Dimethyl Ether Market Size & Share 2021 to 2027
Market Size by Raw Material (Fossil Fuel-based, Bio-based), Application (LPG Blending, Aerosol Propellant, Transportation Fuel, Industrial), Regional Outlook, Application Growth Potential, & Forecast.
Download Free PDF

Dimethyl Ether Market Size
Dimethyl Ether Market size was $5.20 billion in 2020 and will grow at a CAGR of 9.7% while reaching 9,454 Kilo Tons from 2021 to 2027 owing to the rising demand for cleaner transportation fuel.
Dimethyl ether is a clean energy source, which can be manufactured from fossil fuels such as petroleum residue, coal bed methane, natural gas, and coal. Fossil fuel-based dimethyl ether is obtained from the dead remains of plants and animals, whereas bio-based dimethyl ether is manufactured using renewable materials including biomass, waste & agricultural products, which are produced as synthetic gas, also known as syngas, to be transformed to DME.
DME has major applications in LPG blending as it is widely used in domestic heating & cooking, thus encouraging a cleaner source of energy generation. Increasing DME applications in LPG blending, primarily in India and China, have been driving the dimethyl ether market share during the forecast period. To reduce harmful emissions from the environment, governments and regional regulatory organizations are encouraging the use of renewable energy sources for domestic purposes.
Additionally, dimethyl ether demand in China is driven due to its applications in LPG blending as it results in low soot and NOx emissions in the environment, which will improve the overall quality of the environment. The global LPG Association is making progress toward a single standard for LPG and DME blends, in terms of handling and allowable percentage of DME.
Furthermore, DME is gaining momentum as an alternative transportation fuel for diesel owing to its better ignition in compressed engines. It is cleaner, possesses propane-like properties, and has the potential to replace diesel in heavy-duty applications. Strong growth in the sales of heavy trucks and vehicles will accelerate the overall dimethyl ether market growth during the forecast period.
Dimethyl Ether Market Analysis
The fossil fuel-based segment held a revenue share of around 90% in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% from 2021 to 2027 due to the significant availability of recoverable coal & natural gas reserves, which can be utilized to produce DME. Additionally, DME is used in widespread applications such as aerosol propellants, LPG blending, transportation fuel, and other industrial applications including blowing agents in insulation panels & refrigerants, fuel in welding & cutting, and as a solvent extracting agent.
Additionally, the easy availability of natural gas as a result of technological developments, which are attributable to significant R&D expenditure in the oil & gas industry will assist the fossil fuel-based dimethyl ether market to achieve promising gains by 2027.
LPG blending segment accounted for over 50% of revenue share in 2020 and is anticipated to generate a revenue of over $5,053 million by 2027. The rising need to reduce harmful emissions is one of the key factors driving the dimethyl ether market sales in LPG blending, especially in China. LPG usage in residential heating and cooking has been a major source of hazardous pollutants in the environment. This can be reduced by blending LPG with DME, which is added to a volume concentration of 15 - 20% and is a realistic way to add value to LPG used for domestic purposes.
The transportation fuel segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of around 13.6% through 2027. DME is eco-friendly and cost-effective compared to conventional transportation fuels owing to its comparable cetane number and ignition point. The prevalence of soot, particulate matters, and other pollutants in the atmosphere, primarily due to diesel vehicles, is building up greenhouse gases emissions and hence regional regulatory bodies are encouraging the usage of DME as an alternative transportation fuel.
Europe dimethyl ether market was valued at USD 125 million in 2020 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2021 to 2027. The need to replace conventional fuels, such as diesel, is primarily due to stringent regulations imposed on high-emission fuels in Europe. For instance, the European Commission has adopted emission regulations as a part of the EU framework for the approval of light- and heavy-duty vehicles. To achieve sustainable mobility in Europe, regulatory agencies are supporting the use of cleaner transportation fuels.
Dimethyl Ether Market Share
Some of the major players operating in the dimethyl ether industry include
among others. Key players operating in the market are focusing on expanding their offerings and production capacities. For instance, in June 2021, Oberon Fuels started the commercial production of renewable DME in the U.S. and it remains the world's only commercial production firm of this molecule.
The dimethyl ether market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in kilo tons and revenue in USD million from 2021 to 2027 for the following segments:
Click here to Buy Section of this Report
By Raw Material
By Application
The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →