The global 2- Ethylhexanoic Acid(2-EHA) market remained volatile during the first half of April 2025. The prices experienced divergent trend within the Asian market with prices declining in China however experiencing a modest uptick in India and Japan. This current decline is largely attributed to week international demand and inventories buildup within the domestic market. Meanwhile, the western market experienced price stagnancy during the same period in review.

In the Chinese market, the 2-EHA prices experienced a modest downturn during the review period. This price decline is primarily attributed to narrowed disparity between demand and supply. On the demand side, the procuring activity for 2-EHA from the international market has remained muted particularly North America owing to high tariffs imposed by North American governments further restrained purchasing.

To add to this, inventories of 2-EHA within the domestic market continue to build up. Manufacturing units emitting 2-EHA continue to operate at a healthy rate along with adequate supply of essential raw material 2-EH, meanwhile persistent port congestion, particularly at Shanghai, Ningbo, and Bohai ports, worsened the supply glut, as weather-related disruptions kept vessel queues high and delayed product offloading leading to sufficient inventories in the domestic market. Although some North Asian ports saw minor improvements, blocking in North and Central China remained severe. The combination of excessive inventories, limited consumption, and logistical challenges prompted sellers to lower prices further to clear stock and maintain cash flow.

On the other hand, the 2-EHA prices increased in the Indian and Japanese market. OQ chemicals, one of the major manufacturers of 2-EHA across the globe, has raised its quotation effective from April 1st due to supply demand imbalance. In response to this adjustment and to maintaining their profit margins, traders in these markets also raised their selling prices. The combination of higher producer quotations and steady market demand contributed to the upward pressure on 2-EHA prices during this period.

Meanwhile, during the same period in review the prices of 2-EHA remained stable in the North American market. The current market dynamics were shaped by growing concerns over potential shifts in tariff policies, which unexpectedly spurred a short-term demand as buyers moved to secure inventory ahead of any regulatory changes. In response to this, the domestic traders capitalized on this uptick in interest by maintaining stable price levels to encourage more purchase offers and sustain market momentum. On the supply side, while imports of Chinese-origin 2-EHA were slightly restricted due to trade uncertainties, the availability of materials from other Asian suppliers, coupled with adequate stockpiled inventories, contributed to the balance of the market. This equilibrium in supply conditions further supported the observed price stability across the region.

According to ChemAnalyst analysis, the prices of 2-EHA are expected to continue to fluctuate in the coming days due to frequent price increases by significant manufacturers in the global market. Additionally, it is anticipated that demand from the significant downstream automotive sector would rebound in the following days, suggesting a possible change in 2-EHA prices.