For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American paints and coatings solvent market exhibited a mixed performance shaped by varied demand dynamics, supply chain shifts, and cost fluctuations across key solvents. Glycol Ethers stood out with a robust 40.24% quarterly increase, driven by antifreeze demand, upstream disruptions, and global restocking. Methanol prices also rose 15.48% due to stable paints and MTBE demand early in the quarter, though momentum softened later amid oversupplies.
Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate recorded slight upticks of 1.88% and 0.09%, respectively, supported by early-quarter construction demand, though rising material and labor costs curbed growth later. In contrast, several key solvents declined: Acetone dropped sharply by 13.12%, impacted by weak early-quarter demand and only partial recovery despite late-March supply tightening.
MEK fell 4.14%, reflecting sluggish coatings demand and inventory overhang, while toluene and xylene slipped 1.99% and 1.78%, respectively, due to soft downstream activity and weak upstream cost support. MIBK edged down 0.44%, as early quarter stagnation gave way to a late uptick in demand. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) remained largely flat with a marginal 0.18% dip, as strong pharmaceutical demand offset logistical pressures.
Overall, the sector experienced early-quarter strength followed by mixed to subdued demand, with performance hinging on end-use sector recovery and macroeconomic conditions.
Europe
During Q1 2025, the European paints and coatings solvents market displayed a mixed performance, shaped by divergent trends across key solvents and persistent macroeconomic headwinds. Acetone prices declined sharply by 20.94% due to weak domestic demand, particularly in Germany, and steady supply levels despite temporary port disruptions. Butyl Acetate also saw a significant drop of 8.56%, as prolonged weakness in Belgium’s construction sector and muted industrial sentiment dampened demand. Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) prices edged down 5.14% amidst subdued industrial activity and stable feedstock dynamics. Similarly, Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) experienced a slight downturn, reflecting cautious procurement and soft demand from the automotive and adhesive sectors. Glycol Ethers fell by 2.72%, as weak Eurozone demand offset cost support from Ethylene Oxide. Methanol prices also declined by 4.93%, pressured by sluggish construction activity and easing feedstock costs. In contrast, Ethyl Acetate posted a 3.93% quarterly increase in Germany, driven by tightened supply and higher import costs, though demand remained soft. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) rose by 5.75%, supported by robust demand from cleaning and pharmaceutical sectors and supply disruptions at key European ports. Mixed Xylene prices jumped 7.89%, fueled by rising energy costs and stable PET sector demand. Overall, paints and coatings solvents faced bearish pressure from weak downstream construction demand, but select products like Ethyl Acetate, IPA, and Xylene showed upward price movements due to supply-side constraints and sector-specific resilience.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the paints and coatings solvent market in the Asia-Pacific region exhibited mixed trends across key commodities, reflecting varying dynamics in supply, demand, and feedstock costs. Butyl Acetate prices fell sharply by 7.45% quarter-on-quarter due to stable supply, weak cost support, and subdued post-holiday demand, despite firm restocking in February. Acetone declined by 2.48% amid consistent feedstock pricing, cautious buying, and weak downstream demand, while MIBK registered the steepest drop of 12.37%, driven by lackluster automotive demand and ample supply despite intermittent rebounds. Glycol Ethers declined by 2.63% amid stable demand in coatings and cosmetics but softened upstream costs and geopolitical uncertainty restrained price gains. Conversely, Ethyl Acetate rose 2.06%, buoyed by firm coatings sector demand and seasonal restocking, though oversupply and muted sentiment capped further increases. MEK prices climbed 2.74%, supported by robust January demand and tight supply, though bearish sentiment prevailed in March due to oversupply and weak construction activity. Toluene experienced a 4.24% decline due to weak regional demand, especially from aromatics and polymer sectors. Mixed Xylene, however, surged by 11.18%, driven by restocking and stable demand from isophthalic acid. Methanol also saw a 4.22% gain, backed by stable coatings sector demand and supply disruptions. Meanwhile, n-Butanol prices dropped 3.33%, pressured by high supply and weak construction-linked consumption, while DAA rose 3.05% amid tight supply from prolonged plant shutdowns. Overall, the paints and coatings solvent segment witnessed diverging price trends, with oversupply and downstream caution offsetting gains from restocking and select sectoral demand.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the U.S. paints and coatings sector experienced a cautious environment, with varied price trends across key chemical products used in the industry. Acetone and Butyl Acetate prices remained steady, with supply conditions balanced despite sluggish demand. However, the construction sector, a major consumer of these solvents, faced challenges due to high interest rates and affordability issues, dampening overall demand for coatings. Both the Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate markets showed minimal price movement, influenced by weak demand and elevated shipping costs.
On the other hand, the Glycol Ether market experienced a notable upward trend, with prices rising by nearly 30% in response to strong demand from the personal care and paints sectors. This was further supported by rising feedstock costs and increased energy prices, which contributed to the bullish outlook. The o-xylene market also showed moderate demand from the coatings industry, though the broader economic uncertainties, including inflation and geopolitical tensions, led to a cautious sentiment in the sector.
Overall, the paints and coatings sector faced mixed trends in Q4 2024, with some products experiencing stable prices, while others, like Glycol Ether, saw price increases driven by steady demand. Challenges in construction and broader economic pressures impacted demand, keeping the sector's outlook subdued despite occasional price resilience in specific solvents.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the paints and coatings solvent sector across the APAC region faced subdued demand and consistent price pressures due to weak downstream activity, supply chain imbalances, and fluctuating feedstock costs. Toluene and Xylene prices in China and South Korea experienced steady declines as demand from the paints, coatings, and solvents industries remained soft, while high freight costs and cautious market sentiment further pressured prices. Similarly, Butyl Acetate and Ethyl Acetate markets in China saw weak demand from paints and coatings sectors, driven by high inventory levels and sluggish real estate activity. Although there were brief price rebounds due to production halts, oversupply and subdued foreign sales limited any significant recovery. The MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) market showed mixed trends, with prices falling in November due to weak coatings and adhesive demand but rebounding in December as strong export activity tightened local supply. In Japan, the n-Butanol market initially saw price increases due to rising production costs; however, weak demand from paints and coatings, linked to sluggish construction activity, reversed the trend by year-end. Overall, the paints and coatings solvent sector in the APAC region was marked by weak demand, high inventories, and cautious purchasing behavior, restricting price growth despite occasional supply constraints and feedstock fluctuations.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Paints and Coatings sector in Europe faced ongoing challenges, reflected in the performance of key solvents like Toluene, Xylene, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, and Glycol Ether. Demand from the construction sector, a major consumer, remained weak, particularly in residential and commercial construction, which directly impacted the consumption of solvents used in paints and coatings. As the sector faced rising costs, logistical challenges, and subdued downstream activity, prices of solvents like Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate showed a consistent decline. These declines were further exacerbated by oversupply and cautious market sentiment, particularly as high inventories remained unsold. Meanwhile, while stable demand from the cosmetics sector helped to maintain steady consumption of Glycol Ether, other segments, including paints and coatings, showed signs of stagnation. The Eurozone's economic slowdown, combined with geopolitical uncertainties, led to minimal signs of recovery, and supply disruptions in some regions added further pressure. Overall, despite moderate stability in specific sectors, the Paints and Coatings market in Europe entered Q4 with weak demand conditions, limited growth, and a bearish outlook. This trend is expected to continue unless there is a significant recovery in construction activity or a shift in broader economic conditions, pushing the sector into 2025 with continued challenges.
