果酱视频

The prices of iso-butanol on the Japanese market showed a diverse market scenario in late April 2025.听 Imported prices stayed relatively low and stable, while domestic prices continued their upward trajectory as a result of continuous price revisions by domestic businesses.

Domestic Iso-Butanol prices increased by approximately 2.3% during the period, supported by price hikes announced by major domestic producers, JNC Corporation and KH NeoChem. The two companies implemented price increases of 楼15,000/MT, effective from April 21 and May 21, 2025, respectively. These changes were ascribed to the domestic market's increasing cost pressure, which was exacerbated by ageing industrial facilities, escalating labour costs, and rising operating expenses.

On the supply front, Japanese Iso-Butanol output remained largely constrained amid declining availability of feedstock propylene. Operating rates of Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH) units鈥攁 key source of propylene鈥攆ell to 63.15%, down by 2.6% from the previous month. This reduction further tightened the Iso-Butanol supply in the domestic market.

Across the broader Asian region, Iso-Butanol supply remained limited. Producers across East China and Taiwan, significant exporters of oxo-alcohols including Iso-Butanol, continued to operate at reduced rates. Additional supply tightness is expected in early May due to planned maintenance activities at select facilities, resulting听 in restocking efforts among Japanese buyers ahead of potential inventory shortages.

In China, Iso-Butanol prices rose by roughly 1.1% in late April due to maintenance shutdowns at several production facilities. Meanwhile, China's Iso-Butanol export volumes declined by nearly 56% month-on-month, further reducing availability in the Japanese import market. Despite this, import prices in Japan remained stable due to lagging pass-through of upstream cost pressures.

Another factor contributing to cost-side pressure was a reported 6% increase in intra-Asia freight rates during late April 2025. This development led Japanese suppliers trying to pass on higher logistical expenses to downstream customers, although buyer resistance remained strong resulting in import prices witnessed a stability.

The downstream paints and coatings industry, which is directly related to building activity, showed a little improvement in demand for iso-butanol.听 However, because buyers mostly depended on current stockpiles to meet short-term needs, demand growth remained modest.

Japan鈥檚 construction sector witnessed mixed signals. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, housing starts rose marginally by 0.2% year-on-year in March, reversing a 2.6% decline in February. Annualized housing starts increased to 984,000 units in March from 940,000 units in February. However, construction orders received by the top 50 contractors grew at a slower pace of 1.1% in March, down from 5.7% in February. As a result, consumption of Iso-Butanol remained moderate to low despite signs of gradual recovery in construction activity.

Looking ahead, Iso-Butanol prices in Japan are expected to maintain a slightly upward trajectory, supported by continued price revisions from major Japanese producers and elevated operating costs which is expected to present their effects in the market. Market sentiment is likely to remain moderately bullish amid constrained production levels, as several plants across China and East Asia are either undergoing maintenance turnarounds or operating at reduced capacities. This ongoing supply tightness may reinforce pricing support in the near term.