Price trend
According to data from the SunSirs Commodity Market Analysis System, as of March 25, the average quoted price for domestic premium-grade DMF stood at 5,480 RMB/ton. DMF market prices have surged significantly in recent weeks, climbing from 3,940 RMB/ton at the beginning of March to the current level of 5,480 RMB/ton—a range now situated at an annual high. This wave of price appreciation has been driven primarily by a short-term improvement in the supply-demand balance and positive market sentiment; however, the industry's fundamental long-term landscape—characterized by "overcapacity and weak demand"—remained fundamentally unchanged.
Market analysis
Market Overview: Methanol prices were trending lower. Since the beginning of 2026, the methanol market has witnessed weakness in both supply and demand; prices have fluctuated downward, offering limited cost support for DMF production. Dimethylamine supply was highly concentrated, produced primarily by major enterprises such as Hualu Hengsheng and Luxi Chemical; consequently, the industry exhibited a high degree of concentration, and prices remained relatively stable. Regarding the trend toward a green transition: as the "Dual Carbon" initiative advances, novel low-carbon processes—such as the synthesis of DMF using CO₂—are gaining attention and may potentially reshape the raw material landscape in the future.
Demand Side: Polyurethane Synthetic Leather (PU Slurry)—Declining Share, Yet Still the Dominant Force: This sector historically accounted for half of all DMF consumption; while its share peaked at 59% in 2021, it had declined to approximately 42% by 2025. Impacted by the substitution effects of water-based and solvent-free technologies, as well as sluggish demand in downstream markets—such as footwear, apparel, and luggage—demand growth for DMF in this segment has slowed to less than 2%, entering a phase characterized by competition over existing market share. Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Intermediates—Inelastic Demand and Steady Growth: As a critical solvent in organic reactions, DMF plays an irreplaceable role in the synthesis of antibiotics, anti-tumor drugs, and pesticides. By 2025, this sector's share of total consumption rose to 28%, driven by continuously increasing demand for high-purity (pharmaceutical-grade) products and an accelerating trend toward domestic substitution. Electronic Chemicals—The Primary Growth Engine: This sector boasts an impressive average annual growth rate of 18.5%.
Market Outlook:
According to analysts at SunSirs, the DMF market is maintaining its current trajectory; upside potential is limited, and the market as a whole is operating in a state of supply-demand equilibrium.
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