The demand for N-propanol in the coatings and construction industries caused prices to fluctuate in China, rise in India, and stay steady in South Korea and Japan during the second half of June 2025.
In the second half of June 2025, there were regional changes in the N-Propanol market. In India, China, Japan, and South Korea, different trends were caused by a combination of regional supply fluctuations and demand dynamics from the downstream paints & coatings and construction sectors. India and China saw mixed trends, largely driven by seasonal and domestic demand, whereas South Korea and Japan showed steady pricing patterns.
In late June, there was a slight increase in the price of N-Propanol in India. The main driver of this increase was a slow recovery in construction activity after a decline in the early summer. The demand for paints, adhesives, and industrial solvents, of which N-propanol is a crucial component, remained moderately high as urban infrastructure projects picked up speed. Prices were further supported by paint manufacturers replenishing their stockpiles before the expected June monsoon lull. The overall price movement was balanced, though, by a small amount of cost-side pressure from fluctuations in upstream ethylene prices.
The picture presented by the Chinese market was more nuanced. However, central and northern regions saw a softening trend in construction-related consumption due to stricter environmental norms and slow housing starts, while coastal provinces reported stable to slightly increasing demand for paints and coatings due to ongoing residential renovations. A mixed pricing trend of N-propanol resulted from the inconsistent downstream demand, with some regions seeing stable to slightly declining prices. Additionally, lowering international freight rates decreased import expenses, which had a slight effect on domestic producer margins and pricing flexibility.
The market for N-Propanol in Japan stayed mostly steady in the second half of June, with no notable swings. The downstream coatings industry, which mainly serves the consumer electronics and automotive sectors, maintained a consistent but constrained production output for N-propanol. Pricing remained stable due to balanced supply-demand dynamics and a cautious industrial mood, as well as a lack of seasonal construction boost.
The second half of June in South Korea revealed a stable pricing environment. Due in large part to ongoing infrastructure maintenance and public projects, demand from the paints and coatings industry remained stable. N-Propanol prices remained stable as domestic consumption offset a slight decline in exports of completed coatings products. The market was also stabilised by the steady prices of upstream feedstocks.
While China's demand volatility and Japan-Korea stability suggest a balanced regional outlook, ChemAnalyst predicts that N-Propanol prices in Asia may exhibit cautious stability in July, with India likely to maintain upward momentum.
