CBOT corn futures fell on September 22 as US corn crop conditions improved, with 57% of the crop rated good to excellent. Argentina's 2026/27 corn production was forecast higher at 66 million tons, up from 64 million tons the prior year, adding downward pressure on prices.
Corn basis is weakening across the Corn Belt as harvest accelerates, with the seasonal low typically occurring when roughly half the crop has been brought in. The average basis decline reaches around 11 cents per bushel at the Corn Belt level, with deeper losses of up to 19 cents per bushel in Illinois and other central/eastern states, directly reducing the effective price farmers receive for spot sales. Basis is expected to recover only after harvest passes the three-quarter completion mark, meaning near-term cash prices face continued downward pressure relative to futures.
Asia
During the second half of 2025, Ethyl-tert-butyl Ether prices in Asia mostly followed a weak to downward trend. The market was affected by soft demand from the fuel blending sector, as buyers relied on existing inventories and avoided aggressive procurement. Feedstock availability remained comfortable, with sufficient supply of isobutylene and stable ethanol flows, which kept production running smoothly. After the holiday period, buying interest stayed muted, and sellers faced pressure to clear volumes. Even though some production units adjusted operating rates toward the end of the year, the impact on prices was limited. Overall consumption remained below expectations, and supply levels continued to outweigh demand.
Europe
In Europe, ETBE prices remained largely stable with a slight downward bias during H2’25. Demand from the gasoline blending sector stayed moderate, as fuel consumption growth remained slow. Buyers preferred short-term purchases and avoided stock building amid economic uncertainty. Production levels stayed balanced, supported by steady availability of ethanol and isobutylene feedstocks. Raw material costs showed limited movement, which prevented any strong price shifts. While the market avoided sharp declines, it also lacked positive momentum. As a result, prices moved within a narrow range and ended the period on a stable but weak note.
North America
The North American ETBE market showed mostly stable conditions in the second half of 2025. Demand remained steady but unspectacular, with fuel blenders continuing cautious buying patterns. Supply was well managed, and producers avoided excess inventory buildup. Temporary tightening in feedstock availability provided short-lived support, but this was quickly offset by modest downstream demand. Trading activity remained limited, and buyers focused mainly on near-term requirements. Overall, the market stayed balanced, with only minor fluctuations observed during the said period.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, ETBE prices are expected to remain mostly stable, with market depending on fuel demand trends and feedstock supply changes.
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Asia
In the first half of 2025, the ETBE market in Asia stayed mostly weak. This trend was shaped by low demand from fuel and petrochemical sectors, especially with the summer blending season not offering much support. Many buyers remained cautious due to economic uncertainties and weak gasoline consumption across several countries.
Inventory levels were high, and producers were unable to reduce supply enough to balance the market. Even with some supply-side support from scheduled plant maintenance in the Middle East, the overall sentiment in Asia stayed soft. Weakness in the broader energy and chemical markets also kept pressure on ETBE prices during this period.
Europe
In Europe, ETBE prices also moved lower throughout the first half of 2025. The region faced a similar problem of slow demand and oversupply. Gasoline blending activities remained limited, and the fuel sector did not show signs of strong recovery. Structural changes in the market, such as overcapacity and old refinery closures, also created long-term uncertainty.
Many European buyers cut down on fresh contracts and avoided stocking up due to unclear demand prospects. This led to a sluggish market with more product available than needed, putting downward pressure on prices. Even planned outages at a few facilities did not bring much relief to the oversupplied market.
North America
In North America, ETBE prices had an unstable start to the year but remained mostly under pressure through the first half. At the beginning of the year, harsh winter weather briefly affected refinery operations and caused short-term supply issues. However, production quickly returned to normal, and inventories built up again.
Refiners faced reduced blending demand as gasoline consumption dipped after the winter and remained soft into early spring. Later, during the pre-summer blending season, there was some pickup in activity, but not enough to lift overall sentiment. Trade issues and weak export interest also played a part in keeping prices down. The U.S. market saw a mix of local and international challenges, making it hard for ETBE prices to rise.
Ethyl-Tert-butyl Ether (ETBE) is a highly flammable volatile organic compound. It is a clear to light-yellow-colored liquid and belongs to the class of ethers. It is used in place of ethanol during the production of gasoline from crude oil as it provides greater air quality and is less challenging logistically and technically. It is a common irritant, and prolonged exposure causes damage to the eyes and skin.
C6H14O
Fuel Additives, Oxygenates, Chemical Substrates
ETBE, 2-Ethoxy-2-methylpropane, Ethyl tertiary butyl ether, tert-Butyl ethyl ether, Ethyl t-butyl ether
Evonik Industries AG, Exxon Mobil Corporation., China National Petroleum Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell PLC., Reliance Industries Limited., LyondellBasell Industries N.V
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Acidic etherification of the isobutylene and ethanol is carried out in the presence of ion-exchange resin, which functions as the catalyst. The reaction is carried out in fixed bed reactors at a temperature of 30–110 °C and a pressure of 0.8–1.3 MPa.
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