Core Sentence: Domestic DMC stays firm at 14,300 RMB/ton; methanol’s 57% surge and crosslinking agent’s sharp rise further boost cost pressure, with downstream stockpiling heating up and April price hike expectation becoming more clear.
As of March 31, 2026, the mainstream transaction price of domestic silicone monomer dimethyl cyclosiloxane (DMC) remains firm at 14,300 RMB/ton (tax-inclusive, delivered), unchanged from the previous trading day, but the market bullish sentiment has further intensified. Leading monomer factories, including Hesheng Silicon Industry and Dongyue Silicon Materials, maintain strong price support, with some high-end brand quotations reaching 15,400 RMB/ton, and no room for price negotiation. With the March closing approaching, the silicone market has achieved a strong finish, laying a foundation for the "Silver April" market.
The stable operation of DMC prices is supported by multiple positive factors. On the cost side, methanol prices have surged sharply recently, driven by geopolitical conflicts and tight supply. As of March 30, methanol quotation has reached 3,460 RMB/ton, a surge of 57.27% from the beginning of the month, which significantly pushes up the production cost of silicone monomer. Meanwhile, butanone prices have soared by 3,000 RMB/ton, with manufacturers’ arrival prices rising to 14,800–15,000 RMB/ton, leading to a continuous rise in crosslinking agents, with many manufacturers closing their plates or negotiating prices on a case-by-case basis. On the supply side, the 35% industry-wide emission reduction and production restriction policy implemented since March continues to be strictly enforced in major silicone-producing provinces such as Sichuan and Shandong, and monomer factories’ overall operating rate remains below 70%. It is expected that the operating rate will drop to 65% or below in April, further tightening supply.
Downstream demand performance is active: sealant, silicone rubber, and other manufacturers have accelerated inventory preparation ahead of the April industry conference, as the market generally expects monomer factories to announce a new round of price hikes after the conference. Affected by the clear upward trend of raw materials, some downstream enterprises that failed to stock up at low prices have to purchase at high prices for rigid demand, while most enterprises adopt a strategy of small-batch and on-demand purchasing due to cautious sentiment. According to market feedback, some large downstream sealant factories have stocked nearly 1,000 tons of DMC in recent days, and the overall trading volume of the market has increased significantly. Industry analysts point out that with the continuous cost support and tight supply pattern, DMC prices are expected to shift from stability to steady growth in April, with the price center moving upward steadily.
Shenzhen Hong Ye Jie Technology Co., Ltd
