Methyl Acrylate is also known as the methyl ester of acrylic acid. It is produced by the esterification of acrylic acid with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulphuric acid. Methyl Acrylate is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is added as a copolymer to bring desired properties of hardness, flexibility, strength, and tack. The homopolymer of methyl acrylate has a glass transition temperature of 10 °C, exhibiting properties like rubbery, soft, and tough. Methyl Acrylate is the fourth-largest used ester of acrylic acid after butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate. It is used as a monomer or copolymer to manufacture polymethyl acrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate, MA-co-MAA, Acrylonitrile, and many more. All these materials find their application in coatings, adhesives, paints, inks, sealants, resins, etc.

 Global Methyl Acrylate Demand Supply Analysis - 2016-2032 (Kilo Tons)

Globally Methyl Acrylate is produced by renowned players like BASF, Dow, Arkema, Formosa, LG Chemical and Mitsubishi. Additionally, China has many domestic players involved in the production of methyl acrylate. Currently, the global methyl acrylate capacity stands at 732 Kilo tons. BASF is the largest Methyl Acrylate producer in the world accounting for around 25% of the global capacity with production facility in Germany, Belgium and a JV with YPC in China. Arkema is the second biggest Methyl Acrylate producer with installed capacity of around 85 kilo tons of 2021, accounting for around 12% of the global Methyl Acrylates capacity. Dow Chemical operates a 45 kilo tons Methyl Acrylate plant in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. In 2022, the company added a production facility in Louisiana, USA with a total nameplate capacity of 50 kilotons. to meet the growing North American demand.

Methyl acrylate market in Western Europe is estimated to witness slow growth due to a sluggish end-use industry and the energy crisis caused by COVID, which was further exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine War. Rising utility costs in Europe are prompting manufacturers such as BASF to consider relocating their production facilities to more cost-effective regions worldwide.