In the first week of December 2025, China Di-isopropyl Ether (DIPE) FOB Qingdao was down by 0.85% week-on-week, with stable-to bearish upstream condition. The downtick in the DIPE prices was due to fall in isopropanol and propylene prices, Jiangsu and Zhejiang have reduced the cost of production for integrated manufacturers, leading to minor discounts while waiting for more comprehensive profit data. DIPE supply was not on the tight side, as small and private producers in Shandong and Hebei were running below nameplate due to year-end environmental inspections and high electricity costs. Home demand was lackluster following agrochemical winter stocking while consumers in the coatings segment remained sidelined. Consistent supply over the exports to Southeast Asia, and steady yuan around 7.10/USD helped to hold the market down, making the overall market slightly bear but rather neutral.
In early December 2025, the supply of DIPE in China remained tight as coastal integrated producers operated at high capacity, and benefiting from the decrease of isopropanol and propylene cost which led to a decrease of variable costs. Small batch plants in Shandong and Hebei province were running below half of its capacity due to pro-longed environmental inspections in the fourth quarter. Feedstock supplies remained strong on steady Jiangsu refinery production and well-stocked inventories at Qingdao port at ~two weeks of forward demand, averting any tightness. The logistics were smooth, with adequate containers for Southeast Asian routes, stable freight rates, and to the hazardous-goods rules no disruptions although more paperwork. Demand was beaten but firm with winter stocking by agrochemical formulators by mid-November completed and purchases at maintenance levels. Coatings manufacturers put off DIPE purchasing due to the weakness in construction in the season, hoping for replenishing before Lunar New Year. DIPE demand from Pharma Solvents was stable to limited. DIPE export enquiries from Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia offered support taking advantage of Chinese FOB competitiveness as compared with Singapore/Taiwan. Hand-to-mouth buying dominated, with overstock inventories drop DIPE prices.
Softer isopropanol/propylene prices slightly relieved the cost pressure on integrated producers, and small discounts in the face of disciplined rates were possible. Year-end inspections and power restrictions suppressed the output of smaller units, balancing supply with an abundance of feedstock. Post-winter stocking limited agrochemical demand, while coatings seasonally delayed purchases. Stable Southeast Asian exports and steady currency “yuan 7.10/USD” capped downside.
During the first week of December 2025, the price of DIPE FOB Qingdao dropped by 0.85%. The mild softening was due to lower feedstock costs that allowed for discounts without reversals as the supply discipline and weak demand kept the market under a slightly bearish sentiment.
As per ChemAnalyst, the China's DIPE market is for the most part expected to remain side-way moving until mid-December 2025, with mild bearish bias in the hand due to weak domestic demand, offset with stable exports and managed supply. A pre-Lunar-New-Year restocking may lift prices, although inspections, power tariffs and feedstock developments will continue to be the key for possible stringency.
