For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
In Q2 2023, the purchasing fundamentals of Iso-Butyric Acid surged with the gradual consumption of product inventories from the downstream ventures. The Iso butyric Acid prices showed a upward price momentum in the US market, as the market players approached an optimistic trading atmosphere. The Iso buytric Acid prices were impacted by supply tightness as enterprises reduced production run rates in the face of high input cost pressure. Meanwhile, a recovery in the buying appetite led to an elevation in downstream demand and contributed further to the price hike in the US market. In June 2023, the price of Iso-butyric Acid in the USA surged to USD 1822/ton FOB Houston. The demand for Iso-Butyric Acid from the downstream Pharma market likewise stays up trended by increasing product request and insufficient stocks to fulfill the buyer's need. Notwithstanding, in the North American market, the costs displayed bullish pattern with healthy spot discussions with the increase in trading volumes from the USA to the overseas market.
Asia Pacific
In this quarter, the price of Iso-Butyric Acid in the Asia-Pacific region showcased a bullish price trend in the wake of high purchasing activities and increase in trading volume. In China, due to force majeure in the Luxi Chemicals in May 2023, the supply/demand fundamentals disrupted which resulted in such a price trend. The production rate among the significant production units ruptured and the demand for the product surged from the domestic and overseas market. Low inventories and limited supply in the region forced the producers to revise the product’s prices. Regarding raw material butyraldehyde, production companies tend to increase their ex-factory quotations. Currently driven by Iso-Butyric Acid futures, production companies’ installations are overhauled, bidding remains high, and downstream demand has rebounded. In May 2023, the price of Iso-Butyric Acid in China surged to USD 1630/ton FOB Shanghai. The change in the supply and demand dynamics led to massive demand in the market, leading to a price rise. The demand for Iso-Butyric Acid from the downstream Pharma and Dyes intermediate industries remains elevated this quarter, with demand exceeding the supply.
Europe
In Q2 2023, the price of Iso-Butyric Acid in Europe surged this quarter with the increase in market fundamentals and rapid consumption of product inventories. Strong market sentiments along with insufficient product availability resulted in such a bullish price trajectory. Rising interest from downstream Agricultural intermediate and utilization of Iso-Butyric Acid in pharmaceuticals chemicals had also provide cost support. With the healthy demand for the fresh stocks, significant manufacturing units managed to sustain the profit margin and sales among the ventures. However, with the vigorous interest from European suppliers, the costs of Iso-Butyric Acid continued to soar, driving the operating margin rapidly upwards. The demand for Iso-butyric Acid from the downstream Agriculture intermediates and dyes intermediate surged and the market fundamentals improved along with cost support. Downstream sectors are developing with consistent flooding requests, which expand in utilization from significant manufacturers. Negotiations among the traders for Iso-Butyric Acid remain challenging as spot prices are increasing amid strong demand and low inventories.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
The price of Iso Butyric acid has fluctuated in the quarter ending March 2023. In February 2023, the price of the commodity showed a decline due to reduced demand from cosmetics manufacturers for downstream processing. However, in March 2023, the price increased from the previous months of the quarter due to an improvement in the demand from paints and cosmetics companies and a steep rise in the upstream crude oil costs. As of the last recorded price, Iso Butyric Acid was being traded for USD 1,742 per MT on FOB – Houston basis in March 2023, indicating a bullish market outlook with moderate supply and slow revival in demand as cosmetics and paint manufacturers showed moderate interest in acquiring the product throughout the first quarter of 2023.
APAC
Iso Butyric Acid prices have shown mixed market sentiments in the quarter ending March 2023. In March 2023, the demand for the commodity increased by a nominal rate impacting prices. The product was being traded at USD 1469 per MT on FOB – Shanghai basis in March 2023. However, in the subsequent month, there was no change in the price of Iso Butyric Acid, as the demand-supply ratio remained stable. The market situation was considered bearish, with modest supplies and manufacturers of paint and cosmetics showing average interest in the procurement of the product. In January 2023, Isobutyric acid prices experienced a significant decline due to diminished demand from downstream companies and the lowered prices of upstream crude oil at the start of the year.
Europe
Iso Butyric Acid prices in the European market remained low during the first quarter of 2023, mainly due to stable production costs in exporting nations. However, the shipment delays caused by industrial strikes in Europe and a decrease in raw material propylene prices in producing nations, and reduced demand from consumers impacted the pricing dynamics of the product. To increase raw material sales and reduce input costs, producers lowered their prices. Meanwhile, the demand for Iso Butyric Acid from downstream paints and cosmetics was moderate in the first quarter of 2023. European enterprises faced increased uncertainty as OPEC announced a crude oil production cut at the end of March 2023, which may affect discussions about Iso Butyric Acid in April.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
The price of Isobutyric Acid also decreased in the United States. This product's prices have dropped primarily as a result of lower costs for upstream crude oil and lower prices for propylene, the base material used in its production. Prices of isobutyric acid also dropped as a result of lower demand from paint and personal care product manufacturers. There were no noticeable plant closures, and the constant interest of the downstream dyeing and food additive industries eased the cost pressure on product prices.
APAC
According to ChemAnalyst's analyses, the price of Isobutyric Acid decreased in the fourth quarter of 2022 as well. This product's market in China fell in response to several factors. Although the prolongation of COVID-19 curbs hampered production activities in both upstream and downstream companies, there were no significant plant closures, and the events in the upstream crude oil market played a significant role in determining prices. When it comes to India, the price of this product has been lowered as a result of the product's ample inventories and the moderate demand for it. So, suppliers were making procurement orders for this product in average volumes.
Europe
The markets for Isobutyric Acid in Europe also performed poorly in the fourth quarter. A number of factors have significantly impacted the demand for petrochemicals. According to ChemAnalyst, consumer concerns about inflation, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and an approaching energy crisis were affecting petrochemical demand. Additionally, customers found it modest to pass on ongoing cost increases due to supply chain delays. As a result, there were no plant closures, and stocks in inventories in idle volume were recorded.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
Iso Butyric Acid prices dropped down in the USA during the third quarter of 2022. The decline in the prices of this product was primarily because of the reduction in prices of propylene, the base material used in making this product, as well as a decline in the costs of upstream crude oil. In addition to these, Iso Butyric Acid prices fell due to lower demand from manufacturers of paint and personal care products. The downstream dyeing and food additive industries showed constant interest, easing the cost pressure on product prices. So, this product's market in the USA was concluded at USD 2,180 per MT on FOB – Houston basis.
APAC
Iso Butyric Acid witnessed a further price reduction during the third quarter of 2022 in the Asian market. The market for this product was dull in China due to various issues. The key factors that made the prices decline were the implementation of the zero covid policy by the government and the energy crisis, which forced both upstream as well as downstream firms to halt or bring down their production rates completely. When it comes to India, though there was stability in the demand-supply ratio of this product, the prices were dropping down because of the cut in prices of feedstock Propylene and upstream crude oil. So, in this quarter, the market of Iso Butyric Acid in India closed at USD 3039 per MT on a spot Ex-Mumbai basis.
Europe
European Iso Butyric acid markets were also dull in the third quarter of 2022. The demand for petrochemicals has been severely impacted by a variety of factors. Market participants indicated that petrochemical demand was being impacted by consumer concerns about inflation, the ongoing Russia – Ukraine conflict, and an impending energy crisis. Additionally, supply chain delays make it difficult for customers to pass on ongoing cost increases. So, Iso Butyric acid closed its market this quarter at USD 1,830 per MT on FOB – Hamburg basis.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
Costs for crude oil and propylene, both required to make this product, are falling, resulting in a drop in the price of Iso Butyric Acid in North America at the end of the quarter. Likewise, Isobutyric acid's price decreased because of a decline in demand from paint and personal care product manufacturers. The second quarter saw the product's merits be stable throughout the regional market. Steady demand from downstream dyeing and food additives sectors relieved cost pressure from the product's prices. Varying prices of upstream feedstock Propylene and 2-Methyl Propane due to the fluctuations in the global petrochemicals market affected the downstream market sentiments.
Asia
The prices of Iso Butyric Acid fell in the Asian market during the second quarter of 2022 in Asia with a quarterly decline of 2.9% in India, as recorded by Chem Analyst pricing team data. The downstream products showed mixed fluctuations, but the changes were insignificant, and the overall situation was stable. It was also challenging to improve the propylene market because start-up and sales were in a steady state, demand stimulation was insufficient, and the propylene market was challenging to improve. As a result of the weakening of international crude oil, the benefits of the lower costs are limited, and the propane market also deteriorated along with it. Furthermore, due to the off-season factor, the terminal demand was limited, and the market trading atmosphere was hostile, so manufacturers primarily sold at a profit-cutting price.
Europe
The price levels of Iso Butyric Acid surpassed the pandemic's lowest point in European Union during the second quarter of 2022, which prompts worries about a significant economic downturn. Due to a variety of factors, the demand for petrochemicals has been under a great deal of pressure. But the most recent data support that consumer apprehension over inflation, conflict, and an impending energy crisis is additional vital factors reducing demand for petrochemicals. In addition, purchasers find it difficult to pass on ongoing cost increases due to supply chain delays. Buyers are destocking in the current market scenario, perhaps because those quantities accrued because of fear when the conflict began.
