DL-sec-Butyl acetate

Market Intelligence Report on Sec-Butyl Acetate, Recent Commodity Market Dynamics

I. Market Price Dynamics

- Overall Price Trend: In early July 2026, the market price of sec-butyl acetate exhibited a stable yet slightly weakening trend. On July 1, the national average price stood at RMB 5,312 per metric ton, down by RMB 16 per metric ton (a decline of 0.30%) compared to the previous trading day. The reference price range was RMB 4,790–5,600 per metric ton.

- Regional Price Disparities:
- South China Region: Prices remained stable at RMB 5,600–5,650 per metric ton (delivered, cash-on-delivery basis).
- North China Region: Prices ranged from RMB 5,200–5,500 per metric ton (delivered, cash-on-delivery basis), down by RMB 50 per metric ton versus the prior day.
- East China Region: Prices held steady at RMB 5,500–5,600 per metric ton (delivered, cash-on-delivery basis).
- Central China Region: Prices ranged from RMB 5,200–5,300 per metric ton (delivered, cash-on-delivery basis), down by RMB 50 per metric ton versus the prior day.
- Northwest China Region: Prices ranged from RMB 4,790–4,795 per metric ton (auction-based ex-factory price), down by RMB 80 per metric ton versus the prior day.

II. Supply-Demand Situation

- Supply Side:
- Industry-wide operating rates remain relatively low, and tightened supply provides limited bottom support for market prices. Major production facilities in Central and North China are currently shut down; operating loads in East China’s production bases also remain at low levels.
- Premium margins in auction-based sales in the Northwest region have narrowed, further exerting downward pressure on the overall national average price.

- Demand Side:
- Downstream terminal demand remains persistently weak, with overall procurement sentiment subdued; only sporadic, necessity-driven transactions occurred in the market.
- As the traditional summer off-season for demand has commenced, downstream market demand is broadly sluggish, and end-user purchasing intent remains low.

III. Raw Material Market Dynamics

- Acetic Acid: On July 1, acetic acid prices posted marginal gains regionally, with the national average price at RMB 2,866 per metric ton—up by RMB 2 per metric ton (an increase of ~0.07%) from the previous trading day. Transaction prices ranged between RMB 2,730 and RMB 3,130 per metric ton. Supply-side support stems from an increasing number of announced plant maintenance shutdowns, fostering expectations of tighter supply and underpinning producer quotations. However, persistent weakness in downstream terminal demand—and cost pressure from declining raw material input costs—continue to constrain upward price momentum.

- Etherified C4 (Ether-Grade Butane): On July 1, the domestic etherified C4 market averaged RMB 4,922 per metric ton, up by RMB 18 per metric ton (a rise of 0.37%) versus the prior day. Although international crude oil prices closed lower—providing insufficient cost-side support—localized supply reductions, coupled with relatively robust procurement enthusiasm from downstream deep-processing enterprises and manageable inventory levels at most refineries, have sustained sellers’ firm pricing stance.

Analysis and Assessment

1. Price Outlook: Sec-butyl acetate prices are expected to remain stable yet slightly soft in the near term, primarily constrained by persistently weak downstream terminal demand and low industry operating rates. Although tightened supply offers some floor support, the pronounced lack of demand strength makes any significant price rebound unlikely.

2. Supply-Demand Balance: Current supply-demand conditions are relatively balanced; however, continued downstream demand weakness may persist for some time, exerting ongoing downward pressure on pricing. Upward adjustments in operating rates will hinge upon completion of scheduled plant maintenance and recovery in market demand.

3. Raw Material Impact: Fluctuations in acetic acid and etherified C4 prices directly affect sec-butyl acetate production costs. Future trends in raw material pricing will therefore closely influence sec-butyl acetate market prices.

Forecast

1. Short-Term Forecast: Over the next week, sec-butyl acetate prices are expected to remain stable yet slightly soft, with a reference price range of RMB 4,800–5,600 per metric ton. Modest price recovery may emerge as downstream demand gradually improves and supply-side operating rates rise.

2. Medium-Term Forecast: By the end of 2026, demand for sec-butyl acetate is expected to strengthen, driven by the seasonal peak demand in downstream sectors such as coatings and inks. Concurrently, higher operating rates on the supply side and stabilization of raw material prices will support price recovery. Prices are projected to rebound to the range of RMB 5,500–6,000 per metric ton.

3. Long-Term Forecast: Over the next five years, the sec-butyl acetate market is expected to maintain steady growth. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations and growing adoption of green chemistry principles will accelerate industry transformation toward greener, more efficient, and sustainable development pathways. By 2030, domestic apparent consumption is forecast to reach 3.39 million metric tons, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.8%.