Methylene chloride, an organic compound, is a volatile liquid with a moderately sweet aroma. The chemical formula of the organic compound is CH2Cl2. The compound is also known as dichloromethane (DCM) and is widely used as a solvent in paint removers. Additionally, DCM is also used in aerosol formulations, which are required in the production of pharmaceuticals, as an ethane foam blowing agent, and as a degreasing agent in the manufacturing of electronics. Furthermore, methylene chloride is also used as a fast-drying solvent cement for polycarbonate.

Moreover, the organic compound also serves as a key solvent in paint and adhesive formulations, due to its low flammability, excellent dissolving strength, and quick-drying properties. As the construction industry is one of the major end-users of paints and adhesives, large-scale development of infrastructure units such as buildings, bridges, and manufacturing units across the world, will fuel the methylene chloride market at a CAGR of 5.4% during 2018–2023. The market was valued at $1,818.3 million in 2017 and it is expected to reach $2,485.5 million revenue by 2023.

Furthermore, the compound is also used as an auxiliary blowing agent in the bedding and furniture industry for producing flexible slabstock polyurethane foam. Apart from the bedding and furniture industry, several other end-use industries have also started using advanced technologies related to blowing agents to conduct research, reduce production costs, and discover more productive ways to meet customer demand efficiently. Thus, the growth of the end-use industries, owing to the economic prosperity of the countries, will propel the need for methylene chloride in the forthcoming years.

According to P&S Intelligence, APAC dominated the methylene chloride market in the recent past, due to the booming population and flourishing infrastructure sector in the region. Moreover, the emergence of new application areas of DCM, rapid penetration of manufacturing units in developing countries, and easy availability of raw material will also boost the production and adoption of the organic compound in the region. Additionally, the booming pharmaceutical sector in APAC will also fuel the consumption of methylene chloride in the forthcoming years.

Thus, the rising construction activities and booming automotive industry will augment the usage of methylene chloride in the foreseeable future.