2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanone

DIBK (Diisobutyl Ketone) Market Intelligence Report (July 29, 2026)

I. Price Trends
1. Mainstream Quotation Ranges
- High Purity (99%):
Shandong Region (Shandong Qiangsen Chemical, Shandong Xima Supply Chain): RMB 23,000/ton
Hubei Region (Hubei Qibajiu Chemical): RMB 18.5/kg (≈ RMB 18,500/ton)
- Medium Purity (96–98%):
Zhejiang Region (Ait Supply Chain — domestic origin): RMB 24,000/ton
Hubei Region (Wuhan Hengjiu Chemical — Dow brand): RMB 24,000/ton
Zhejiang Region (Ait Supply Chain — Dow brand): RMB 28,000/ton (premium pricing)

2. Price Movement Trend
- From July 22 to 29, the 99% purity price in Shandong remained stable at RMB 23,000/ton.
- Hubei Qibajiu Chemical maintained its ex-factory price of RMB 18.5/kg for seven consecutive days, indicating regional low-price competition.
- Ait Supply Chain’s Dow-branded DIBK in Zhejiang surged from RMB 24,000/ton (July 24) to RMB 28,000/ton (July 27), a 16.7% increase—potentially attributable to brand premium or supply tightness.

II. Regional Market Analysis
1. Shandong Market
- Key Suppliers: Shandong Qiangsen Chemical; Shandong Xima Supply Chain
- Price Advantage: RMB 23,000/ton represents the nation’s lowest mainstream market price, supported by local chemical industry cluster advantages and lower logistics costs.
- Production Capacity Context: No new capacity additions reported in the region; price stability is underpinned by balanced supply-demand dynamics.

2. Hubei Market
- Key Suppliers: Hubei Qibajiu Chemical; Wuhan Hengjiu Chemical
- Price Divergence:
Hubei Qibajiu Chemical offers aggressive low pricing at RMB 18.5/kg (≈ RMB 18,500/ton) to capture market share.
Wuhan Hengjiu Chemical’s Dow-branded product is quoted at RMB 24,000/ton—reflecting differentiation in brand positioning and purity level (though 99% purity is not explicitly specified).

3. Zhejiang Market
- Key Supplier: Ait Supply Chain (Dow-branded and domestic products)
- Bipolar Pricing:
Domestic-sourced material: RMB 24,000/ton
Dow-branded material: RMB 28,000/ton—likely reflecting import-related cost premiums or technological barriers.

III. Supply-Demand Fundamentals
1. Supply Side
- Capacity Expansion:
Anhui Zhonghuifa New Materials: 50,000 tons/year MIBK project (co-producing ~1,000 tons/year DIBK);
Henan Ruibai New Materials: 48,000 tons/year MIBK facility (co-producing ~1,050 tons/year DIBK).
- Existing Capacity: Primary production hubs remain Shandong, Hubei, and Zhejiang. Regional supply is generally adequate, though high-end segments (e.g., Dow-branded DIBK) still rely on imports or licensed technology.

2. Demand Side
- Downstream Applications:
Coatings and ink industries (as solvent);
Vacuum metallization and organic synthesis intermediates (requiring high purity).
- Demand Resilience: Although July is traditionally a low season, Hubei Qibajiu Chemical’s aggressive pricing may stimulate inventory-building among small- and medium-sized customers, potentially boosting regional sales volume.

IV. Price Drivers
1. Cost Support
- Fluctuations in raw material isobutylene prices (no direct data provided, but significant cost pass-through effect given its role as primary feedstock);
- Stricter environmental regulations have led to shutdowns among smaller producers, increasing supply concentration.

2. Regional Price Arbitrage
- Logistics cost from Shandong to Hubei is approximately RMB 300–500/ton; thus, Hubei’s low-cost supply may attract procurement from neighboring provinces, potentially eroding Shandong’s market share.

3. Brand Premium
- Dow-branded quotations are 16.7%–33.3% higher than domestic equivalents—demonstrating differential recognition of technological barriers and brand value.

V. Short-Term Outlook (1–3 Months)
1. Price Forecast
- Shandong Market: RMB 23,000/ton may represent a near-term floor; price volatility is expected to remain limited if raw material costs stabilize.
- Hubei Market: Hubei Qibajiu Chemical’s low-price strategy may persist, though other suppliers could follow suit—warranting close monitoring.
- Zhejiang Market: Dow-branded pricing at RMB 28,000/ton is unlikely to sustain; a correction to RMB 25,000–26,000/ton is anticipated.

2. Supply-Demand Evolution
- New capacities in Anhui and Henan are scheduled for commissioning in 2027; supply structure in H2 2026 will remain dominated by existing players competing for market share.
- Preparatory stocking demand ahead of the traditional coatings industry “Golden September & Silver October” peak season may lift transaction volumes in August–September, though upward price pressure will be constrained by expectations of future capacity overhang.

3. Key Risks
- Sharp volatility in isobutylene feedstock prices;
- Regional production halts triggered by intensified environmental inspections;
- Import competition intensifying in the premium segment.