Dimethyl Ether Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 To 2025

The global dimethyl ether market is anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. Rising consumer preferences and growing environmental concerns shift toward less hazardous and improved quality are likely to boost the overall market.  DME is a colorless organic compound. Its continuous industry growth is expected to bring key changes in the automobile market. The market will experience change usually by replacing gasoline, diesel, LPG, and kerosene with dimethyl ether over the forecast period.  Moreover, the compound’s clean-burning property is the major factor likely to drive the market.

The constantly growing automobile industry in China will drive the dimethyl ether demand over the forecast period. Also, the easy availability of coal reserves in china will provide benefits to the regional market.  Moreover, there are certain environmental regulations set by the government in the region that will impact the DME development positively. These regulations are mainly against the harmful emission which is estimated to drive the overall market.

The demand-supply scenario in particular regions affects the prices of DME. Replacing diesel, applicable as an aerosol propellant, power generation, and LPG by blending are the chief uses of the DME. The major use of the compound is also in regions that lack LPG accessibility. For the promotion purposes of DME, key producers are taking initiatives that will augment dimethyl ether market demand over the forecast period.

A fuel engine has been developed by AB Volvo recently. These engines are majorly based on DME in alliance with the European Union. There are different technologies required in the production of DME production. One of the key technologies is the use of a fuel injection system. It also requires huge investment and is further expected to emerge as the key concern in the worldwide market. Although, low performance for long-term use of DME is likely to hamper the market growth.

In addition, DME also requires huge development of infrastructure. These developments are mainly for the purpose of distribution. Augmenting demand for DME in several potential countries is projected to provide new opportunities to the market participants. On the basis of raw material, the overall market is segmented into bio-based, natural gas, coal, and methanol.  

The overall market for DME application is segmented into power generation, LPG blending, aerosol propellant, and others. Being the most dominant regional market, Asia Pacific will account for the maximum growth over the coming years.  China consumes more than 85% of the worldwide demand for DME.

LPG has emerged as a major application. Although, the scarcity of LPG in several countries containing fewer gas reserves is a major concern. These regions have limited choices for replacement of LPG with natural gas. To minimize LPG imports, DME has emerged as a trustworthy source in the market.  Blending a pre-described amount of DME attributes to the LPG imports.  Implementation of DME is also in aerosol propellant and under the liquefied gases propellant category.

Dimethyl ether market also finds its applications in welding& brazing operations, chemical feedstock, and refrigerant. With a slight modification in fuel injection systems, DME could further replace diesel in conventional engines. In addition, a Continuous increase in diesel consumption will impact the DME market as a transport fuel. Owing to DME’s rising consumption at a high pace, the overall industry is expected to be chiefly driven by the transportation sector. Furthermore, due to the clean combustion property of DME, the market is likely to undergo high growth over the forecast period. The rising demand for LPG in several countries will assist in raising the demand. Blending 20% DME with LPG for the purposes of household activities will assist in growing demand.

In recent times, there have been numerous DME plant announcements; this is expected to bridge the gap between potential DME demands.  In addition, this also assists in persisting in its supply. In addition, DME industry's long-term growth is projected to be driven by its applications as a fuel for power generation and a diesel substitute. For the development of DME as the diesel substitute, several regulatory bodies are emphasizing novel R&D initiatives.  Furthermore, this will also expand DME on the commercial scale.

Due to the unavailability of export infrastructure and trading norms of DME, the compound is rarely traded among the countries.  Several DME manufacturers are operating their plants at less operating rates instead of having huge plant capacities. These limitations are projected to be lifted by beneficial governmental efforts by 2018. This is anticipated to majorly impact countries like Papua New Guinea, China, and Saudi Arabia.

Japan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia are the regions projected to undergo considerable growth. North America and Europe led the market and are further projected to experience substantial growth over the forecast period. To meet the fast growth in domestic DME demand in several countries like Tobago, Sweden, Trinidad, and Egypt are projected to attract the attention of the key industry players. This will majorly impact the development of DME manufacturing.

The worldwide market for DME is segmented into ENN Group Company, Akzo Nobel N.V, Grillo-Werke AG, Korea Gas Corp, Oberon fuels, The Chemours Company, Jiutai Energy Group, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Zagros Petrochemical Company, China Energy Limited, and Methanex Corp. Two-step processes such as the generation of methanol by using coal and the second production of DME by methanol dehydration is the cost of DME produced currently. Countries such as Saudi Arabia focus and Papua New Guinea are focusing on reforming natural gas to manufacture methanol which is further converted to DME. In addition, coal is utilized as feedstock in several Asian countries.