U.S. butyl acetate prices rolled over in early April after attaining an elevation, supported by steady feedstock costs and balanced supply fundamentals.
In terms of domestic supply, butyl acetate production continued at moderately reduced rates in early April to align with soft demand. Butyl Acetate feedstock acetic acid and n-butanol’s availability remained steady, while declining intra-Asia freight rates—down xxx since mid-December—offered logistical cost relief for importers. Despite butyl acetate stable operations and healthy port inventories, manufacturers refrained from scaling up production due to margin pressure and low order volumes. Additionally, elevated U.S. labor costs driven by skilled worker shortages contributed to cautious production planning.
Butyl acetate demand from architectural and industrial coatings remained soft despite the onset of the spring construction season. Rising input costs, labor shortages, and high interest rates continued to suppress construction activity, limiting solvent demand. The threat of higher steel tariffs...
