The global dimethyl carbonate market was valued at US$390.5 million in 2014 and is projected to reach US$690.1 million by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2015 to 2023.

Expansion of polycarbonate industry and increasing demand in paints & coatings industry is expected to drive the dimethyl carbonate market during the forecast period. Polycarbonate is synthesized from dimethyl carbonate and bisphenol A through a non-phosgene process. Emerging economies in Asia Pacific are likely to be the major markets for electronics due to modernization and increase in disposable income of people. However, restrictive licensing policies and difficulty in implementation of advanced technology could hamper market growth. Existing license providers for dimethyl carbonate manufacturing technology have adopted the policy of restrictive licensing and provided the technology mostly to polycarbonate manufacturers. This could hinder market growth in the near future. Additionally, dimethyl carbonate is expected to be used as an oxygenate additive for diesel fuels due to its high oxygen content, good solubility, and ecofriendly properties in the near future.

The polycarbonate segment accounted for more than 50% share of the global dimethyl carbonate market in 2014. Solvent was the second-largest segment of the global dimethyl carbonate market in 2014. It is estimated to expand at a high rate during the forecast period. The others segment includes methylating agents.

Asia Pacific was the largest market for dimethyl carbonate in terms of volume in 2014. It was followed by Europe and North America. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period. The dimethyl carbonate market in the region is likely to expand at a significant rate due to rising demand for polycarbonate in electronics and automotive applications. The dimethyl carbonate market in Middle East & Africa and Latin America is likely to witness modest growth during the forecast period.