tert-Butyl Acetate

# Market Intelligence on tert-Butyl Acetate (2026 Mid-October to Early November)

---

## I. Price Overview

| Time Point | Specification/Region | Price (CNY/ton) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10 | Domestic 99% | 21,000 | — |
| Oct 11 | Domestic 99% | 22,750 | +1,750 |
| Oct 12 | Domestic 99% | 20,500 | -2,250 |
| Oct 13 | Domestic 99% | 21,000 | +500 |
| Oct 14 | Domestic 99% | 20,500 | -500 |
| Oct 14 | Domestic 99.5% | 15,000 | Flat |
| Oct 14 | East China Mainstream Transaction | 8,500–8,800 | Weekly increase of 200–300 (+2.5%~3.5%) |
| Oct 14 | South China Region | 8,600–8,900 | Weekly increase of 200–300 |
| Oct 14 | North China Region | 8,400–8,700 | Slight rise |
| Oct 14 | Asia FOB Korea | 1,150–1,200 USD/ton | Weekly increase of 20–30 USD |
| Oct 14 | Europe CIF | 1,250–1,300 EUR/ton | Slight increase |
| Oct 14 | Three-Month Average Price | 15,136 | — |
| Oct 14 | Three-Month Range | 15,000–17,500 | — |
| Nov 8 | Latest Quotations from Manufacturers | To be updated | SunSirs benchmark price dynamically released |

**Core Assessment:** In mid-October, tert-butyl acetate prices were at a low level within the past year, but signs of stabilization and recovery have emerged. Specific quotation data for early November is pending further confirmation.

---

## II. Supply-Side Dynamics

- **Operating Rate:** The overall operating rate of domestic tert-butyl acetate production enterprises remains at **75%–80%**. Some enterprises have experienced brief shutdowns due to equipment maintenance or raw material supply issues, but overall supply remains relatively stable.
- **New Capacity:** There are no plans for large-scale new capacity commissioning, and supply-side increments are limited, providing structural support for price bottoming out.
- **Import Landscape:** Import volumes have decreased compared to the previous month, primarily due to rising international market prices increasing import costs and reducing traders' purchasing enthusiasm. Import sources are concentrated in Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, with relatively fewer imports from Europe.

---

## III. Demand-Side Dynamics

| Downstream Sector | Current Status |
|---|---|
| **Coatings Industry** | Demand in real estate and automotive sectors has recovered, boosting coating output and increasing demand for tert-butyl acetate accordingly. |
| **Inks Industry** | The packaging and printing industry is recovering, driving growth in ink market demand and rising procurement volumes. |
| **Adhesives Industry** | Demand in construction and electronics sectors is stable, providing certain demand support. |
| **Export Market** | Export volumes have increased compared to previous periods, mainly flowing to Southeast Asia and South Asia, where Chinese products maintain a clear price advantage. |

---

## IV. Cost-Side Analysis

- **Acetic Acid:** The mainstream price in East China is 3,000–3,200 CNY/ton, up 100–200 CNY/ton from previous levels, significantly strengthening cost support.
- **tert-Butanol:** Affected by crude oil price fluctuations and supply tightness, production costs have increased, pushing prices up and further raising the cost floor for tert-butyl acetate.

---

## V. Trend Analysis and Forecast

### 5.1 Short-Term Judgment (Next 1–2 Weeks)

**Range-bound with a bullish bias, moderate upward movement.** Reasons as follows:

1. **Solid Cost Floor:** Rising prices for both acetic acid and tert-butanol have constructed a strong cost support barrier for tert-butyl acetate, effectively compressing downside space.
2. **Slightly Tight Supply and Demand:** Operating rates are stable with no new capacity, while downstream demand in coatings, inks, and adhesives continues to recover, coupled with increased exports, resulting in a slightly tight supply-demand relationship.
3. **Price Position:** Current prices are at a low point in the annual cycle, offering rebound elasticity. The three-month average price is 15,136 CNY/ton, with approximately 15.6% room for recovery from the three-month high of 17,500 CNY/ton.

### 5.2 Medium-Term Outlook (1–3 Months)

- If raw material prices remain high and downstream demand further releases, **East China prices are expected to break through 9,000 CNY/ton**, and domestic 99.5% specification prices are expected to recover from 15,000 CNY/ton to the 16,000–17,000 CNY/ton range.
- Asia FOB Korea prices may reach **1,200–1,250 USD/ton**.
- However, caution is needed: If raw material prices pull back or downstream demand falls short of expectations, the magnitude of the price increase will be suppressed.

### 5.3 Risk Warnings

| Risk Factor | Impact Direction |
|---|---|
| Significant drop in raw material acetic acid/tert-butanol prices | Bearish, cost support collapses |
| Sudden cooling in downstream real estate and automotive demand | Bearish, demand-side collapse |
| Unexpected release of new capacity | Bearish, sudden increase in supply pressure |
| Changes in global economic conditions/trade friction | Uncertain, requires continuous tracking |

---

## VI. Operational Recommendations

- **Purchasers:** Current prices are at a yearly low; it is advisable to build positions at low levels moderately. However, it is recommended to procure in batches and control inventory cycles to avoid one-time large-scale stockpiling.
- **Traders:** Monitor the latest manufacturer quotation dynamics in mid-to-late November. If East China prices stabilize above 8,800 CNY/ton, consider moderate long positions.
- **Production Enterprises:** Maintain normal operating rates, monitor raw material procurement pace, and leverage current cost advantages to lock in long-term contracts with downstream customers.