For the Quarter Ending March 2026
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Butanediol Prices in听North America
- In USA, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 2.64% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting neutral supply and demand.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1534.00/MT, with markets remaining range-bound.
- Butanediol Spot Price momentum shifted from sideways to bullish after geopolitical energy rally boosted sentiment.
- Butanediol Price Forecast suggests near-term firmness while structural supply remains adequate and upside may moderate.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend tightened as butadiene feedstock spiked, increasing variable costs without forcing cuts.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook remained muted with conservative downstream procurement and steady polyurethane and spandex consumption.
- Butanediol Price Index showed limited downside in Q1 due to balanced inventories and steady output.
- Export flows and import arrivals capped domestic offers, influencing regional arbing and short-term tightness perceptions.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in March 2026 in North America?
- Rising butadiene feedstock pushed production costs higher, supporting seller offers despite adequate supply volumes regionally.
- Geopolitical energy disruptions improved market sentiment, inducing speculative buying and incremental upstream cost pass-through pressure.
- Stable plant operating rates and timely Asian import arrivals prevented physical shortages, tempering larger price spikes.
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Butanediol Prices in听APAC
- In South Korea, the Butanediol Price Index rose by 0.75% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting modest feedstock pressures.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1126.00/MT, with term volumes steady.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained firm; import cargoes and inventory draw tightened prompt availability at Busan.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend saw upward pressure as 1,3-butadiene increases raised cash costs, squeezing margins.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook is constructive as downstream PBT, spandex run-rates lift, supporting Butanediol Price Forecast.
- Butanediol Price Index tightened in March as exporters prioritised overseas parcels over domestic spot availability.
- Busan inventories modest; term liftings covered needs and limited merchant tonnes remained for prompt sale.
- South Korea's Ulsan unit maintained full rates, limiting flexibility despite steady imports and normal shipping.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Elevated 1,3-butadiene feedstock costs increased production cash costs, pressuring spot offers despite producer margin absorption.
- Export demand from Southeast Asia tightened prompt availability as exporters favoured higher-margin foreign parcels abroad.
- Higher freight rates and geopolitical risk elevated logistics premiums, incentivising precautionary buying and raising prices.
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Butanediol Prices in听Europe
- In Germany, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 2.35% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tightened imports and weaker demand.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was USD 1439.33/MT, reflecting DDP and spot assessments.
- Butanediol Spot Price strengthened late March after anti-dumping measures, tightening arrivals and boosting short-term purchasing interest.
- Butanediol Price Forecast indicates upside risk from freight disruptions, energy cost increases and constrained imports.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend showed upward pressure from rising crude and gas, raising acetylene-route expenses.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook remains subdued as automotive and polyurethane sectors delay restocking and maintain hand-to-mouth procurement.
- Butanediol Price Index recovered late March due to provisional duties and regional logistics constraints tightening availability.
- Domestic plant uptime remained stable while inventories tightened, supporting sellers' leverage amid limited import arbitrage.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Provisional anti-dumping duties reduced Chinese import flows, tightening supply into Northwest European markets during March.
- Strait of Hormuz tensions slowed sailings, raising freight surcharges, delaying Asian cargo arrivals to Germany.
- Higher crude and natural gas increased energy costs, raising production expenses for acetylene-route BDO producers.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
- In USA, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 8.71% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weaker spot export demand.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1575.67/MT, reflecting reported FOB assessments.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained rangebound as imports and runs constrained upside in the Price Index.
- Butanediol Price Forecast expects modest monthly fluctuations amid balanced supply, seasonal demand, and inventory smoothing.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend showed slight easing as听natural gas听linked听hydrogen听costs retreated marginally.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook remains muted short-term with softer construction and automotive听polyurethane听sectors reducing offtake.
- Butanediol Price Index weakness was reinforced by competitive Asian imports and conservative procurement among buyers.
- Balanced inventories and normal Gulf operations limited volatility while mixed export demand kept price subdued.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in December 2025 in North America?
- Ample import inflows and steady domestic output increased supply versus weak downstream demand, pressuring prices.
- Eased natural gas and hydrogen costs mildly reduced variable production expenses, removing notable cost-push support.
- Smooth ports and shorter transit improved supply reliability while buyer caution, seasonality limited restocking demand.
APAC
- In South Korea, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 1.41% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting import-led supply surplus.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1117.67/MT, reflecting stable FOB Busan quotations.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained range-bound amid steady imports and subdued downstream purchasing, pressuring upward movement opportunities.
- Butanediol Price Forecast indicates modest downside risk given ample terminal inventories balanced against periodic logistical friction.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend showed limited savings as lower feedstock prices partially offset freight and energy tariff pressures.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook remains cautious with PTMEG stable while PBT and THF end-markets show selective softness limiting restocking.
- Butanediol Price Index movements were constrained by smooth Busan berthings, exporter competition, and lack of major domestic outages.
- Terminal inventory levels and steady Ulsan plant operations kept availability comfortable, limiting short-term volatility risks in export markets.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in December 2025 in APAC?
- High import volumes maintained ample availability while domestic output remained routine, constraining upward price pressure.
- Flat feedstock costs and stable energy tariffs limited production cost escalation despite rising late-December freight premiums.
- Subdued downstream procurement, selective PBT and THF softness, and competitive Chinese exports capped Korean FOB recovery.
Europe
- In Germany, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 8.6% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting logistical bottlenecks and softer downstream demand.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1474.00/MT, reflecting subdued spot activity and balanced inventories.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained range-bound during December, keeping the Butanediol Price Index near recent multi-week lows.
- The Butanediol Demand Outlook stayed muted as automotive and specialty polymer call-offs matched normal seasonal consumption.
- Weak feedstock movements produced a stable Butanediol Production Cost Trend, limiting producer willingness to hike offers.
- Short-term Butanediol Price Forecast indicates limited upside absent feedstock shocks or sudden restocking from distributors.
- Elevated inventories and restrained export demand weighed on the Butanediol Price Index and pressured seller margins.
- Major German producers operated at normal rates but withheld run-rate increases, supporting steady Butanediol spot liquidity.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Balanced domestic inflows and restrained downstream offtake resulted in limited spot buying, keeping prices largely unchanged.
- Stable听methanol听and听acetylene听feedstock costs contained the Butanediol Production Cost Trend, limiting upward price pressure.
- Improved container availability and lower freight reduced landed Asian offers, maintaining import parity and price equilibrium.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In the USA, the Butanediol Price Index fell by 0.94% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting balanced supply conditions.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1726.00/MT. reflecting rangebound FOB Texas.
- Butanediol Spot Price softened mid-quarter as propylene declines offset firm butadiene, pressuring offers modestly thereby.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend showed easing as feedstock flows remained steady and energy costs contained.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook stayed subdued; PTMEG, PBT, and THF demand remained steady without restocking surges.
- Butanediol Price Forecast expects rangebound FOB Texas movements unless feedstock or hurricane disruptions alter supply.
- Inventory discipline and term contracts kept Butanediol Price Index stability, limiting spot volatility and buying.
- Export demand from Latin America and Asia supported contracts; spot uptake remained selective and cautious.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in September 2025 in North America?
- Adequate domestic production and balanced inventories reduced urgency, causing stable offers and limited upward price pressure.
- Eased propylene and butadiene costs trimmed production expenses, softening seller pricing power across Gulf Coast nodes.
- Export flows remained contractual and shipping normalized, keeping spot demand subdued and preventing notable price rebounds.
Europe
- In Germany, the Butanediol Price Index rose by 2.20% quarter-over-quarter, amid feedstock and logistics constraints.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1612.67/MT, reflecting measured contract demand.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained range-bound as producers maintained run rates amid port and rail congestion.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend edged higher driven by firmer propylene input costs despite stable butadiene.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook is mixed, textile-related PTMEG strength offset by weaker automotive and PBT demand.
- Butanediol Price Forecast suggests modest downside risk as weak industrial indicators temper appetite for restocking.
- Butanediol Price Index stability reflected balanced inventories as buyers prioritized delivery certainty over speculative purchasing.
- Domestic producers ran reliably, while smooth Asia-to-Rhine imports and intra-EU flows kept inventories adequately supplied.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Balanced domestic output versus subdued downstream demand left comfortable stocks, limiting immediate upward price pressure.
- Rising propylene costs increased production expense but were offset by stable butadiene and flat energy.
- Port and rail congestion disrupted logistics and delivery timing, prompting cautious buyer ordering and procurement.
APAC
- In South Korea, the Butanediol Price Index rose by 8.97% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger export demand and balanced supply.
- The average Butanediol price for the quarter was approximately USD 1133.67/MT, based on FOB Busan and contractual volumes.
- Butanediol Spot Price remained range-bound on steady exports and measured spot inquiries, supporting a stable Price Index trajectory.
- Butanediol Price Forecast models indicate modest monthly oscillations with eventual mild tightening, driven by seasonal export restocking.
- Butanediol Production Cost Trend showed limited upward pressure as mixed feedstock moves offset each other this quarter.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook remains cautious, supported by stable PTMEG and THF consumption but constrained discretionary spot volumes.
- Butanediol Price Index reflected balanced inventories and smooth Busan logistics, limiting volatility despite regional downstream softness.
- Steady operating rates at South Korean plants sustained export allocations, keeping offers disciplined amid northern hemisphere demand fluctuations.
- Competitive Chinese offers and freight rates could pressure FOB values, tempering near-term Price Forecast upside.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Balanced domestic output and uninterrupted Busan shipments maintained supply in September, preventing sharp price declines.
- Export demand firmness, especially to Vietnam and China, supported offers despite muted domestic manufacturing indicators.
- Mixed feedstock movements limited production cost pressures, keeping sellers cautious while downstream procurement remained order driven.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
- The Butanediol Price Index (FOB US Gulf) fell by 4.4% in the course of Q2 2025, descending from USD 2,700/tonne in April ringing in at USD 2,580/tonne in June, attributed to sluggish domestic consumption and balanced inventories on merchant channels.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in July 2025?听
- In July 2025, Butanediol prices declined further as industrial and automotive sectors failed to offer meaningful offtake, even as feedstock costs like Butadiene showed limited upward momentum. The overall market sentiment was weak with downstream restocking deferred.
- Butanediol Spot Price levels stayed under pressure due to contract-heavy supply chains and limited discretionary buying, especially in the adhesive and engineered plastics segments.
- There were no major logistics or freight-related disruptions reported in Q2 2025 from U.S. Gulf ports, keeping FOB US Gulf shipments consistent despite subdued activity.
- The Butanediol Demand Outlook for Q3 remains weak, with no clear rebound in core consuming industries. Specialty chemical buyers remain cautious amid inflation-driven budgeting slowdowns.
- The Butanediol Production Cost Trend was mostly steady due to stable natural gas prices and minimal fluctuation in crude-linked intermediates. However, margin compression was evident as downstream prices weakened faster than input costs.
- Butanediol Price Forecast: Q3 2025 prices are expected to remain soft or edge down slightly unless export interest improves from Latin America or Europe.
Europe听
- The Butanediol Price Index (FD Northwest Europe) rose gradually during Q2 2025, peaking at around USD 2,780/tonne, posting a +3.7% quarter-over-quarter gain.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in July 2025?
- The July price increase was driven by tight supply availability due to turnarounds at central European facilities, even as downstream demand remained stable to slightly weak across automotive polymers and specialty coatings.
- Inventory levels in Western Europe were low as producers prioritized key contract customers. The Netherlands saw a sharper increase due to localized stock depletion and delayed imports from Asia.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook for Q3 2025 is mixed. Automotive sector remains weak amid tepid vehicle production, but pharmaceuticals and 3D printing resins offer upside.
- The Butanediol Production Cost Trend remained under slight pressure as utilities costs increased in June, though feedstock volatility was minimal.
- Regulatory tightening on chemical storage and environmental compliance also led to increased handling costs.
- Butanediol Price Forecast for Q3: A sideways-to-slightly soft trend is expected unless new downstream demand from construction coatings materializes.
APAC
- The Butanediol Price Index (FOB South Korea) dropped in Q2 2025, averaging USD 2,480/tonne, a -4.2% decline from Q1 2025.
Why did the price of Butanediol change in July 2025?
- The July decline was primarily due to weak regional demand and rising oversupply risks, especially from Chinese and Southeast Asian producers offering at aggressive price points.
- Butanediol Spot Price came under pressure as large-volume spot parcels from China flooded Southeast Asia, forcing South Korean sellers to cut offers for export competitiveness.
- Demand fluctuations in the polyurethane and spandex sectors added to market uncertainty, while Indian buyers remained conservative on new bookings.
- The Butanediol Production Cost Trend declined mildly due to softened feedstock prices (maleic anhydride), though capacity utilization remained high among Korean producers.
- Supply chain stability was maintained, but price competition intensified, squeezing profitability.
- Butanediol Demand Outlook for Q3 2025: Cautious, with potential improvement only if Chinese domestic consumption stabilizes or restocking emerges in India and Vietnam.
- Butanediol Price Forecast: The trend is expected to remain under downward pressure, though any shutdowns or capacity cutbacks could provide a floor.
