For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Ethyl Acetate prices in the U.S. averaged USD 1534/MT FOB USGC during Q1 2025, showing a 2.4% increase from Q4 2024’s average of USD 1504/MT, but a 7.8% decline compared to Q1 2024’s average of USD 1660/MT. Prices peaked at USD 1545 in February amid brief supply constraints, before softening slightly in March.
Early in the quarter, supply tightness was driven by shutdowns at Eastman Chemical in January and limited feedstock availability—particularly acetic acid and ethanol. Despite mild cost support from feedstocks, production costs remained manageable, while falling freight rates helped ease export logistics.
Demand surged in January, supported by coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and packaging, especially amid increased nonresidential construction planning. However, by February and March, higher building costs, labor shortages, and global trade uncertainty led to softer demand from key sectors.
Manufacturers adjusted operating rates in response to changing market conditions, ensuring balanced inventories. Overall, Q1 reflected a mildly bullish trend driven by early quarter supply constraints, followed by demand moderation. Price direction in Q2 will depend on construction recovery and downstream purchasing momentum.
APAC
During Q1 2025, Ethyl Acetate prices in China averaged USD 874/MT FOB Jiangsu, showing a 1.7% increase over Q4 2024’s average, but a 10.8% decline from Q1 2024’s average. Prices edged higher in March from January, supported by temporary production adjustments. Despite planned plant shutdowns in January and reduced operating rates in March, domestic supply remained sufficient throughout the quarter. Feedstock acetic acid and ethanol prices stayed subdued, offering limited cost support. Export orders remained steady, helping balance excess domestic capacity and stabilize market sentiment. Downstream demand held firm, particularly from paints, coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. While pre-Lunar New Year stocking slowed in late January and early February, seasonal restocking resumed in March. However, muted domestic sentiment, oversupply concerns, and limited cost-driven price support capped aggressive price movements. In summary, Q1 2025 reflected a moderately bullish trend in an otherwise balanced market. Unless significant shifts occur in feedstock pricing or construction-linked demand, Ethyl Acetate prices are expected to remain stable with slight upside potential in Q2.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Ethyl Acetate prices in Germany rose steadily, averaging USD 1111/MT FD Karlsruhe, reflecting a 6.7% increase from Q4 2024’s average, but still 6.8% lower year-on-year than Q1 2024’s average. Prices climbed from January to March, driven by higher import costs and tightening supply.
Domestic production remained stable, and steady imports prevented shortages. However, mild supply-side pressure from earlier acetic acid tightness and ethanol fluctuations—combined with improved logistics from falling freight rates—created pricing momentum. Yet overall cost pressures remained muted.
Demand from downstream paints, coatings, adhesives, and printing sectors remained soft due to ongoing construction sector weakness, particularly in residential and civil infrastructure. Despite a modest February improvement, high borrowing costs, inflation, and project delays limited any major recovery.
Germany’s industrial sentiment continued to struggle, while macroeconomic headwinds—including EU trade tensions and stagnant export demand—kept procurement cautious. As a result, Q1 pricing gains reflected supply tightness more than real demand growth, with Q2 trends hinging on downstream recovery and feedstock stability.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Ethyl Acetate prices in the USA remained range bound, holding around USD 1438-1638 per metric ton DEL 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 Ethyl 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 Ethyl Acetate market in China experienced rangebound 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 810-920 per MT FOB Jiangsu. 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 Ethyl 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, Ethyl 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 Manufacturing PMI 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 Ethyl Acetate prices subdued in the short term.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American region experienced a significant decline in Ethyl Acetate prices, with the USA showing the most pronounced changes. This downward trend was influenced by weakened demand from downstream industries, especially in the construction sector, along with ample supply in the market.
The interplay between low demand and oversupply resulted in continuous price reductions throughout the quarter. Additionally, feedstock Acetic Acid prices fluctuated due to a major production halt; however, Celanese's resumption of operations led to lower production costs and a decline in Acetic Acid prices. The USA recorded a -4% change from the previous quarter, indicating a sustained negative trajectory, while a -1% price difference was noted between the first and second halves of the quarter, reflecting consistent price deterioration.
By the end of Q3, Ethyl Acetate was priced at USD 1,580/MT DEL Chicago, highlighting the prevailing bearish sentiment in the market. Overall, the pricing environment for Ethyl Acetate in Q3 2024 was distinctly negative, driven by subdued demand, high supply levels, and ongoing market challenges.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Ethyl Acetate market in the APAC region faced significant challenges, marked by persistent price declines despite slight increases at the beginning of the quarter. Weak demand from downstream industries, particularly in paints and coatings used in the construction sector, along with stable to falling feedstock prices, contributed to a bearish market outlook. Japan experienced the most notable price shifts this quarter, with a -14% change from the same quarter last year and a -7% decline from the previous quarter. Additionally, lower energy prices and reduced activity in the downstream construction industry further exacerbated the declining market trends throughout Q3. Japan's total manufacturing activity also declined, reflecting weaker demand and lower production levels leading to overall pessimistic market view. Price comparisons between the first and second halves of the quarter indicated a -3% decrease, reinforcing the continuous downward trend. By the end of the quarter, Ethyl Acetate prices in Japan were USD 905/MT CFR Osaka, underscoring the prevailing negative pricing environment.
Europe
In Q3 2024, The European Ethyl Acetate market in Q3 2024 exhibited bearish trends, with prices declining in the first half but stabilized 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 Germanys saw notable price changes, with Ethyl Acetate prices increasing by 18% compared to the same quarter last year but decreasing by 9.8% from the previous quarter in 2024. Prices between the first and second halves of the quarter dropped by 1%. The quarter-ending price for Ethyl Acetate FD Karlsruhe in the Germany was USD 1,155 per MT, reflecting the overall downward pricing environment in the region.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American Ethyl Acetate market saw a notable rise in prices in first month of quarter due to market activity and inadequate supply, leading traders to offer stocks at premium rates.
Despite robust manufacturing activity and growth in new orders from Europe and Asia, the market faced price declines driven by ample inventories, weak downstream demand, and rising production costs from higher natural gas prices. Economic uncertainties and fluctuating interest rates in the construction sector, a major consumer, further impacted prices. While in the second of half of quarter in the prices of Ethyl Acetate has shown declining market trends.
In the USA, the most significant price changes occurred. Steady demand from the construction industry couldn't counteract the declining trend from excess inventories. Seasonal factors and cautious buyer behaviour also contributed to the decrease. Prices dropped compared to the same quarter last year and the previous quarter, with a further decline within Q2. The quarter ended with Ethyl Acetate at USD 1655 per MT DEL Chicago, reflecting the market's struggle to balance inventories with demand and production costs, painting a pessimistic outlook for the region.
APAC
Initially, at the beginning of the quarter, the price of Ethyl Acetate showed increasing market trends due to restocking of inventories in the market. However, Q2 2024 witnessed a downward spiral in Ethyl Acetate pricing across the APAC region, primarily driven by reduced import costs from China, elevated inventory levels, and subdued demand from downstream industries such as construction. This quarter has been characterized by consistent price reductions by traders, who found themselves disadvantaged amid lower inventory turnover and heightened competitive pressures. Furthermore, fluctuating upstream methanol market dynamics and a general sentiment of cautious procurement among buyers have compounded the price decline. The construction sector's tepid recovery, coupled with seasonal factors like intensified rainfall, failed to sufficiently bolster demand, contributing to the persistent downtrend. Focusing on Japan, which experienced the most significant price changes, the Ethyl Acetate market reflected an overall negative pricing environment. Market trends were notably influenced by seasonal fluctuations, labour shortages, and stringent regulatory conditions in the construction industry, leading to a price decrease of 7% compared to the same quarter last year. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices saw a 3% decline, further indicating a sustained bearish trend. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a marginal 2% decrease, underscoring the lack of demand impetus throughout the period. Concluding Q2 2024, the price of Ethyl Acetate in Japan settled at USD 970/MT CFR Osaka, reflecting a negative sentiment in the pricing environment driven by ongoing market challenges.
Europe
Throughout Q2 2024, the European Ethyl Acetate market experienced mixed pricing trends due to various economic and supply chain factors. Upward price trends were primarily driven by heightened production costs for feedstock Acetic Acid and sustained high Methanol prices. Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea extended shipment routes and increased freight costs, while elevated energy prices, especially for Natural Gas, further added to production expenses. Despite these challenges, robust demand from the construction sector, buoyed by increased foreign direct investment and positive economic sentiment, sustained high market activity. Germany saw the most notable price changes. Ethyl Acetate prices in Germany increased compared to the same quarter last year and from the previous quarter in 2024, reflecting broader regional trends. Warmer weather led to consistent construction activity, maintaining strong demand. Prices also increased from the first to the second half of the quarter, underscoring persistent demand and constrained supply dynamics. However, ending Q2 2024, prices began to decline due to destocking market activity somewhat stabilizing supply dynamics. Ethyl Acetate prices in Germany stood at USD 1281 per MT FD Karlsruhe, highlighting a positive pricing environment characterized by sustained demand pressures and ongoing supply chain challenges. Despite the strained supply, the overall sentiment in the pricing environment remained robustly positive, driven by enduring market demand and escalating production costs.
