The n-butylene market continued to showcase bearishness in its trend in April 2025 as well. The current market sentiments of n-butylene were shaped due to several factors, such as low demand from the downstream polymer and synthetic rubber industries, high supply, and the declined crude oil prices amid the ongoing trade war.

In China, the n-butylene market showcased a declining trend. The ongoing tariff conflicts between the US and China have pushed the crude oil prices downwards which has lowered the production cost of n-butylene. During April, the upstream crude oil market witnessed a decline of 5.6%.

Furthermore, the downstream polymer and plastic markets witnessed limited market activities amid the declining orders, it became hard for companies to make a profit which has resulted in fewer transactions. Buyers are only focusing on short-term needs. Considering the low demand, the suppliers were witnessed cutting down their prices, but the buyers showcased no interest further putting pressure on the market sentiments. Therefore, this has resulted in the limited demand for n-butylene from this sector.

Moreover, in Southeast Asian countries, the HDPE and LLDPE prices are witnessing a declining trend due to the presence of high supplies. The shipments of the commodity which were supposed to go to China, are not being sent to the Southeast Asian countries, which is flooding this region with the supplies. Therefore, the domestic demand is weak amid a lot of competition between suppliers, which made them lower their prices even more. Furthermore, the upcoming Labor Day holiday period is further anticipated to lower the market sentiments of n-butylene.

Similarly, the demand for n-butylene from the butadiene producers was also declining reflecting the weak demand fundamentals and subdued demand. Key derivatives like ABS, NBR, and PBR also saw price drops, reflecting the continued downturn. The U.S.–China trade tensions, with tariffs as high as 245%, have further eroded China’s export competitiveness, contributing to a cautious trading environment and dampening downstream consumption. Although supply was slightly reduced by a month-long shutdown at Nanjing Chengzhi Yongqing Energy’s butadiene plant, this cutback wasn't enough to balance the overall demand weakness.

Therefore, amid the ongoing sluggish demand from the downstream polymer and synthetic rubber markets, the market players reflected the current scenario by lowering the ex-quotations further. Suppliers were cutting down their prices of n-butylene with the hope of witnessing an improvement in the buyer’s activities, however, the sluggish demand and high supplies of n-butylene did not allow improvement in its market activities.

As per ChemAnalyst, the n-butylene market in Asia is expected to further witness a decline amid rising inventories and sluggish demand. Furthermore, in China, US tariffs may lead to fewer overseas orders, which might reduce some supply pressure too. Prices may stay weak, but they’re unlikely to fall much further from here.