The US x-Ethylhexanol (x-EH) market has witnessed a marginal inclination of approximately xx, due to moderate demand conditions and the announcement of price hikes by one of the major oxo-alcohol producers.
Support for the prices of x-EH was not present from the feedstock side as prices of Propylene (refinery grade) remained relatively stable during this timeframe. Moreover, the construction sector of the US has been forecasting a bearish outlook, as indicated by the inclining mortgage rates, which also can have a negative impact on the demand conditions of x-EH from the downstream paints and coating and plasticizer industry. On April xx, xxxx, mortgage rates exceeded xx, for the first time during this year, according to Freddie Mac. As mortgage rates trend higher, potential homebuyers decide whether to make transactions in the real estate market before rates rise further or hold off in hopes of decrements later...
