High Inventories and Weak Demand Continue to Plague US n-Propyl Acetate Prices

Texas (USA): This week witnessed a decline in N-propyl Acetate prices, primarily attributed to insufficient cost support from the feedstock, Acetic Acid. The market faced additional challenges as ample inventories exerted further pressure, hindering the overall prices of N-propyl Acetate. Additionally, stable natural gas prices contributed to the subdued market conditions. Overseas demand experienced a downturn as major international markets engaged in year-end destocking activities, prompting sellers to offer inventories at discounted rates. Despite these challenges, demand from the downstream fragrance and flavor industry remained consistently firm throughout the timeframe. Furthermore, the PMI value for the US market has remained below 50 as of December, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector.

For the current week, N-propyl Acetate prices have remained stable, influenced by insufficient cost support from the feedstock, Acetic Acid. This stability is further shaped by a high-interest rate, set at 4.5% by the European Central Bank, aiming to constrain the purchasing power of downstream industries and control inflation. Additionally, import prices from the Chinese market have been on the lower side, indicating a normalization of market inventories. The PMI value for the German market was stated at below 50 and remained stable compared to that of the previous month, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector consequently. This creates a pessimistic market view of the N-propyl Acetate market.

According to the Chem Analyst Database, "The prices of N-propyl Acetate in the US and Germany are set to follow a similar pattern as the prices of December, decreasing due to destocking market activity and heavy inventory levels in the market leading to them being offered at discounted rates. Furthermore, regarding the production cost, natural gas prices are expected to be stable, leading to constant production costs further subduing the market growth of N-propyl Acetate. Furthermore, for the German market, the prices of LNG are expected to be stable, leading to constant production costs further subduing market growth of N-propyl Acetate. As of the first half of January, the prices of the US and German markets are set to be both poised with lower market transactions due to the holiday season. However, demand from the N-propyl Acetate downstream industry is bound to increase in both the US and German markets in the second half of January after the end of the holidays. Despite this, the positive reflection in the market is likely to appear in February as the prices of imports from China to the German N-propyl Acetate market are likely to increase, and demand from the N-Propyl Acetate downstream industries is bound to be firm. Additionally, the market is set to be poised with restocking market activity. This will eventually lead to inventory in the market being offered at premium rates."