Dichloromethane (DCM, Methylene Chloride, CH₂Cl₂) — Prices Achieve Notable Q2 Rebound, Rising Over 14% in Early May from Supply Tightness and Solid Costs

The dichloromethane (DCM, methylene chloride) market exhibited notable volatility in Q2 2026, with a sharp early-May rebound followed by a late-month retreat. AcCording to SunSirs, the domestic dichloromethane market experienced a sharp decline in the second half of April 2026, with Shandong bulk mixed price dropping to 2,035 RMB per ton by April 29, representing a 17.19 percent decline from the beginning of the month. The selloff was driven by building supply inventories, muted post-holiday restocking, and cautious demand from downstream pharmaceutical and paint sectors.

However, the market experienced a dramatic reversal in early May. According to a Dichloromethane Weekly Report, the domestic DCM market surged more than 14 percent in the first week of May, ranking among the top three chemical sector gainers with a weekly increase exceeding 11 percent. The rally was supported by post-holiday cost strengthening, concentrated price hikes by leading producers, low inventory levels, and continuously rising prices. Trading activity revived as buyers returned to the market. From March through the early May peak, Shandong area dichloromethane had risen to 3,200–3,300 RMB per ton factory pickup by the May high, representing an increase of approximately 89.5 percent from late February.

The rally moderated later in May. According to SunSirs data, the market exhibited a pattern of rise followed by decline, characterized by weak consolidation in the second half of the month. The earlier May increase of over 14 percent was partially reversed as downstream buyers adopted a wait-and-see attitude on higher prices and supply tightened from planned producer maintenance. By late May, Shandong dichloromethane prices had settled in the 2,000–2,250 RMB per ton range.

Dichloromethane is one of the four primary chloromethane products, alongside methyl chloride, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. The global chloromethane market is projected to reach approximately 1.66 billion USD in revenue by 2032, growing at a 2.6 percent CAGR. Dichloromethane, a colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet odor, is widely used as an industrial solvent in paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and metal cleaning, as well as a feedstock for refrigerant production.

For procurement professionals searching for "dichloromethane price per ton," "methylene chloride solvent supplier," or "DCM industrial gas price," the outlook is one of continued volatility driven by raw material costs and producer supply decisions.

Sources: SunSirs, April–May 2026; Shandong Chemical Industry Network, April 30, 2026; Mysteel, May 10, 2026