For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
During the first quarter of 2022, prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone dropped in North America due to the bearish demand from the downstream regional market. Insufficient availability of raw materials made the manufacturers switch to another alternative which affected the MIBK market. In January, the FOB prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone dropped to USD 2260 per MT in the USA. Besides, dull buying demands from paint & coatings and rubber industries further worsened the market sentiments of MIBK. Moreover, high inventory levels were observed due to reduced exporting activities of the product has also affected the price.
Asia Pacific
Prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) showcased downward movement in the first quarter of 2022. The rising COVID cases in China have led to closures in the affected cities, which led to a production halt. The market closure led to a drop in demand and has slumped the buying sentiments in the domestic market, which influenced MIBK prices. Moreover, the port congestion in the Shanghai affected trade activities, further worsening the MIBK market trend. Prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone in India dropped to USD 1767 per MT CFR Dahej in March with a declination of 3.2%.
Europe
In Europe, prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone witnessed a fall owing to the drop in demand from the end-use sectors. Post-holiday break, resumption in operational activities improved the availability of the product in the regional market affecting the MIBK prices negatively. The disruption caused by the Russia and Ukraine war has impacted the trade by rerouting shipments influencing the MIBK price to drop. Moreover, the conflict resulted in halting of shipments from various countries and sanctions on Russia’s imports. The FOB prices of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone in the Netherland settled at USD 2120 per MT in January.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In North America, MIBK market fluctuated in a stable to narrow range in Q4 2021. Supply of upstream, Acetone gradually increased by Q4 which eased the manufacturing cost of MIBK viably in the region. Demand for several segments remained sturdy while it declined from some of the segments like paints and coatings and varnishes due to the seasonal slowdown. Easing freight rates by mid-Q4 also assisted in lowering the cost of MIBK in the regional market. FOB prices of MIBK upstream Acetone dwindled down to USD 1320 per MT in December.
Asia Pacific
In Q4, the market outlook of MIBK in Asia fluctuated in a stable to narrow range following slow pickup in its offtakes. Aided by dull market sentiments, Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) prices slumped in October. The fall in prices has been supported by improved export activities from South Korea. Due to abundant supply in India, demand for the raw material Acetone has been steadily dropping, due to reduced offtakes from paints and coating industry on low demand. Henceforth, MIBK prices followed a downward trajectory supported by consistent fall in feedstock values in the domestic market. Several traders were heard offering their cargoes at heavy negotiations to idle their inventory by December end, at times of dull demand from paints and coating and rubber industries. MIBK CFR prices in India were assessed at USD 1970 per MT in December.
Europe
In Europe, MIBK market continued to experience a downward trend in Q42021. MIBK prices dropped in early Q4 backed by the increment in the supplies of feedstock Acetone which considerably brought down its manufacturing cost. Several players even narrowed the production of MIBK due to uncertainty in the demand pattern. The slowdown in yearend demand also contributed to bring down its prices in the European region.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In North America, MIBK market showcased mixed sentiments during the third quarter of 2021. At the beginning of the quarter, decline in the feedstock Acetone values led to the dip in the prices of MIBK. Additionally, in August traders offloaded their inventories as a prophylactic measure before the hurricane season that further brought down MIBK prices in this timeframe. However, in the US, MIBK prices soared in the aftermath of Ida hurricane as its impact on production levels disrupted the supply chains in the region. Hence, international logistic issues further worsened the market dynamics of MIBK in the US in this quarter.
Asia Pacific
In Q3, the market outlook of MIBK in Asia observed mixed sentiments. At the beginning of the quarter, an improvement in the production levels was witnessed after the resurgence of industrial operation that led to the ample supply of the product. In India, MIBK prices witnessed a plunge followed by the dull market sentiments and the dwindling prices of feedstock Acetone during this quarter. However, in September an unprecedented rise in the values of MIBK was witnessed backed by high energy prices in the international market and adverse logistic challenge in China. In September, EX-Mumbai Methyl Isobutyl Ketone prices settled at USD 2739.12 per MT witnessed a significant hike by USD 265.92 since July.
Europe
In Europe, MIBK market experienced a downward trend during Q3 of 2021. MIBK prices dropped in the beginning of the quarter backed by the increment in the supplies from the overseas and dull buying momentum. However, in the later part of the quarter, supplies in the European region declined as imports from the US were impacted as a repercussion of the Ida hurricane. Thus, in September, marginal hike in the values of MIBK was observed due to the improvement in the demand from the downstream industries.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
The resumption of refineries and crackers in the US Gulf region after the restoration of industrial infrastructure eased the MIBK supply outlook in the North America as the region recovered from the devastating impact of the winter storm Uri. Upstream Acetone availability was ample to keep the production of MIBK in line and a much-needed ease in Acetone rates in the second half of Q2 maintained better operational margins. Enquiries from the domestic and overseas market surged, and the region observed seasonal hike from the paints and coatings & rubber industries to cope up with the rising demand from the building and construction sector. The prices of MIBK observed a downtrend in Q2 with FOB Texas offers settling at USD 2680 per tonne in June.
Asia Pacific
MIBK supplies in the Asia Pacific region were balanced as several manufacturers stocked up enough of Acetone which kept the production of MIBK at optimum efficiency in the second quarter of 2021. Due to the impact of second COVID wave in India, the government imposed partial lockdown to contain the spread which further limited the industrial and commercial activities in the first half of the quarter. Demand observed some rebound in the second quarter as lockdown eased in India and offtakes picked up from the paints and coating industries. Chinese supplies remained ample amid dampened domestic sales. MIBK pricing trend eased in Asia with the quarterly average standing at USD 1260 per tonne FOB Shanghai in Q2.
Europe
Supplies in the European region were surged as operating rates at several major manufacturers ramped up with better availability of upstream Acetone. Further improved imports from the US supported the availability of MIBK in the regional market. Demand remained firm from the paints & coating and rubber industries with the revival in the construction segment whereas, offtakes were consistent from the automotive sector. Buyers pushed for better discounts keeping eyes on strong inflow of competitively priced MIBK imports.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
MIBK supplies in the region were tight during the first quarter of 2021, due to the limited availability of the key feedstock Acetone, followed by the production related hinderances caused by plant turnarounds amid sub-zero temperatures in the USA Gulf region in mid-February. Altivia Ketones raised the prices of MIBK for March deliveries by USD 100/MT in early February. Demand was bolstered amid short supplies, after enquiries surged from the downstream electronics and paint & coatings sector. FOB Texas MIBK prices witnessed a significant surge of USD 230/MT on month-on-month basis to reach USD 2625/MT for April MIBK deliveries. Exports to different regions are likely to stay hampered at least till April.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
The Asian MIBK market was balanced-to-tight during the first quarter as the import volumes stood hampered due to material shortages occurring in the western regions, followed by the production hiccups as the downstream plant’s shutdown prior to the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays. However, several buyers sought to replenish their inventories after the holidays sensing increment in demand from the paints and coating sector. FOB prices for the MIBK April deliveries were settled at USD 1272/MT in March-end.
Europe
The European market was sluggish as the supplies were tight during the first quarter of 2021 owing to curtailed production amid bad weather conditions and container shortages causing raw material Acetone to shorten in supply. Extreme weather conditions led to reduced operating rate of the plants in the northwestern European region. Demand remained balanced in the region as the offtakes from the automotive and construction sector surged towards the end.
For the Quarter Ending September 2020
Asia
The Asian MIBK market witnessed consistent demand from almost all the end-use sectors, majorly rubber tyre producers and the paints & coatings sector by the end of third quarter. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of production plants which became non-operational in Q2 resumed their operations near to the end Q3. China’s Ningbo Zhenyang started its 15,000 tonnes/year plant by the closing of Q3. Supply remained impacted as several leading players delayed resumption in their production lines. PetroChina Jilin delayed the restart of its 15,000 tonnes/year plant till October, from the earlier scheduled September. This triggered a marked shortage in the supply of MIBK in the region. Firming crude supported by nagging production helped in pushing the prices upward since the August end.
North America
The North American MIBK demand in the US and other American countries was noted to be constant during the third quarter. Strong pick-up in the upstream Propylene and crude oil further further rendered an inclining trend to the regional MIBK prices. Lack of movement across the region in Q2 dure to trade related restrictions was seen easing by the mid of Q3. Slowdown in the downstream construction and paints & coating sector in the US significantly reduced the overall MIBK consumption which however is anticipated to trace back to pre-COVID era towards the year-
end.
Europe
Shortage in the product supply was reported in Q3 on account of halted imports from the Asian countries like China which was heard dedicatedly ramping up feedstock exports over derivatives. Plant turnarounds amid surging COVID-19 cases exacerbated the supply shortage in the region during Q2 and Q3. However, increasing demand and recovering dynamics in the downstream paints & coatings and automotive sectors bolstered the overall producer run rates towards the end of Q3.
