Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT)

Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is used mainly to produce polyester resins, fibres and films as well as engineering resins. The polyesters generated are employed in fibres used by the textile industry, the manufacture of food and beverage containers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and polyester film which has applications in photography, computers, audio-visual equipment and packaging.

In the US market, the breakdown for DMT use is solid-state resins at 38%;  polyester fibres, 20%; polyester film, 17%; PBT and PET engineering resins, 12%; and other uses at 13%..

DMT is available in molten (liquid) and flake (solid) forms. The most widely used method of manufacture is based on paraxylene using oxidation and esterification steps.

DMT is stable under normal temperatures and pressures but is a significant dust explosion hazard if in powder or granular form and mixed with air. It degrades in the  atmosphere with an estimated half-life of 28 days.

 

ICIS pricing quotes DMT in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the USA.

NOTE: DMT is covered under the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Intermediates USA report. For details please see the PET methodology entry.

 

Frequency:

Published weekly on Fridays.

 

DMT (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Liquid DMT contract prices.

• FD NWE Monthly (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/MT)

DMT Feedstock Prices

• Methanol FOB RDAM Quarterly Contract (EUR/MT)
• Terephthalic Acid FD NWE Monthly Contract (EUR/MT)

 

DMT (ASIA-PACIFIC)

DMT is covered under the Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)/DMT Asian report. For details please see PTA/DMT methodology entry.

 

General Information:

Assessment window: Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Fridays at 1800 hours in London.

 

Specifications: Prime molten material (liquid) unless otherwise specified.

 

Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four to six weeks forward from the date of publication.

 

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date.

 

Standard cargo size: Assessments reflect values for small, medium and large-size customers.

 

Assessment basis: European contract prices include those settled on a formula basis, directly relating to paraxylene and methanol costs. Following the price assessments there is market commentary which includes details of all confirmed transactions reported, information on the supply/demand balance, import/export news, general sentiment regarding price direction, production information and details on ammonia and sulphur when appropriate. Upstream paraxylene and methanol contract prices are covered, as is information on the downstream  polyethylene terephtalate (PET) market.

 

 

 

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