Methylene Chloride Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Application (Paints & Coatings, Chemical Processing, Foam Manufacturing, Metal Cleaning, Others), By End-User Industry (Food & Beverage, Transportation, Building & Construction, Pharmaceuticals, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The methylene chloride market was valued at US$2.991 billion in 2021.

Methylene chloride is a colorless, volatile organic compound with a pleasant smell. Methylene chloride is widely used in industrial and commercial applications, including paint stripping, degreasing, and as a solvent in various chemical processes. It is a highly efficient solvent for many organic compounds and is often used in producing pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food products. One of the main advantages of methylene chloride is its ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds. As such, it is utilized for many industrial processes, such as paint stripping and degreasing. Methylene chloride removes old paint from metal, wood, and other surfaces in the paint stripping industry. It is also used in the textile industry to remove sizing from fabrics. It is used as a solvent for flavoring and other food additives in the food industry.

However, methylene chloride can harm human health if not used properly. Inhalation of its vapors can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and even loss of consciousness. Prolonged exposure to methylene chloride can also lead to liver and kidney damage and may even cause cancer. Due to these health risks, many countries have regulated the methylene chloride production.

Market Drivers:

• Growing demand in the painting and coating industry

Methylene chloride is widely used in the paint and coating industry as a solvent for stripping old paint from surfaces. With the growth of the construction industry and increasing demand for renovation and remodeling, the demand for methylene chloride in this sector is expected to grow. Methylene chloride is also used in the production of paint and coating formulations as a viscosity regulator and a cleaning agent for equipment used in the production process. Additionally, methylene chloride has low toxicity, making it a preferred choice in the paint and coating industry.

• Increasing demand in the pharmaceutical industry

Methylene chloride is used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry to extract active ingredients from plants and other materials. The demand for natural and herbal medicines is rising, driving the demand for methylene chloride in this sector. Methylene chloride is also used to produce pharmaceutical intermediates, which are used as starting materials in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

• Health concerns and increasing competition from substitutes hinder the growth of the methylene chloride market.

Methylene chloride exposure has been linked to several health concerns, including cancer, liver damage, skin irritation, and respiratory problems. Additionally, methylene chloride-related fatalities have been reported among workers using the chemical in confined spaces without adequate ventilation. These health concerns have led to increased scrutiny of the use of methylene chloride in various industries and have spurred efforts to find safer alternatives. Several substitutes for methylene chloride are gaining traction in various industries. For example, many paint strippers now use safer alternatives such as soy-based products, which are bio-based and environmentally friendly.

Market Developments:

• In May 2022, Ardena, a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), completed an investment in dry granulation technology and enhanced its spray drying capabilities at its Pamplona site in Spain. With the recent upgrades to its dry granulation and spray drying capacities, Ardena can deliver a more comprehensive range of options to biopharmaceutical clients requiring solubility enhancement, including those employing solvents such as methylene chloride in their production procedures.
• In June 2022, Eco Safety Products (ESP) acquired Soy Technologies, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals based in Lexington, KY. ESP obtained all of Soy Technologies' remaining brands and intellectual property, with plans to manufacture the current products at its facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. The acquisition aligns with ESP's strategy to produce eco-friendly paints, stains, sealers, coatings, and cleaning chemicals using bio-based chemical technologies. Soy Technologies' SoyGreen brand, a bio-based methylene chloride-free paint, adhesive, and coatings stripper line, was also integrated into ESP's offerings.

Europe accounted for a significant share of the global methylene chloride market.

Based on geography, the methylene chloride market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The European methylene chloride market is expected to grow significantly during the projected period due to the increasing demand from the paint and coating industry. The region is home to some of the world's leading paint and coating manufacturers, and methylene chloride is used as a solvent in these products. Furthermore, the stringent environmental regulations in the region are driving the demand for more environmentally friendly solvents, which is likely to increase the demand for bio-based methylene chloride.

Methylene Chloride Market Scope:

Market Segmentation:

• BY APPLICATION
  • Paints & Coatings
  • Chemical Processing
  • Foam Manufacturing
  • Metal Cleaning
  • Others
• BY END-USER INDUSTRY
  • Food & Beverage
  • Transportation
  • Building & Construction
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Others
• BY GEOGRAPHY
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Others
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East And Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Taiwan
    • Others