Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
The manufacture of MMA consumed 1.5% of the 111.8 million metric tonnes of methanol produced in 2024. MMA is the commercially prominent member of the chemical family of methacrylic esters, which are typically monomers used in the polymerisation to acrylic plastics. Methacrylate polymers are prized for their clarity, colourability, colour compatibility, weatherability and ultraviolet light stability, allowing them to have both indoor and outdoor applications. These plastics are generally mature in their development but continue to find unique applications that support their growth.
| MMA Derivative | End use applications |
|---|---|
| Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) | Impact resistant glass replacement ("organic" glass) Molded / extruded goods (e.g. car tail lights) |
| MMA-Styrene-Butadiene ter-polymers | PVC impact modifiers |
Growth in MMA demand typically follows gasoline demand growth on a global basis. Asia accounts for more than half of world supply and demand and China more than half of Asian demand. Global growth in MTBE demand will predominantly be in China.
MMA can be made from a variety of different production technologies, with the predominant commercial method utilising a C3 process. Other more competitive processes have been developed with isobutylene and ethylene. MMSA maintains economic snapshots of MMA production costs.
MMA trade is currently characterised by imports into China, Korea, Taiwan and several SEA countries. Japan and Southeast Asia are major exporters and China is a dominant MMA importer. The US is a net exporter of MMA. PMMA and other MMA derivatives are also traded in large quantities, typically as part of prefabricated parts made in developed countries. A trade matrix showing MMA trade by MMSA region and country listings can be provided to clients separately.
MMSA maintains a detailed global database of MMA producers and consumers, as well as global supply and demand balances and forecasts through 2050.
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