For the Quarter Ending June 2025
China
• The Butyl Acetate Price Index in China averaged USD 957/MT FOB Qingdao in Q2 2025, reflecting a steady downtrend from early April highs as sluggish domestic consumption weighed on sentiment.
• The Magnesium Alloy Ingot Spot Price rose briefly in June to USD 925/MT, supported by export demand from Türkiye, Egypt, and Indonesia despite muted local coatings and adhesives consumption.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are projected to remain stable to slightly firm as seasonal demand from export markets persists and upstream maintenance at Celanese’s Singapore unit and Petronas’ Terengganu plant continues to underpin regional solvent sentiment.
• The Butyl Acetate Production Cost Trend was moderately supported by stable acetic acid (~USD 372/MT) and n-butanol availability, though weak methanol prices limited cost inflation.
• The Butyl Acetate Demand Outlook remains subdued for domestic industrial applications, but stable export flows to infrastructure-driven markets like Türkiye and steady Southeast Asian demand will keep prices from sliding further.
Germany
• The Butyl Acetate Price Index in Germany averaged USD 1,241/MT FD Hamburg in Q2 2025, softening from early-quarter levels as eurozone construction and coatings demand stayed weak.
• The Magnesium Alloy Ingot Spot Price eased in June to USD 1,198/MT, with buyers favoring spot purchases over long-term contracts amid volatile end-use activity.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are expected to stabilize as modest recovery in Southern Europe’s coatings and construction sectors offsets still-fragile domestic demand. Rising freight rates from Asia may also lend mild cost support.
• The Butyl Acetate Production Cost Trend remained steady, supported by stable methanol values and adequate feedstock supply, though thin margins discouraged aggressive pricing adjustments.
• The Butyl Acetate Demand Outlook is cautiously neutral, with Italian demand for coatings and adhesives providing a floor, but subdued procurement from German industrial and textile sectors likely capping gains.
USA
• The Butyl Acetate Price Index in the U.S. averaged USD 1,750/MT FOB Texas during Q2 2025, edging down from April levels as domestic consumption remained flat despite resilient export flows to Canada and Mexico.
• The Magnesium Alloy Ingot Spot Price declined to USD 1,720/MT by June as downstream coatings and construction sectors continued to operate below pre-pandemic levels.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are projected to hold near current levels, supported by stable export demand but capped by weak domestic construction-linked offtake and cautious industrial restocking.
• The Butyl Acetate Production Cost Trend benefited from falling methanol (USD 778/MT) and steady acetic acid prices, helping Gulf Coast producers preserve margins even as spot inquiries softened.
• The Butyl Acetate Demand Outlook remains steady for FMCG packaging and automotive coatings, but construction-linked solvent demand may struggle to rebound without a stronger labor market recovery in Canada.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, Butyl Acetate prices in the USA showed mild fluctuations, averaging USD 1762/MT FOB Texas, slightly above the Q4 2024 average but significantly lower than Q1 2024’s average, reflecting a 19.4% year-on-year decline. While January and March prices remained flat, February saw a brief uptick due to tight supply and strong demand from the paints and coatings sector.
Initial supply shortages emerged in January amid reduced availability of feedstocks such as acetic acid and butanol, and logistics bottlenecks, including severe weather and port congestion. However, by February, lower acetic acid prices helped ease production costs, and inventories stabilized. Demand peaked in January, supported by non-residential construction activity across sectors like healthcare, warehousing, and data centres.
Yet in February, rising construction material costs and labour expenses softened demand, which continued into March. U.S. construction and manufacturing slowdowns, compounded by tariff-induced import restrictions and global trade uncertainties, weighed on sentiment. In conclusion, Q1 2025 reflected a balanced market with early strength followed by subdued demand, keeping Butyl Acetate prices largely rangebound.
APAC
In Q1 2025, Butyl Acetate prices in China trended downward overall, averaging USD 989/MT FOB Qingdao, marking a 3.6% decline from Q4 2024’s average and a 13.9% drop year-on-year compared to Q1 2024’s average. Prices showed minimal fluctuations, with a slight increase in February before softening again in March. The quarterly trend reflected a stable supply landscape and largely steady downstream demand from coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceutical sectors. Production levels were largely consistent, though temporary plant shutdowns in January slightly reduced operating rates. Despite some cost support from fluctuating feedstocks like acetic acid and butanol, market pressure from overcapacity and limited raw material cost impact kept prices subdued. Domestic demand remained firm through February and March, particularly in coatings ahead of seasonal restocking, but enthusiasm weakened post-holiday. Export demand continued to offer support, although cautious procurement behaviour persisted. Overall, Q1 2025 was defined by a stable-to-weak pricing environment, with balanced fundamentals but growing concerns over long-term oversupply. Any sustained price recovery will depend on stronger downstream utilization and reduced market capacity pressures.
Europe
Butyl Acetate prices in Belgium declined modestly through Q1 2025, averaging USD 1307/MT FOB Antwerp, comparing Q4 2024 and Q1 2024, reflecting a 8.3% quarterly decrease and a 10.6% year-on-year drop. January and March bookended the quarter with softer levels, while February saw minor upward adjustment amid improved coatings activity. Price pressure stemmed from sluggish demand in the paints and coatings sector, tied to prolonged weakness in Belgium’s construction industry. Although early signs of recovery emerged in February, high material costs, labor shortages, and regulatory uncertainty capped sectoral growth. Feedstock acetic acid and n-butanol prices remained steady, offering limited cost pressure. Manufacturing levels held steady, supported by consistent imports. Freight rates from North America declined further, enhancing import competitiveness, though carriers imposed capacity controls to stabilize rates. Despite short-lived demand support from renovation activity in Flanders, weak industrial sentiment, geopolitical tensions, and new trade tariffs with the U.S. weighed on market confidence. In summary, Q1 2025 remained subdued, with bearish fundamentals limiting Butyl Acetate price recovery in Belgium.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Butyl Acetate prices in the USA remained range bound, holding around USD 1740-1770 per metric ton FOB Texas, despite sluggish downstream demand from the paints, coatings, and personal care sectors.
Ample supply levels balanced the market, even as end-user purchasing power remained constrained. While attempts to reduce prices had minimal impact, upstream methanol prices showed upward momentum due to anticipated increases in Methanex's monthly contract pricing. However, weak methanol demand and elevated shipping costs limited significant price hikes for the feedstock. Manufacturing activity faced pressure as key downstream industries, including construction and automotive, exhibited subdued performance. Chemical producers, such as Celanese, implemented cost-cutting measures and temporary shutdowns to align with reduced demand.
Despite stable supply conditions, the U.S. construction sector, a major consumer of Butyl Acetate in coatings, remained slow, with residential activity facing ongoing challenges from high interest rates and affordability issues. While builder optimism improved slightly, reflecting regulatory relief expectations post-election, overall construction activity stayed below prior-year levels. Looking ahead, market participants express cautious optimism for a potential recovery in 2025, driven by regulatory shifts and improved sentiment in downstream industries. However, persistent supply-demand imbalances and subdued global economic conditions are likely to keep price growth moderate in the near term.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the Butyl Acetate market in China experienced mixed price trends, with overall declines driven by weak downstream demand, high inventory levels, and reduced production capacity due to shutdowns and lower utilization rates. Prices briefly rebounded in late November, supported by production halts in Shandong and modest improvements in demand, before stabilizing in December at around USD 990-1080 per MT FOB Qingdao. Manufacturing activity remained steady, with stable plant operations and government stimulus measures supporting output, although oversupply and subdued foreign sales limited market recovery. Downstream demand from the paints, coatings, and construction sectors stayed weak, reflecting cautious purchasing behaviour and sluggish real estate activity despite ongoing stimulus measures. While higher upstream acetic acid costs could create some upward price pressure, weak trading activity and a cautious market sentiment are expected to keep the Butyl Acetate market in a state of consolidation, with supply-demand imbalances persisting into 2025. Looking ahead, the market faces potential upward price pressure from higher upstream acetic acid costs, but weak downstream demand and cautious trading sentiment will likely limit significant price growth.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Butyl Acetate prices in Germany showed a consistent declining trend, primarily driven by lower feedstock acetic acid prices, oversupply, and weak demand from the construction sector. Prices were further pressured by subdued downstream activity in applications like paints and coatings, exacerbated by a significant contraction in the construction industry. Residential construction saw persistent weakness, while commercial activity faced its sharpest decline in months, and civil engineering posted moderate reductions. Rising costs, logistical challenges, and high interest rates continued to weigh heavily on market sentiment. Manufacturing activity in Germany and the broader Eurozone remained under pressure, with the economic indexes indicating ongoing contraction. Stable plant operations and steady import flows ensured sufficient supply, but oversupply and weak new orders reflected the broader economic slowdown. Business confidence showed some improvement late in the quarter, though supply-side constraints and reduced purchasing activity limited recovery. Looking ahead, the construction sector's challenges, including high material costs and geopolitical uncertainties, are expected to persist, delaying significant recovery until 2025. Although higher upstream methanol prices may create upward pressure on production costs, weak downstream demand and cautious market activity are likely to keep Butyl Acetate prices subdued in the short term.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, Butyl Acetate pricing in North America witnessed a mixed trends with declining prices in the first month of Q3 2024, the prices of Butyl Acetate decline amid weak prices of Feedstock Acetic Acid, and in the second month, prices of Butyl Acetate has increased amid inadequate supply to meet downstream demand, while in the last month of Q3 2024 the prices of Butyl Acetate declined again amid lower demand from the international market and return of adequate supply.
Factors contributing to this fluctuating trend were increased demand from the construction sector, firm prices of feedstock acetic acid, and a rebound in construction employment, particularly in the paints and coatings industry. Despite a bearish outlook due to weak performance in the construction industry, there were positive shifts expected with rising methanol prices.
The quarter recorded a 17% decrease in the same period last year and a slight dip from the previous quarter, with a 6% decrease. Notably, there was a 1% price increase between the first and second half of the quarter. The quarter ended with a price of USD 1845/MT of Butyl Acetate DEL Chicago in the USA, reflecting an overall positive pricing environment amidst the changing market dynamics.
APAC
In the third quarter of 2024, the Butyl Acetate market in the APAC region experienced a period of declining prices, influenced by several key factors. Weak demand from downstream industries, particularly the construction sector, played a significant role in driving Butyl Acetate prices lower. Additionally, stable feedstock costs and subdued market activity contributed to the bearish sentiment. These factors combined to create a challenging pricing environment for Butyl Acetate in the region. In Japan, the market saw the most significant price changes during this quarter. Overall trends indicated a 9.4% increase from the same quarter last year, with a 1.7% decrease from the previous quarter in 2024. Notably, there was a -1% price change between the first and second half of the quarter. This downward trend culminated in the latest quarter-ending price of USD 1150/MT of Butyl Acetate CFR Osaka basis. The consistent decrease in pricing throughout the quarter underscored the negative sentiment prevalent in the Japanese Butyl Acetate market.
Europe
The European Butyl Acetate market in Q3 2024 exhibited mixed trends, with prices declining in the first half but recovered in the second half, though the overall trend remained bearish. This fluctuation was largely driven by lower feedstock acetic acid prices, which reduced production costs. Key factors influencing this trend included lower upstream methanol prices, decreased import costs from China, and weak demand from downstream sectors like plastics and polyester. An oversupply of PTA due to resumed plant operations, coupled with a drop in crude oil prices, further dampened market sentiment. The Eurozone's manufacturing activity remained low, signalling continued contraction in the sector. The Germanys saw notable price changes, with Butyl Acetate prices increasing by 20% compared to the same quarter last year but decreasing by 0.3% from the previous quarter in 2024. Prices between the first and second halves of the quarter dropped by 1%. The quarter-ending price for Butyl Acetate FD Hamburg in the Germany was USD 1,493 per MT, reflecting the overall downward pricing environment in the region.
FAQs
What is the current Butyl Acetate Spot Price?
As of June 2025, spot prices ranged from USD 925/MT FOB Qingdao (China) to USD 1,198/MT FD Hamburg (Germany) and USD 1,720/MT FOB Texas (USA), depending on contract terms and delivery locations.
Who are the top Butyl Acetate producers globally?
Key verified producers include Celanese Corporation (USA), BASF SE (Germany), and Jiangsu Baichuan Chemical Co. (China), supplying both domestic and export markets across the acetyls value chain.
What drives the Butyl Acetate Production Cost Trend globally?
Feedstock acetic acid and n-butanol pricing, methanol fluctuations, energy tariffs, and freight rates from Asia and Europe are the primary cost factors impacting production margins.
What is the Butyl Acetate Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
Prices are expected to remain rangebound, with mild upward pressure from export demand (Türkiye, Italy, Canada) and rising freight rates, though weak eurozone and North American construction demand may limit gains.
