Isobutanol Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Isobutanol in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Isobutanol Price Trend for October-December of 2023

Asia

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Asian isobutanol price trend experienced a noteworthy shift in its trajectory. Beginning the quarter with a price of 9066 RMB/ton, the market initially faced downward pressure due to fluctuating demand and competitive market dynamics. However, as the quarter progressed, a gradual recovery was observed, fueled by increased demand in key sectors like manufacturing and automotive, along with a growing preference for sustainable chemicals.

Isobutanol Price Chart

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By the end of December, the isobutanol market had not only stabilized but showed signs of an upward trend in prices. This positive shift was a result of balanced supply-demand dynamics and strategic stockpiling by manufacturers in anticipation of heightened end-of-year production activities. The quarter concluded with a cautiously optimistic outlook for the isobutanol market, reflecting its resilience and adaptability to both regional and global economic influences.

Europe

The fourth quarter of isobutanol price trend saw a mixed trend throughout the quarter. In November 2023, the European Iso-butanol market exhibited a significant rebound, primarily influenced by the strategic price adjustments made by key industry players. This shift was a response to the escalating costs of raw materials, notably propylene, which is integral to Iso-butanol production.

The uptick in demand from the automotive sector further bolstered the market. With substantial growth in automotive sales and an increase in vehicle registrations, the demand for Iso-butanol, used extensively in solvents and coatings, surged. This revival in the European Iso-butanol market was a reflection of both the region's adaptive pricing strategies to counter rising production costs and the robust demand from key industrial sectors.

North America

In the fourth quarter of 2023, isobutanol price trend exhibited noteworthy fluctuation. The North American Iso-butanol market in November 2023 paralleled the global trend of rising prices, largely due to similar factors affecting the European market.

The increase in prices initiated by major producers, including a +80 USD/mt rise by OQ Chemicals, was a direct consequence of the growing costs of raw materials like propylene. In the USA, the demand from the automotive industry, a major consumer of Iso-butanol, played a significant role in shaping the market dynamics.

The healthy demand in this sector, coupled with the global influence on pricing, led to a noticeable uplift in the North American Iso-butanol market. This trend underscored the interconnected nature of global markets and the impact of shared economic and industry-specific factors across continents.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for isobutanol is poised to demonstrate a positive price trend in 2024. The robust feedstock pries and sturdy demand dynamics are expected to escalate the prices for isobutanol.

Isobutanol Price Trend for the July-September of 2023

Asia

Isobutanol continued its remarkable performance in Asian markets since the prices continued to rise in the third quarter of the year 2023 as well. The hikes in agricultural product prices amidst the difficult rainy season pulled up the prices for Isobutanol feedstock corn and other starch crops. This readily increased the cost pressure for suppliers. But since this rise in upstream cost pressure was well supported by positive downstream demands from coating and fuel industries the Isobutanol price index kept on rising.

A long economic awakening in China and India post-COVID restrictions saw a rapid rise in Isobutanol-consuming industries, especially construction and fuel. Hence, owing to all these reasons a rising price graph was observed for Isobutanol during the said period. Overall, positive market sentiments were observed.

Europe

The European Isobutanol market, too, continued to follow its market trend from the previous quarter. The chemical sector in Europe carried on with its lowered demands in the given period as well. The reduced pressure from the alleviated freight and transportation charges also supported the downward market graph. Some stability in the energy prices after a long time also pushed down the industrial operational costs, further contributing to the southward flow of price trend.

North America

The American market trend for Isobutanol mirrored the European market trend as the price kept on stumbling here as well. The downstream industries posed fewer offtakes, given the gloomy economic situation and high interest rates. So, with limited operations and tepid demands, the Isobutanol prices wavered on the lower end of the price graph.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Isobutanol market trend are likely to carry on with similar patterns in the near future since the market drivers do not suggest any immediate shifts.

Isobutanol Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The price trend of Isobutanol followed an upward trajectory in the first and second quarters of 2023. In the Asia Pacific region, the demand for the product was high as the paint and coating industries performed well in the first two quarters.

A significant spike in the trend was observed in March and April as trading during this session was at its all-time high, which caused a scanty of the product in the region. In addition to this, the prices were also supported by the hike in feedstock materials. In the later months of the second quarter, the rising trajectory was somewhat stabilized due to the stagnancy in demand and strong supply.

Europe

In the first quarter of 2023, the Isobutanol price trend was mostly influenced by the receding demand and limited offtakes from the paint and coatings industries. This decline caused the level of inventories to rise and, in turn, the overall prices of Isobutanol to decline.

In addition, to fuel the already weak market position of Isobutanol, the trading activities and exports also plummeted. However, the second quarter was favorable to the prices of Isobutanol. The hike was supported by improving market dynamics of the paint and coating industries along with the limited availability of the product on ports. Towards the latter months, the prices stabilized with the declining demand and slow movement of buyers.

North America

The initial phase of the first quarter of 2023 was favorable for the hike in the prices of Isobutanol. The market was supported by reduced availability as the demand was high, and the strong purchasing potential of buyers supported the surge in prices. However, in the second quarter, the market dynamics did not support the price trend of Isobutanol.

The prices dropped because of the weak demand from the downstream industries and slow trading activities. In addition, the market dynamics of Isobutanol were also feeble, and with excessive stockpiles and declined exports to South America and Canada, the prices nosedived.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Isobutanol is estimated to showcase a downward trajectory in the upcoming quarter. The uncertain demand from the end-user industries and shifting market dynamics are expected to impact the pricing fundamentals negatively.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Isobutanol. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.