For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The North American Isopropyl Alcohol spot price showed an upward trend in Q2 2025, with an average quarter-over-quarter price increase of approximately 2%. Spot prices rose steadily, culminating in a June 2025 closing price of USD 1311/MT FOB Texas, driven by tightening supply and robust downstream demand.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Production costs trended higher, supported by elevated feedstock propylene prices and partial shutdowns of Gulf Coast facilities, which constrained supply and impacted manufacturing economics throughout the quarter.
• Isopropyl Alcohol demand outlook solidified mid-quarter, fueled by strong pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial end-user consumption, particularly in response to seasonal hygiene needs and chemical intermediates production.
• In June 2025, export prices accelerated due to supply disruptions from maintenance shutdowns and geopolitical factors, pushing spot market values upwards despite high production costs.
• Inventory levels remained lean, prompting traders and distributors to maintain aggressive restocking strategies to meet steady international demand and offset previous safety stock depletion.
• Despite early April softness, driven by buyer inventory drawdown and cautious end-user procurement, the market sentiment improved steadily from May onwards as demand fundamentals strengthened.
• Export activity saw increasing traction, with buyers in Europe and Asia competing for limited U.S. cargoes, influenced by new tariffs reshaping trade flows and pricing dynamics.
• Freight cost trends slightly eased in May; however, logistic challenges persisted in early Q2, adding complexity to the cost structure and influencing pricing negotiations.
• Isopropyl Alcohol price forecasts for the next quarter anticipate sustained firm pricing, underpinned by expected continued supply tightness and resilient demand within pharmaceutical and industrial solvent sectors.
• Market participants remain watchful of feedstock price volatility and potential policy changes, which could influence both production cost trends and demand outlooks, affecting near-term spot price trajectories.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The APAC Isopropyl Alcohol spot price experienced a downward trend in Q2 2025, with an average quarter-over-quarter price decline near 3%. Prices fluctuated amid subdued demand and high inventory burdens, settling at approximately USD 971/MT FOB Qingdao in June 2025.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Production costs softened during the quarter, impacted by falling feedstock propylene and acetone prices, despite intermittent plant maintenance shutdowns that temporarily limited supply.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Demand outlook remained cautious, characterized by conservative purchasing from pharmaceutical and personal care sectors and weak industrial activity, which restrained volume growth and pricing power.
• June 2025 saw a stabilization phase with slight price recovery, driven by limited supply due to manufacturing slowdowns and marginal improvement in upstream acetone costs, signaling potential market equilibrium.
• Exporters faced intense competition, with suppliers adopting aggressive pricing strategies to reduce inventories amid weak buyer confidence and muted downstream consumption.
• Logistical efficiencies improved following seasonal holidays, yet global economic uncertainties continued to depress procurement enthusiasm and restrained order volumes.
• Maintenance shutdowns at key Chinese producers, such as Zhuhai Long Success, further tightened supply intermittently, supporting transient price supports despite overall softness.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Price forecasts for the next quarter project moderate stability or slight upward movement contingent upon feedstock price trends and any resurgence in downstream industrial demand.
• The region's market dynamics were heavily influenced by cautious procurement behaviors, with buyers preferring to draw down existing stock rather than place large new orders, perpetuating subdued trading activity.
• Competitive pricing from APAC producers remains critical in maintaining export market share amidst global oversupply concerns and shifting international demand patterns.
Europe
• The European Isopropyl Alcohol spot price in Q2 2025 demonstrated a generally stable to slightly downward trajectory, averaging a quarter-over-quarter price decline of approximately 0.3%, with prices ending in June at around USD 1568/MT FD Hamburg.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Production cost trends reflected easing feedstock propylene prices mid-quarter, though elevated natural gas costs and persistent port congestion contributed to regional cost pressures.
• Isopropyl Alcohol demand outlook remained mixed but generally subdued, with pharmaceutical and personal care sectors maintaining moderate consumption, while industrial applications showed restrained replenishment across key European markets.
• June 2025 experienced a notable price decline after several weeks of upward momentum, driven by increased inventory levels and destocking activities amid intensifying producer competition.
• Logistics challenges, including port bottlenecks and inland transportation delays, constrained timely deliveries, impacting spot market availability and contributing to pricing volatility.
• Currency fluctuations, particularly the Euro’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar, enhanced export competitiveness early in the quarter, supporting export demand despite weak domestic buying interest.
• Suppliers increasingly focused on balancing domestic inventory liquidation with growing export orders, particularly to Latin America and Asia, where tighter international availability supported firmer pricing.
• Isopropyl Alcohol Price forecasts for the next quarter suggest cautious optimism, forecasting stable to modestly increasing price movements, dependent on feedstock market developments and downstream demand recovery.
• Market participants continued forward buying strategies to hedge against anticipated supply disruptions and price increases, sustaining pricing resilience through mid-June before the subsequent retreat.
• Overall, European IPA markets faced a complex interplay of supply-side constraints, logistical inefficiencies, and cautious demand outlooks, fueling measured market adjustments and strategic inventory management by producers.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Isopropyl Alcohol market in North America experienced a sustained upward pricing trend throughout the first quarter of 2025. Strong demand from pharmaceutical, healthcare, and solvent-based industries acted as the primary catalyst for this increase. Consumption levels for sanitization, cleaning, and sterilization applications remained high, contributing to an intensified procurement environment.
Export prices continued to climb steadily, especially by March, as overseas demand strengthened, and regional supply-side constraints persisted. Seasonal factors also played a key role, with industries traditionally increasing Isopropyl Alcohol usage during this part of the year for hygiene-related purposes. While production costs faced upward pressure due to inflationary factors and logistical expenses, the decline in feedstock prices provided some relief to suppliers’ overall cost structures.
The region’s manufacturing activity displayed encouraging signs, as evidenced by a noticeable improvement in the manufacturing purchasing activity during February. However, persistent transportation bottlenecks and potential tariff-related concerns introduced pricing volatility. Despite these challenges, suppliers remained firm on higher price quotations, encouraged by expectations of sustained demand. Overall, North America recorded firm upward momentum in Isopropyl Alcohol prices throughout the quarter.
Asia Pacific
The Isopropyl Alcohol market across the Asia Pacific region exhibited a mixed pricing pattern throughout the first quarter of 2025. During January, prices registered a firm upward movement, underpinned by steady demand from pharmaceutical and personal care industries, alongside other consumer-oriented sectors. Market participants benefitted from consistent procurement activities, and despite ongoing global logistics difficulties, suppliers in the region managed to maintain a stable supply flow.
A strengthening of regional currencies against the United States dollar during this phase also assisted in containing import-related cost escalations and helped to stabilize overall market conditions. However, from February onwards the market sentiment softened noticeably. This shift was largely influenced by weakening manufacturing activity across the region, indicated by a decline in the manufacturing purchasing activity.
Demand from industrial and chemical processing sectors contracted, resulting in excess inventory and restricted off-take volumes. Suppliers, in response to rising stock levels and limited purchasing interest, opted for price reductions to maintain competitiveness in the market. Consequently, Isopropyl Alcohol prices across Asia Pacific followed an initial rise, before gradually easing towards the end of the quarter.
Europe
The Isopropyl Alcohol market across Europe experienced pronounced upward pricing momentum during the first quarter of 2025, driven by a combination of robust demand and constrained supply availability. Early in the quarter, logistical challenges intensified, particularly due to port congestion issues at major European shipping hubs. A notable incident involved a collision at one of the region’s largest ports and caused prolonged delays and increased transportation costs, which further supported price escalation.
Currency depreciation within the region also added to import-related expenses, compelling buyers to accept elevated price levels to secure essential inventory. Strong demand from pharmaceutical, cleaning, and personal care industries sustained significant pressure on suppliers, who struggled to meet increased consumption requirements amid logistical hurdles. Manufacturers responded to limited inventory and delivery backlogs by implementing successive price increases.
The overall market sentiment remained bullish, with additional purchasing activity observed as buyers sought to build safety stocks against future supply uncertainties. Consequently, Isopropyl Alcohol prices across Europe maintained a steady upward trajectory throughout the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the persistent imbalance between supply limitations and heightened regional demand.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) market displayed a consistent bearish trend throughout October and December 2024, driven by weak demand from key sectors like pharmaceuticals and solvents. Despite fluctuating feedstock prices, particularly propylene, which were influenced by crude oil volatility, the market remained subdued due to insufficient demand-side support. In response to declining demand, manufacturers implemented aggressive pricing strategies, yet these efforts failed to stimulate sufficient purchasing activity.
A noticeable excess of inventory coupled with reduced procurement from downstream industries exacerbated the market’s downward trajectory, leading to sustained price drops. Additionally, the cautious stance of international buyers and weak market confidence further contributed to this trend. Price reductions were also fueled by competitive market conditions, with ample supply and increasing flexibility in negotiations.
Although occasional supply tightness due to maintenance shutdowns temporarily bolstered prices, the overall market conditions remained largely weak, with prices settling at USD 1277/MT by late December 2024. The market's dynamics reflected the broader economic challenges, including weak demand and fluctuating production costs, preventing any significant recovery.
Asia Pacific
In Q4 2024, the Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) market in South Korea experienced fluctuating trends. In October, IPA prices remained stable due to strong downstream purchasing, coupled with rising quotations from key importing nations in the APAC region. This led to limited supply and increased transportation costs, with local traders raising prices after plant reopening. The critical role of IPA in essential industries helped maintain strong demand through the end of the month. However, by late November, the market saw a downturn. Weak demand from downstream sectors like pharmaceuticals and solvents caused a decline in IPA prices. The maintenance shutdown at LG Chem Ltd.'s plant at the end of November somewhere strained supply, but reduced demand outweighed these concerns. At the same time, lower feedstock prices, particularly propylene, added to the downward pressure. Despite steady demand from certain sectors, a "buy-as-needed" approach prevailed, limiting substantial orders. IPA prices settled at USD 1078/MT FOB Busan, with supply outpacing the overall demand side. While the market showed resilience, its future remained uncertain, reliant on the ongoing balance between supply and demand forces.
Europe
Following a similar market trend as that of other importing nations, during the entire Q4 of 2024, Germany's Isopropyl Alcohol export market experienced sustained price declines, primarily driven by weak downstream demand and an unfavorable cost environment A significant price decline throughout the quarter resulted from reduced production costs in key manufacturing countries, easing global price pressures. Buyers delayed purchases, anticipating further price reductions, while companies liquidated inventories to reduce storage costs and mitigate degradation risks, further pushing prices down. Additionally, the Euro’s depreciation against the USD elevated prices, impacting procurement at higher costs. Additionally, the availability of raw materials like propylene improved, easing production constraints. Despite rising propylene costs, market participants faced oversupply, with traders liquidating inventories, intensifying competition, and further driving prices down. By December, prices remained stable domestically but showed subdued purchasing activity. With export prices consolidating at around USD 1500/MT FD Antwerp, Belgium’s IPA market faced ongoing challenges amidst cautious market sentiment and an oversupplied market.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) pricing in the North American region for Q3 2024 has witnessed a notable increase throughout the entire third quarter of 2024, driven by several key factors. The market has been influenced by a continuous surge in demand from various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications.
With respect to the supply side is concerned, the prevailing inventory levels of Isopropyl Alcohol among market participants were notably lower compared to the overall demand. The market exhibited considerable activity, attributed to the increase in upstream crude oil prices, driven by heightened global freight costs leading to restricted spot flow for the feedstock side. This surge followed trade disruptions and storms that disrupted American oil production, while recent statistics indicated the nation's economy remained robust, signaling sustained fuel demand in the near future as well. Amidst tightening supply conditions, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, producers of feedstock propylene managed to implement significant price hikes throughout the month.
However, the market witnessed a modest drop as the quarter ended in September 2024. While, compared to the previous quarter in 2024, there was a 2% rise, highlighting a continued positive trajectory, indicating a consistent upward movement underscoring the stability and growth witnessed in Q3 2024.
Asia Pacific
Moving forward towards the third quarter of 2024, the Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) market in the APAC region experienced a notable decline in prices, reflecting a challenging period for the commodity with a steady upward trend in the middle only. Several factors influenced this downward trend, including weakened demand from key industries, surplus supply, and logistical hurdles. These elements combined to exert downward pressure on IPA prices, leading to a negative pricing environment. However, China saw the most significant price changes, with market dynamics driving prices lower. The quarter recorded a substantial average of 3.03% decrease from the previous quarter of the year, emphasizing the ongoing downward trend. Supporting the demand side, both regional and international market inquiries showed a significant slowdown, indicating a broader reduction in demand across various sectors. While fluctuations in the feedstock market side the overall trajectory remained varied demonstrating an overall supply-demand imbalanced scenario. Overall, witnessing a significant downward trajectory, Manufacturers and traders are cautiously managing their inventories, balancing between meeting current demand and preparing for potential market fluctuations. The short-term forecast for the IPA market in China remains cautiously optimistic and underscores the prevailing downward pricing environment in the region.
Europe
The Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) market in Europe has concluded the third quarter of 2024 witnessing a downward trajectory with prices rising steadily until the middle of the quarter, driven by several key factors. Starting with the quarter, persistent high demand from critical sectors like pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, and solvents has been a primary driver, prompting end-users to stockpile in anticipation of potential supply constraints. Additionally, seasonal shifts and market behaviors have intensified this trend, with suppliers and traders leveraging elevated prices to enhance profitability. Rising freight costs have further added upward pressure on prices, while the euro's appreciation against the dollar has provided some relief to buyers supporting the upward trajectory in terms of regional trading sentiments. This trend continued until August 2024. However, the prices dropped considerably as September commenced. Market trading atmosphere concerning the various commodities continued to remain on the southerly side with inquiries arriving from the petrochemical sector constantly being muted. With respect to the Isopropyl Alcohol, downstream quotations continued to remain weak with participants focused on clearing their inventories irrespective of newer procurements. Furthermore, with a continuous decline in feed propylene prices, the overall production cost concerning the IPA continued to sustain on the downward side thereby supporting this month’s trend. As a result, with respect to the overall trend, prices reflect a downward trend of an average of 0.72 percent from the previous quarter of the year.
FAQ:
1. What is the current price of Isopropyl Alcohol in key global regions?
As of June 2025, Isopropyl Alcohol spot prices varied regionally. In North America, prices closed at USD 1311/MT FOB Texas due to strong demand and supply limitations. In Asia-Pacific, prices dipped to USD 971/MT FOB Qingdao, reflecting weak industrial activity. Europe recorded USD 1568/MT FD Hamburg, with pricing stabilized by mixed demand and high logistics costs.
2. Who are the top global producers of Isopropyl Alcohol?
Major global producers of Isopropyl Alcohol include LyondellBasell, Dow Chemical, and INEOS in North America; LG Chem, Mitsui Chemicals, and Tokuyama Corp in Asia-Pacific; and BASF and Oxea GmbH in Europe. These companies dominate due to integrated operations, strong downstream linkages, and access to critical feedstocks like propylene and acetone.
3. What are the major factors influencing Isopropyl Alcohol prices in Q2 2025?
IPA prices in Q2 2025 were primarily driven by feedstock propylene volatility, regional supply disruptions, and sectoral demand dynamics. In North America, shutdowns and high pharmaceutical demand elevated prices. Asia saw softening due to high inventories and weak industrial uptake. Europe’s price fluctuations stemmed from port congestion, destocking, and currency-driven export trends.
4. What is the forecast for Isopropyl Alcohol prices in the coming quarter?
Price forecasts for Q3 2025 suggest sustained firmness in North America amid tight supply and robust pharmaceutical demand. Asia-Pacific may see mild recovery if feedstock costs rebound and downstream consumption improves. Europe anticipates stable-to-slightly rising prices, contingent upon inventory management, logistics normalization, and recovering industrial demand across the bloc.
