During the week ending 5 December 2025, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) prices in Asia and Europe remained stably low after several consecutive months of decline. Weak downstream demand, high inventories, and soft feedstock fundamentals kept market sentiment cautious and pricing under persistent pressure.
In China, MEK prices held at low levels, marking the fifth straight month of subdued performance. In November, MEK prices had fallen 1.5% m-o-m, reflecting broader trend remained bearish as persistent oversupply continued to outweigh limited improvements in buying activity.
MEK market sentiment remained weak as domestic producers operated steadily, generating ample supply. With no major plant shutdowns or environmental restrictions, production stayed aligned with nameplate capacities, contributing to consistent stock accumulation across both producers and distributors.
Feedstock fundamentals provided little cost support. Adequate availability of sec-butanol from crackers and refineries, combined with softer upstream crude oil, kept procurement costs depressed. Global crude indicators weakened in November following OPEC+’s decision to proceed with its April output increase.
Severe congestion at Qingdao Port further amplified inventory pressure. Limited berth availability between 4–6 December prolonged vessel waiting times and slowed container movement, delaying export clearance and accumulating the MEK inventory on the sites.
Downstream demand stayed muted, especially from the coatings and paints sectors, which continued operating at reduced rates due to weak performance in China’s construction industry. With construction indicators lingering below expansion thresholds, MEK consumption remained constrained.
In Japan, MEK demand remained sluggish as coatings and paints producers operated at low utilisation rates. The domestic construction sector softened further, pressured by rising labour and material costs and a slowdown in new project starts.
Most downstream manufacturers adopted hand-to-mouth procurement strategies while maintaining high inventories, restricting any meaningful restocking. Export demand also softened as global buyers showed reduced appetite for Japanese material amid competitive international pricing.
Across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, MEK demand remained constrained due to continued weakness in construction-related coatings, paints, and adhesives. Both residential and commercial construction segments reported contraction under the weight of high financing costs and elevated material prices.
Civil engineering activity showed marginal improvement, driven by slight stabilisation in Germany, yet the overall demand environment remained subdued. Buyers refrained from forward procurement, reflecting uncertainty in industrial performance and broader macroeconomic recovery.
High inventories at European factories, combined with declining new orders, continued to weigh on MEK consumption. Market participants reported limited spot transactions, keeping regional prices stable but under persistent downward pressure.
MEK prices may see mild upward movement in the coming weeks if tightening inventories emerge during scheduled plant maintenance toward year-end. These supply adjustments could encourage cautious restocking, though demand recovery is expected to remain slow and uneven.
