- Butyl Acrylate prices moved upward in April-May, but the wider Q2 tone softened later as feedstock costs weakened and buyers stayed cautious.
- Feedstock support was strongest early in Q2 from crude and propylene, before acrylic acid, n-butanol, propylene, and crude corrected sharply.
- Downstream demand from coatings, adhesives, sealants, and acrylic ester users remained moderate, with need-based buying limiting stronger price momentum.
Asia
In China, the prices of Butyl Acrylate were ~RMB 7.76/kg in April and ~RMB 7.96/kg in May, showing a ~2.5% increase. The rise was mainly carried by early-quarter cost support from crude and propylene, which lifted producer offers despite weakness in acrylic acid and n-butanol. However, the price strength looked fragile because feedstock pressure faded by May and became clearly bearish in June. Acrylic acid, n-butanol, propylene, and crude all moved lower, reducing the cost floor for butyl acrylate. Downstream demand from adhesives, coatings, and other acrylic ester users stayed cautious, with operating rates near the mid-50% range and buying focused on essential orders.
Europe
Europe’s butyl acrylate market was more policy-supported than demand-supported in Q2 2026. The region faced import-cost risk after the acrylic esters anti-dumping case moved forward and imports of butyl acrylate from several origins became subject to registration from late May. This increased uncertainty for buyers using imported material. However, downstream demand was not strong enough to create a clear bullish cycle. Industrial production rose only slightly in April, while building construction remained weak, limiting consumption from architectural paints, construction adhesives, sealants, and packaging-linked coatings. Trade risk supported sentiment, but weak end-use buying capped stronger movement.
North America
In the United States, the prices of Butyl Acrylate were ~USD 1,224.22/MT in April and ~USD 1,295.03/MT in the following month. The butyl acrylate price curve displayed a ~5.8% increase during the period. The rise was supported by early feedstock strength and export-market uncertainty linked to the European acrylic esters registration process, which reduced flexibility for suppliers targeting Europe. Domestic demand, however, was not strong. Manufacturing output was flat in May after improving in April, and capacity utilization stayed below its long-run average. This kept butyl acrylate demand from coatings, adhesives, sealants, and acrylic polymers steady but not aggressive.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, in the near term, butyl acrylate prices may face pressure if feedstock weakness continues. Trade-policy risk in Europe could limit downside, but stronger demand is needed for a sustained recovery.