In late October 2025, the global ethyl acetate markets came under pressure as demand across the major regions weakened, against a backdrop of rising feedstock and energy costs. In Asia, prices fell 1.32% after a slower week related to activity in automotive coatings and packaging inks, as the end of the automotive coating season removed one of the keys supports. Increased input costs from acetic acid and crude oil gave some alleviation, but any effects of those inputs were limited as the markets were soft, with imports, and weak demand. The U.S. remained stable on balanced supply-demand conditions and consistent production. Europe was under pressure and fell further than U.S. markets, losing 2.8% on ample domestic output kept inventories comfortable along with lower downstream demand. Acetic acid tightness and higher energy tariffs upstream added 4.6% to the costs that came in late October, but those factors did not reverse the drift in the October pricing. Overall, global ethyl acetate sentiment remained bearish through the period as on-going demand weakness and sufficient supply were expected to keep the prices soft into early November.
In the last week of October, global ethyl acetate prices demonstrated differing trends in the main regional markets as downstream demand remained weak and seasonal consumption had finished. Despite rising feedstock and energy costs, the overall ethyl acetate sentiment was bearish as buyers continued to be cautious when procuring.
In Asia, Ethyl Acetate CFR Osaka experienced a slight weekly decrease of 1.32% for the week ended October 31st, 2025. Participants in the market noticed limited activity as automotive coatings and flexible packaging ink manufacturers sustained their operating rates, but at a more moderate pace. Ethyl acetate domestic production accounted for enough supply, with the remaining sourced from imports. Ethyl acetate sellers noted demand for spot inquiries saw some limits. With the termination of the coating season for the month of April to October, ethyl acetate demand was already stripped of a large segment of demand, exacerbated by an already sluggish automobile sales and a decline in manufacturing.
While input costs firmed on a week-to-week basis due to a spike of spot acetic acid going into the end of October and as crude and natural gas prices also firmed, cost pressures despite being apparent, did not improve the market's sentiment. Increases in feedstock costs added little upside potential, given demand remained soft with plenty of import supplies available in the market. Market analysts claimed ethyl acetate prices would likely be slightly easier in the near-term end-and term end-users were being cautious about large transactions and were holding off new shipments.
Ethyl Acetate FOB USGC across the Atlantic remained mostly stable during this period. Consistent pricing demonstrated balanced supply-demand fundamentals in the U.S. Gulf market. Steady production rates and feedstock availability resulted in limited trade activity as both buyers and sellers maintained a neutral sentiment in response to no major pricing factors.
Ethyl Acetate FD Karlsruhe in Europe experienced a slightly larger drop of 2.8% from the previous week. Ample supply from uninterrupted BASF Ludwigshafen and Oxea Marl operations continued to meet moderate usage. Ethyl acetate total supply was from domestic production and some from imports, leaving tank terminals with plenty of inventory.
Ethyl Acetate demand was lacklustre overall from the key downstream sectors of printing inks and flexible packaging, as converters opted to buy only as needed due fully to the seasonal slowdown. Further, in Germany, high industrial power and gas tariffs increased conversion costs, though these pressures have not changed the negative overall direction.
Overall, the global ethyl acetate market approaches November with ongoing bearish pressure. Although rising feedstock and utility costs inject some mild uncertainty, slow end user demand, sufficient inventories and steady production will continue to overwhelm price direction, suggesting ethyl acetate prices will remain soft in the coming weeks.
