Ethyl acetate markets around the world were stable at the end of December 2025 in comparison to previous years, however there were some small fluctuations by region. In Germany, the average price per ton rose just under 1% compared to the previous month mainly due to the increased cost of feedstocks and energy as well as a lack of available spot supply, combined with high demand from the coating and pharmaceutical industries. The Ethyl Acetate prices in the United States and China were stable because of limited demand during the holiday period, though production costs and available stock were relatively stable. The downside risk will likely be minimal as energy and feedstock costs remain steady, supporting price stability through early 2026.
The dynamics of Ethyl Acetate in China are characterized by stability mixed with some upward pricing across the Globe in the Second Half December of 2025. Germany recorded modest increases in pricing due to stable production economics and balanced supply/demand factors. Ethyl Acetate price changes remained flat for December in the US and China due to seasonal weak demand, which offset production cost support. All key regions were experiencing steady and cautious market sentiment at year-end with no sudden corrections taking place.
In Germany, prices for ethyl acetate at FD Karlsruhe slightly increased compared to last week with a nearly 1% increase. This miniscule increase ended a trend where prices remained steady for much of November, while remaining at the top end of the price range for 2025. This rise was mainly due to increased costs of feedstock acetic acid and ethanol because of contract negotiations taking place as natural gas-based power prices rise extremely high.
In addition, a lack of significant spot cargoes arriving through the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam port area left domestic customers depending on products manufactured at BASF's Ludwigshafen plant and Oxea's Marl plant, decreasing the availability of these products immediately. Finally, demand for ethyl acetate remained stronger than expected for this time of year due to a continuous stream of flexible packaging orders from companies in the industrial coating and pharmaceutical industries.
The stability of the US Ethyl Acetate market during this period is primarily a function of limited demand due to slow year-end activity in these markets, adequate inventory levels, and continued stable domestic production. There has been no upward pricing pressure on either feedstock acetic acid or ethanol due to their lack of change during this same period, meaning that producers have been able to maintain margins without having to increase prices. Additionally, the volume of Ethyl Acetate imports has remained steady and freight prices have not had a major impact on delivered price levels, further contributing to pricing stability.
Likewise, over the period, Chinese ethyl acetate pricing had little change or fluctuation and was more stable than expected. The continued resumption of production from recently restarted plants created an excess supply situation for domestic consumption that matched weak demand from users within the downstream segment of the coating and solvent market. Due to high freight costs and slow overseas buyer response, there was also not much export demand for ethyl acetate, which led Chinese manufacturers to maintain production rates instead of raising prices.
It is anticipated that in early 2026, Germany will experience a slight decrease in ethyl acetate prices after the holiday season due to an easing of typical year-end demand and possible replenishment of inventory levels. Ethyl Acetate prices in both the US and China are expected to also remain stable, with any increase in pricing dependent on the seasonal recovery of coatings and industrial product demand after the Lunar New Year, as well as replenishment of inventory following the holiday season. Overall, the global ethyl acetate supply/demand balance will enter 2026 on a steady state, with more influence from cost inputs and disciplined supply than from the growth rate of demand for ethyl acetate.
