Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) prices in Asia dropped after early May holidays as regional plants restarted, increasing supply. Trading slowed during the holidays, but post-holiday restarts caused an oversupply, lowering prices. Meanwhile, prices held steady in Europe and the U.S. due to limited demand in the downstream.
In China, MEK prices dropped following the Labor Day break, as production recovered across several facilities. Although some units had paused briefly during the holidays, output rose once operations restarted. Combined with weak demand and high stock levels, the increased supply added downward pressure to the market.
Feedstock costs stayed soft, as butanol prices declined in response to weaker upstream crude and reduced buying interest. MEK producers continued to run plants at moderate rates to manage inventories, but the overall supply outlook remained loose.
Demand remained weak from paints, coatings, and...
