n-Butanol Prices: During the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America:
In the final quarter of 2023, the North American n-Butanol market saw prices dip, largely due to soft demand and consistent supply. The market trended bearishly, with n-Butanol prices in the USA dropping by 1% compared to the previous quarter. Reduced demand from downstream sectors, notably paints and coatings, played a pivotal role in shaping market conditions. Additionally, ample supply further pushed prices downward.
Several factors contributed to these dynamics, including decreased demand from the downstream PVC market, leading to production cutbacks. The steady n-Butanol supply also influenced the price decline. Furthermore, the depreciation of propylene feedstock prices added to the pressure on n-Butanol prices.
Specifically, in the USA, n-Butanol prices decreased by 1% compared to the previous quarter. In November 2023, OQ Chemicals announced an $88/MT price increase for n-Butanol, effective from November 1, 2023. These factors, including low demand, stable supply, and falling feedstock prices, collectively shaped market conditions, with prices ending the quarter at USD 1910/MT FOB New York.
Get Real Time Prices of n-Butanol: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/n-butanol-78
APAC:
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the n-Butanol market in the APAC region faced significant influences on prices. The market boasted a steady and reliable supply of n-Butanol, distinguishing it from regions experiencing supply constraints. However, plant shutdowns, such as those in China, impacted propylene feedstock availability, contributing to a moderately supplied market. Japan experienced notable price dynamics, with a 2.2% monthly increase in November 2023, followed by a substantial 10% decrease in December. This decrease was attributed to cost-effective imports from Europe and the depreciation of feedstock propylene, resulting in reduced production costs. Consequently, the East Asian market experienced ample supply, influenced by stable supply, plant shutdowns, and price fluctuations in Japan. The latest price for n-Butanol CFR Osaka in Japan for this quarter was USD 1250/MT.
Europe:
The German n-Butanol market exhibited a primarily bearish trend in the fourth quarter of 2023. Prices remained stable in October, rose marginally by 2% in November, and then dropped by 10% in December. Subdued demand from the construction industry, which had contracted for thirteen consecutive months, was the main driver behind this trend. The construction industry faced historically low investment confidence, with real estate firms reporting ongoing challenges and no signs of improvement in demand. All segments of the construction sector, including housebuilding, civil engineering, and commercial building activities, experienced contractions, with housebuilding being the weakest. This downturn in construction activities further reduced demand for the paints and coatings industry. Raw material availability eased for thirteen consecutive months, contributing to an oversupplied market. Despite this, OQ Chemicals increased n-Butanol prices by 2% in November, but this was ineffective due to persistently low demand from the paint and coating industry.
Get Real Time Prices of n-Butanol: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/n-butanol-78
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