For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
鈥� In the USA, the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index fell by 22% quarter-over-quarter, driven by oversupply pressures.
鈥� The average 2-Ethylhexanol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1405.67/MT on assessed domestic trade.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Spot Price remained soft amid imports, high inventories, limited purchasing across coatings and plasticizers.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Production Cost Trend showed upward pressure from higher propylene and logistics expenses this quarter.
鈥� Elevated domestic operating rates and steady imports pushed the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index lower, reducing leverage.
鈥� Export weakness to Canada and Mexico and hurricane caution intensified bearish spot market pressure locally.
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol change in September 2025 in North America?
鈥� Ample Gulf Coast supply and imports boosted inventories, reducing spot tightness and downward price pressure.
鈥� Weak downstream demand from plasticizers, paints and coatings limited procurement, prolonging inventory digestion across channels.
鈥� Rising propylene feedstock costs pressured production economics, but competitive selling and logistics prevented cost pass-through.
APAC
鈥� In Japan, the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index fell by 2.1% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting modest bearish supply pressure.
鈥� The average 2-Ethylhexanol price for the quarter was approximately USD 997.67/MT, reflecting import parity levels.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Spot Price remained range-bound as the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index signalled recovery amid balanced inventories.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Production Cost Trend remained stable due to flat propylene costs, limiting price escalation risks.
鈥� Inventory drawdowns counterbalanced import inflows, keeping the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index broadly stable during September assessment.
鈥� Domestic scheduled maintenance and regional turnarounds intermittently tightened availability, but export demand remained insufficient to lift prices.
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol change in September 2025 in APAC?
鈥� Reduced intra-Asia freight and yen appreciation lowered import parity, enabling competitive imports that pressured domestic pricing.
鈥� Inventory liquidation by suppliers amid weak construction and plasticizer demand kept the market in bearish balance.
鈥� Stable propylene feedstock costs limited production cost inflation, preventing significant upward pressure on 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index.
Europe
鈥� In Germany, the 2-Ethylhexanol Price Index fell by 1.58% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand and modest feedstock easing.
鈥� The average 2-Ethylhexanol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1079.33/MT, reflecting subdued seasonal trading.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Spot Price remained range-bound amid balanced inventories and limited spot-market participation across Germany in August and September.
鈥� 2-Ethylhexanol Production Cost Trend eased as propylene declined, relieving cost pressures and limiting producer discounting.
鈥� Price Index movements were moderated by port congestion, export competitiveness loss, and balanced domestic inventories restricting volatility.
鈥� Planned maintenance and selective curtailments at major producers supported intermittent tightness, underpinning localized upward pressure.
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol change in September 2025 in Europe?
鈥� Sustained weak downstream demand from construction and automotive reduced offtake, creating downward pressure on September prices.
鈥� Propylene cost declines eased production costs, while port congestion and logistics frictions constrained export arbitrage opportunities.
鈥� Producers maintained curtailed run rates and liquidated inventories, balancing supply but limiting meaningful price recovery.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
鈥� The 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) spot price in North America declined by 7.9% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a declining Price Index.
鈥� Low demand conditions from the primary construction sector and automotive sector continued to remain the prime factor for the downward pull on the prices.
鈥� Procurement activity remained as per need only basis due to lower offtakes from the paints and coating sector which kept the bearishness of the market mostly intact
鈥� Trade war from the primary importer Chinese and North American markets led to sluggish export activity as buyers from Asia pulled out from market discussions
鈥� Export conditions to the primary Mexican and Canadian markets remained low amidst a decline in weekly railcar loadings
鈥� Suppliers were heard to have been moving backlogged inventories at lower prices
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) change in July 2025 in the US?
鈥� In July 2025, the Price Index of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) was reported to听 have declined听 as procurements sentiments dampened听 during the official start of the North Atlantic Hurricane Season
鈥� Post the 4th of July 2025听 holidays suppliers were heard听 moving inventories at lower prices听听
鈥� Uncertainty in trade conditions听 largely听 kept听 procurement from abroad low听 during the month which resulted in a downward pull to the prices
Europe
鈥� The 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) spot price in Europe declined by 10.1% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a softer Price Index.
鈥� Lower production costs witnessed as indicated by drop of 14% in the prices of feedstock Propylene.听听
鈥� Low demand conditions from the primary construction sector continued to remain the prime factor for the downward pull on the prices
鈥� Export demand and conditions remained sluggish amidst the Euro appreciation, congestions witnessed across the Northwest European ports which continued to impart a bearish pressure on the prices
鈥� European originated 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) inventories faced competition from Asian and North American suppliers as Turkish buyers leaned away from higher priced European cargoes in favour of more attractively priced Asian and North American originated inventories.
鈥� Despite producers have been heard maintaining curtailed run rates to lengthen the market situation, suppliers were heard moving backlogged inventories at lower prices which maintained the bearish conditions persistent in the market.
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) change in July 2025 across Europe?
鈥� In July 2025, the Price Index of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) was reported to have decreased because of inactive market amidst the seasonal summer holidays.
鈥� Suppliers were to have been moving backlogged inventories at lower prices leading toa broadly bearish market fundamentals.
鈥� Market players have mostly expressed pessimism in the demand conditions from the construction industries and in the paints and coating sectors
APAC
鈥� The 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) Price Index in the APAC region declined by 0.9% on a quarter-over-quarter basis in Q2 2025, primarily driven by a persistently oversupplied market, especially in Japan and surrounding East Asian countries.
鈥� Material availability remained ample throughout the quarter, as the Japanese market experienced delayed cargo arrivals in April and steady inflows of Chinese-origin cargoes in May, which maintained downward pressure on the Price Index despite moderate domestic consumption.
鈥� Feedstock Propylene prices trended downward across Asia during the quarter, aided by higher PDH (Propane Dehydrogenation) plant operating rates in June, which helped reduce input costs for 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) producers and contributed to a stable-to-soft Price Index.
鈥� Demand fundamentals were mixed, with moderate support from paints and coatings applications amid intermittent construction recovery in April and May; however, a sharp decline in Japan鈥檚 housing starts in June and persistent weakness in the automotive sector curtailed any substantial upward momentum in the Price Index.
鈥� Despite temporary supply tightness due to reduced exports from China and Taiwan in June, the impact was largely offset by falling upstream costs, stable freight rates, and subdued demand, ultimately keeping the Price Index on a mildly downward trajectory across the APAC region for Q2 2025.
Why did the price of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) change in July 2025 across APAC?
鈥� In July 2025, the Price Index of 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) was reported to have decreased as the seasonal onset of the rainy season across Asia continued to lead to weaker enquiries from听 customers
鈥� Competitively priced inventories originating from China and Southeast Asia continued to enter at competitive prices amidst expansion in capacity and lower intra-Asia freight charges听
鈥� Chinese suppliers were aggressive in offloading existing inventories听 which resulted in听 Chinese suppliers moving their cargoes at lower prices across the broader Asian market
鈥� The return of major听 producer and supplier in Taiwan namely Formosa Chemical to production during mid-July 2025 is likely to have improved supply conditions across the broader Asian market.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) market surged by 7.2% in Q1 2025, supported by gradual recovery in demand and constrained supply. In January, supply tightened due to maintenance at Nan Ya Plastics, while rising freight charges and anticipation of a potential port strike influenced pricing. Despite delays from Iso-Tank shortages, ample pre-strike inventories helped stabilize the market.听
February saw price hikes by OQ Chemicals and Perstorp amid low imports from East Asia due to ongoing outages at key plants. Export demand improved slightly, but lingering inventories kept export prices subdued. In March, resumed production at major Asian plants and a 6% freight rate drop pressured import prices. However, domestic supply remained tight due to reduced US refinery run rates, leading to firm domestic pricing. Restocking and seasonal demand recovery from downstream plasticizer sectors, particularly DOP, supported the bullish trend.听
Suppliers increasingly preferred domestic 2-EH to avoid potential tariff impacts. Overall, while imports became more affordable, domestic shortages and rising demand sustained price momentum across the quarter, positioning 2-EH as tighter than n-Butanol but more available than Iso-Butanol in the oxo-alcohol market.
贰耻谤辞辫别听
The European 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) market witnessed an 8.1% price surge in Q1 2025, driven by higher production costs, reduced operating rates, and persistent supply constraints, despite sluggish demand from downstream plasticizer and coatings sectors. In January, ample inventories from year-end destocking in Germany and Belgium exerted downward pressure on prices. Supply remained adequate but lighter than n-butanol, and logistical bottlenecks at ports like Antwerp hindered cargo movement. In February, prices rose due to a 4.3% increase in Propylene costs and multiple outages at upstream plants. Producers maintained low run rates, some near 60%鈥攚hile key manufacturers like OQ Chemicals and Perstorp Oxo-AB implemented price hikes. However, weak demand from adhesives, sealants, and construction chemicals persisted, with the construction sector in a downturn and firms reducing procurement. March saw a further 8% rise in Propylene prices, amplifying 2-EH costs. Continued supply limitations, low cracker operations, port congestion, including Red Sea disruptions, tightened availability. Demand showed slight improvement due to pre-spring restocking but overall remained weak. Suppliers were cautious, as construction and automotive sectors continued to have underwhelming performance.
APAC
The Asia-Pacific 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH) market faced bearish conditions through Q1 2025, primarily due to weak demand from the paints, coatings, and plasticizer sectors. Despite minimal price depreciation, production outages and reduced output helped curb steeper declines. In January, limited imports and curtailed production due to maintenance at Nan Ya Plastics鈥� plant supported prices, while declining freight charges offset upward cost pressures. Propylene prices rose by 1.1%, but weak domestic consumption restrained price hikes. In February, supply remained abundant, boosted by post-Lunar New Year Chinese exports, including a 14,500 MT parcel from Tianjin. Despite price hikes by major global producers like OQ Chemicals and Perstorp, intense competition and falling freight rates (down 12%) prevented significant price increases. Additional supply disruptions due to force majeure at Nan Ya Plastics and maintenance at Hanwha Solutions tightened output but failed to shift bearish sentiment. In March, falling feedstock prices and rising PDH rates reduced production costs. Chinese suppliers cut prices further, increasing low-cost inventories. Japan鈥檚 persistent construction sector slump鈥攔eflected in declining housing starts鈥攌ept demand subdued. Overall, ample supply and weak demand sustained the bearish market outlook.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America听
The U.S. 2-EH market experienced mixed trends during the fourth quarter of 2024. Prices initially rose by approximately 2% in October due to disruptions caused by the hurricane season. Force majeure declarations at several U.S. Propylene production facilities led to reduced 2-EH production, pushing prices up during the early part of the quarter. However, as production conditions improved later in the quarter, prices fell by around 6%.听
Export conditions remained unfavorable for much of the period, with the strike between the International Longshoremen鈥檚 Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) resulting in vessel backlogs, leading to inventory accumulation at ports. Demand conditions showed mixed trends, with positive momentum from the automotive sector but bearish pressure from the construction sector's downturn.听
Toward the end of the year, supply conditions improved as suppliers engaged in destocking to avoid inventory devaluation and year-end tax repercussions. While export conditions showed some improvement, the market remained largely oversupplied, limiting any significant price recovery. Additionally, export prices of 2-EH faced competition as approximately 1.3 million tons of oxo-alcohol capacity came online across Asia in December 2024. This led to U.S. suppliers importing attractively priced inventories from the Asian market, further exerting downward pressure on domestic prices.
Europe
During late Q4 2024, prices of 2-EH across the German market fell by approximately 15% due to ample supplies amid low demand conditions. Following OQ Chemicals' return to production in early May, the market struggled to recover from its bearish trend, as demand from primary sectors like paints and coatings remained weak. The downturn persisted throughout the latter part of the quarter, with destocking activities intensifying as early as mid-November 2024. Producers faced challenges in passing on higher feedstock Propylene costs to customers, further pressuring the market. Arbitrage opportunities in and out of Europe stayed largely closed, and inland trading encountered disruptions, exacerbated by maintenance at several ports in Northwestern Europe. These issues hindered product flow, leading to inventory accumulation and further price declines. Toward the year鈥檚 end, producers attempted to stabilize the market by reducing production, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful. The European 2-EH market was marked by limited outages and ample supplies as suppliers sought to move inventories in bulk to avoid tax repercussions. This effort to clear stocks became a dominant factor behind the persistent bearishness observed in the market.
APAC
During Q4 2024, the Asian 2-EH market experienced fluctuations, with prices rising by 1.2% early in the quarter before dropping 2.8% by its end. In Japan, production costs increased in November as feedstock Propylene prices rose by 1.1%, driven by maintenance turnarounds and limited PDH operating rates in South Korea. Supply constraints worsened as Taiwan鈥檚 Formosa Plastics and South Korea鈥檚 Hanwha Solutions cut production, while rising shipping costs pushed import prices higher. The Intra-Asia Container Index surged 45% in November, from $573 to $829 per 40ft container, amid pre-Christmas demand. JNC Corporation raised 2-EH prices by Yen 10,000/MT for October 2024 deliveries due to rising logistics and storage costs. However, sluggish demand from the paints and coatings sector, impacted by Japan鈥檚 weak construction activity, reversed the bullish trend. Additionally, over 1 million tonnes of oxo-alcohol capacity came online in China late in the quarter, driving prices downward. By year-end, the Japanese market faced a downturn due to high costs and subdued downstream demand.
