Methacrylic acid and its salts market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Production of methacrylic acid and its salts in Germany was impacted in 2018 when BASF declared force majeure at its Ludwigshafen plant due to low water levels on the River Rhine, disrupting output. This contributed to a drop in production value to $105.9 million in 2019 from $135.7 million the previous year. Subsequent announcements of plant closures and capacity reductions by major producers like BASF further constrained supply chains in the following years.

The market recovered strongly from 2020 to 2022, with production value rising to $161.8 million and the domestic market size reaching $107.5 million in 2022. This growth coincided with a global consumption peak for methacrylic acid, where Germany accounted for 39% of world consumption and 47% of production, driven by demand from key downstream industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics.

After the 2022 peak, the market contracted as industry restructuring took hold. Evonik moved to streamline its business and announced the discontinuation of ketoacid production in Hanau by end-2025, while the German chemical-pharmaceutical sector operated at around 75% capacity utilization, leading to further plant closures. In 2024, new regulatory measures, including levies on single-use plastic producers affecting packaging requirements, added pressure alongside high production costs and competitive challenges, resulting in a stagnant market.

Production methacrylic acid and its salts in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Germany's methacrylic acid and its salts production reached its peak value at 135.7 million US dollars, marking a significant 12.5% increase. The following year, 2019, saw the lowest output at 105.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 21.9%. By 2020, production rebounded to 118.2 million US dollars, showing a robust year-on-year growth of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports methacrylic acid and its salts from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of methacrylic acid and its salts experienced a two-year decline before recovering in 2020. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 193 tonnes, which represented a substantial 12.4% drop. In 2020, exports rose to 27 900 tonnes, reflecting a strong 10.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for Germany's methacrylic acid and its salts exports by volume. France accounted for 45.6% of total exports, Italy for 16.0%, and the United Kingdom for 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 76.6% of Germany's total export volume during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's exports of methacrylic acid and its salts by value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 72 067 thousand US dollars, which included a notable 10.6% increase. In 2019, exports fell sharply by 20.9%, followed by a further 11.1% decrease in 2020 to 50 700 thousand US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export values dropped by 22.2%, with an average annual decline of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom dominated Germany's methacrylic acid and its salts exports by value. France represented 44.3% of total export value, Italy 16.1%, and the United Kingdom 15.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 75.5% of Germany's total export revenue from this product.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports methacrylic acid and its salts to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of methacrylic acid and its salts by volume showed mixed trends from 2017 to 2020. The lowest import volume occurred in 2018 at 3 399 tonnes, while 2019 saw the highest at 5 465 tonnes, marking a significant 60.8% increase. In 2020, imports decreased to 4 013 tonnes, down 26.6% from the previous year. Over the entire period, imports grew by 12.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the main sources of methacrylic acid and its salts imports to Germany by volume. Belgium supplied 37.0% of total imports, the Netherlands 26.1%, and the United Kingdom 17.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.2% of Germany's total import volume during this timeframe.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of methacrylic acid and its salts by value declined in 2020. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 14 723 thousand US dollars, following a 30.5% increase in 2018. In 2020, imports fell sharply to 8 527 thousand US dollars, down 42.1% from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the key suppliers for Germany's methacrylic acid and its salts imports by value. These three markets together accounted for 73.4% of Germany's total import expenditure on this product during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020