Mg · C5H8O2

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

A key intermediate in acrylics and coatings, with pricing driven by feedstocks, production routes, and downstream demand in construction, automotive, and consumer applications.

Industrial·Acrylics·Coatings
CCH3CCCOOCH3
01 · Overview

A core intermediate in the acrylic value chain

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is a critical building block in the production of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and other acrylic-based materials. Its market is shaped by a combination of feedstock availability, production technology, and demand across multiple end-use industries.

PMMAAcrylic glassCoatingsAdhesives
02 · Production

Multiple production routes, distinct cost structures

MMA can be produced through several industrial pathways, each with different feedstock dependencies and cost profiles.

C2 · Cheapest
C2H4MeOHNatGasMMA

C2 Route

Ethylene-based deployed at scale in the US

C3 · Legacy
AcetoneHCNACHMMA

C3 Route Acetone

Acetone cyanohydrin environmental pressure

C3 · Emerging
PropMAAMMA

C3 Route Propylene

Lower impact relevance in C3-integrated regions

C4 · Expensive
iButeneOxid.MMA

C4 Route

Isobutylene integrated with refinery streams

C2 Route (Ethylene-based)

  • Uses ethylene, methanol, and natural gas-derived inputs
  • Designed for lower emissions and improved efficiency
  • Implemented at large scale in the United States
  • Cheapest route

C3 Route 1 (Acetone-based)

  • Based on acetone cyanohydrin
  • Dependent on acetone and hydrogen cyanide
  • Historically dominant but facing environmental pressure

C3 Route 2 (Propylene-based)

  • Uses propylene-derived intermediates
  • Increasing relevance in regions with strong C3 integration
  • Lower environmental impact compared to ACH

C4 Route (Isobutylene-based)

  • Based on isobutylene oxidation
  • Integrated with refinery and petrochemical streams
  • Competitive where C4 availability is strong
  • Most expensive route
What this means

Different regions and producers operate on different cost curves depending on feedstock exposure.

03 · Pricing

Cyclical behavior across regions

MMA markets exhibit strong cyclical patterns, influenced by both feedstock volatility and downstream demand shifts.

  • Feedstock costs (propylene, acetone, isobutylene)
  • Energy prices and utilities
  • Capacity utilization and outages
  • Regional supply-demand imbalances
  • Downstream demand (PMMA, coatings, adhesives)
MMA spot price USD/MT
AsiaEuropeUS
20202021202220232024
Live data in the Chematrics platform
04 · Applications

Widely used across industrial and consumer sectors

MMA is primarily used in the production of acrylic materials, with applications across multiple industries.

PMMA

Acrylic glass

Coatings

Paints & finishes

Adhesives

& sealants

Automotive

Components

Construction

Building materials

05 · Producers

Global production concentrated in integrated players

US
EU
ME
Asia
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MMA production is dominated by large chemical companies with integrated feedstock access and regional advantages.

Major producers

  • Mitsubishi Chemical Group
  • Röhm GmbH
  • Dow Inc.
  • Sumitomo Chemical

Regional dynamics

  • Asia: largest production capacity, mainly focused on the C4 route consequently, Asia is the swing production capacity
  • Europe: mature but constrained mainly an import market
  • US: integrated with petrochemical chains mainly balanced
  • Middle East: large production capacity mainly export market
06 · Market insight

Understanding MMA beyond price

To assess MMA markets effectively, pricing must be interpreted within its structural context.

Chematrics enables users to:

  • link MMA pricing to feedstock movements
  • compare regional cost positions
  • analyze margin pressure across production routes
  • monitor real market activity through bids and offers
chematrics.com / platform / products / mma
Price (USD/MT)2,140 +2.3%
Feedstock: Acetone$820 -0.8%
Regional margin (C4 route)
Asia 78%EU 54%US 66%
Market activity (last 24h)12 bids · 7 offers · 3 matched
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07 · Next step

See live market activity for this product.

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