The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) states that 1,427,074 vehicles, 3,506,774 vehicles, 447,218 vehicles, 3,176,600 vehicles, 691,286 vehicles, 3,394,446 vehicles, 25,225,242 vehicles, and 2,014,055 vehicles were manufactured in Thailand, South Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, India, China, and Brazil, respectively. The surging automobile production in developing countries is creating an extensive requirement for paints and adhesives, owing to which the consumption of methylene chloride will rise in the foreseeable future. For example, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Government of South Australia, is working on Adelaide's North-South Corridor, Former Royal Adelaide Hospital, Granite Island Causeway Project, and Riverbank Entertainment Precinct.

Moreover, the surging requirement for auxiliary blowing agents will also accelerate the consumption of methylene chloride in the upcoming years. This compound is being used as an auxiliary blowing agent in the production of flexible slabstock polyurethane foam in the furniture and bedding industry because it provides softer foam than fluorocarbon. Additionally, the usage of methylene chloride as an auxiliary agent helps several end-use industries conduct research, reduce production costs, and explore numerous productive ways to cater to the needs of customers efficiently.

In addition to foam production, methylene chloride, a colorless and volatile liquid with a sweet aroma, is also used in the metal cleaning, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage sectors. Thus, the increasing consumption of packaged food products due to the soaring global population, and the rising need for pharmaceutical products because of the growing prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases, will also result in the largescale consumption of methylene chloride, worldwide. For instance, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) forecasts that the world population will rise from 7.7 million in 2019 to 9.7 billion by 2050.

To cater to the needs of the pharmaceutical, paint and adhesives, food and beverage, and metal sectors, Akzo Nobel N.V., INEOS Group Holding S.A, LOTTE Fine Chemical, Eastman Chemical Company, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, PJSC Khimprom, Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Olin Corporation, and KEM ONE are producing methylene chloride. Additionally, these companies also offer their products to the electronics industry, as it uses this organic compound as a solvent in paint removers.

Globally, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) led the methylene chloride market in the recent past. This was on account of the booming population, the flourishing pharmaceutical industry due to the surging focus of governments on providing health services at affordable prices, and the growing infrastructure sector in the region. Additionally, the widening production base, increasing number of industrial plants in developing countries, and expanding application bases, such as metal cleaning and food and beverages, will also facilitate the consumption of methyl chloride in the region.

SOURCE: P&S Intelligence