From 2021 to 2026, China’s methyl methacrylate (MMA) industry entered a phase of rapid capacity expansion, driven by the commissioning of new production units, capacity upgrades from existing manufacturers, and the development of integrated refining and chemical projects.

During this period, domestic MMA production capacity increased by 1.40 million tonnes, rising from 1.555 million tonnes in 2021 to 2.955 million tonnes by October 2026, representing an overall growth of 90.03%. The rapid expansion has significantly reshaped China’s MMA supply structure, regional production distribution, and international trade pattern.

With continuous growth in domestic supply, China’s MMA industry has gradually reduced its dependence on imports and moved toward a more balanced and export-oriented market structure.

China’s MMA Capacity Nearly Doubles Between 2021 and 2026

From 2021 to 2026, China’s MMA production capacity expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 14%, effectively doubling within five years.

As of October 12, 2026, China’s total MMA production capacity reached 2.955 million tonnes, compared with 1.555 million tonnes in 2021.

The capacity expansion mainly came from two sources:

• Expansion of existing MMA producers, especially companies with integrated refining and chemical operations;
• New production projects, which increased market competition and diversified supply sources.

The rapid increase in capacity has brought significant changes to the MMA industry. On one hand, domestic supply availability has improved, increasing the self-sufficiency rate. On the other hand, the market has become more competitive as manufacturers face greater pressure from increased production capacity and changing demand conditions.

Regional Distribution of MMA Capacity Becomes More Diversified

Between 2021 and 2026, MMA capacity expansion was distributed across major chemical production regions, including East China, Shandong, Northeast China, Southwest China, and South China.

Among these regions, East China remained the largest MMA production area, with capacity increasing from 0.54 million tonnes in 2021 to 1.05 million tonnes in 2026, representing a growth of 94.44%.

Shandong ranked second, with capacity rising from 0.425 million tonnes to 0.735 million tonnes, an increase of 72.94%.

Meanwhile, other regions also experienced considerable growth:

• Northeast China: capacity increased from 0.275 million tonnes to 0.475 million tonnes, up 72.73%;
• Southwest China: capacity expanded from 0.225 million tonnes to 0.375 million tonnes, up 66.67%;
• South China: capacity increased from 0.09 million tonnes to 0.21 million tonnes, achieving the highest growth rate of 133.33%.

By October 2026, MMA capacity in East China and Shandong reached 1.785 million tonnes, accounting for approximately 60.41% of China’s total capacity.

The expansion in South China was the most significant in percentage terms, while East China contributed the largest absolute capacity growth. The overall regional development indicates that China’s MMA production network is becoming more diversified, reducing dependence on individual supply regions.

China MMA Market Shifts from Net Importer Toward Net Exporter

The expansion of domestic MMA capacity has also significantly changed China’s international trade structure.

From 2021 to 2026, MMA imports showed a continuous declining trend, while exports increased steadily. During this period:

• MMA imports recorded an estimated CAGR of -20%;
• MMA exports achieved an estimated CAGR of 16%.

This transformation was mainly driven by several factors:

1. Rapid growth in domestic production capacity;
2. Higher domestic self-sufficiency rate;
3. Reduced dependence on overseas supply;
4. Increasing export opportunities for Chinese producers.

With the continuous improvement of domestic supply capability, China’s MMA self-sufficiency rate is expected to reach approximately 122% in 2026, marking a fundamental shift from a traditionally import-dependent market toward an export-oriented market.

Future Outlook: Supply Growth Remains a Key Price Factor

The rapid expansion of MMA production capacity has significantly influenced China’s supply-demand balance and market structure.

As domestic supply continues to increase, competition among producers is expected to intensify. At the same time, export activities will become an increasingly important factor affecting market circulation and price trends.

Going forward, MMA price movements will remain closely linked to:

• Domestic capacity utilization;
• Downstream demand recovery;
• Regional supply changes;
• Import and export dynamics.

The expansion of China’s MMA industry not only changes the domestic supply pattern but also strengthens China’s role in the global MMA market.