For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American n-butylene market witnessed a noticeable decrease in prices, with the USA experiencing the steepest declines. This challenging quarter for n-butylene was marked by an oversupply and reduced demand from crucial downstream sectors, such as Butyl Rubber and Fuel Additives, creating an unfavorable supply-demand balance. The high inventory levels and muted sectoral demand were primary contributors to the downward pricing pressure, highlighting the market's struggle to absorb excess supply.
The USA's n-butylene market also echoed a similar negative trend, maintaining bearish sentiments throughout Q3. Seasonal shifts and irregular demand patterns further influenced price volatility, and the anticipated demand uptick failed to materialize, limiting price stabilization. Additionally, plant shutdowns disrupted the supply chain, adding pressure to an already fragile market and reducing chances for price recovery.
Production costs and feedstock price fluctuations closely correlated with the overall market price trajectory, underscoring the role of cost pressures in shaping the quarter's pricing. This combination of supply chain challenges, reduced demand, and production volatility contributed to a sustained decline in n-butylene prices across North America.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the n-butylene market in the APAC region witnessed a decline in prices, with India experiencing the most significant changes. Various factors contributed to the downward trend, including reduced demand from key sectors like Automotive and Fuel Additives. Weak performance in these industries, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions and logistical disruptions from port strikes, led to a surplus of n-butylene inventories, driving prices lower. The market also faced challenges from high supply levels, as production costs decreased due to lower Naphtha prices. Additionally, plant shutdowns further impacted the market dynamics, adding to the negative sentiment. In India specifically, the pricing environment reflected a bearish trend, with a notable -1% decrease from the previous quarter. Seasonal factors and inventory accumulation influenced the market, with a significant -3% price difference between the first and second half of the quarter. The quarter-ending price stood at USD 99500/MT of n-Butylene Ex-Mumbai, highlighting the overall negative pricing trend in the region.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the European n-butylene market witnessed a price decline, with Germany experiencing the most significant downward trend. Several key factors contributed to the market’s reduced prices this quarter. A primary driver was the imbalance between elevated inventory levels and weak demand from downstream sectors, such as Butyl Rubber and Fuel Additives. This disconnect fostered bearish market sentiment, further intensified by supply chain disruptions, including port strikes that led to stockpile increases. Additionally, falling crude oil prices, the main feedstock for n-butylene production, lowered production costs, adding further downward pressure on prices. Germany witnessed the steepest price fluctuations throughout the quarter, with a seasonal slowdown affecting industries like automotive and tire manufacturing, major consumers of n-butylene. The interplay of reduced demand, logistical disruptions, and higher inventory levels resulted in a steady price decrease throughout the quarter. Despite minor declines in the previous quarter, the overall trend remained negative, underscoring a challenging pricing landscape for n-butylene.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American n-butylene market experienced a pronounced upward pricing trend, primarily driven by a surge in demand from key downstream sectors, notably the automotive industry. The automotive sector's increased demand was reflected in the robust sales of new vehicles. This elevated demand put considerable pressure on n-butylene prices, as manufacturers struggled to keep pace with the growing requirements. Compounding this pressure were higher prices for upstream feedstocks like crude oil, which increased production costs and further drove up n-butylene prices. The interplay of these factors created a tightening market scenario, reinforcing the bullish trend in pricing.
Additionally, logistical challenges, including temporary plant shutdowns, exacerbated the supply constraints and contributed to the market's upward price movement. Seasonal factors also played a significant role, increased trading activities leading up to major holidays intensified demand, further pushing prices higher.
The combination of robust demand from the automotive sector, increased production costs due to higher crude oil prices, and seasonal trading surges resulted in a notable price increase for n-butylene compared to the previous year. This upward trend underscored the strengthening demand and the market's overall bullish sentiment during the quarter.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the n-butylene market in the APAC region experienced a mixed trend in prices. During the first half of 2024, the n-butylene market showcased an incline in their trend. This surge in prices was primarily attributed to the limited availability of supplies coupled with sustained demand in the market. Additionally, the rise in feedstock crude oil prices by almost 6% and further upstream Ethylene costs within the producing country contributed to the cost support for the product. These industries, driven by various factors such as infrastructure development and technological advancements, have contributed to the increased demand for N-butylene. The demand for n-butylene experienced a notable surge, driven in part by increased demand from downstream markets. The rise in demand for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) contributed to an increase in N-butylene prices. Additionally, the increase in Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) production can be attributed to the rise in crude oil and gasoline prices, as MTBE is a gasoline additive derived from N-Butylene. This further underscores the interconnectedness of N-butylene with the broader energy and petrochemical markets, highlighting the complex dynamics that influence its supply and demand. However, in the H2 of 2024, the n-butylene market in India experienced a slight decline largely influenced by contrasting performances in its downstream sectors. The Fuel Additive segment demonstrated resilience with robust demand driven by Methyl Tertiary Ether (MTBE), which typically supports n-butylene market strength. However, this positive momentum was counterbalanced by the downturn in the Butyl Rubber segment, predominantly used in automotive applications. The Indian automotive sector encountered significant challenges during the month, including severe heat waves, delayed monsoons, subdued market sentiment, and deferred purchases amid low consumer demand. These factors contributed to fewer customer walk-ins and overall sluggish market activity. Despite the buoyancy in the Fuel Additive sector, the weakened performance of the automotive industry resulted in a marginal decline in the overall n-butylene market trend for the month.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the European n-butylene market experienced significant upward price pressure, driven predominantly by robust demand from downstream sectors, with the automotive industry being a key contributor. The automotive sector's intensified need for n-butylene created a strong bullish trend in the market. This demand surge was further amplified by ongoing disruptions in the global supply chain, notably the Red Sea Crisis. The geopolitical tensions and logistical hurdles caused by this crisis led to increased import costs and substantial delays, severely impacting the n-butylene supply across Europe. These disruptions forced market participants to contend with higher costs and supply constraints, which in turn drove up prices. Compounding the situation were local disruptions within Europe, including protests that led to transportation blockages and adverse weather conditions that interrupted regional supply chains. These factors, coupled with seasonal elements such as holidays and festivals in major exporting regions, exacerbated the supply challenges. The increased import activities required to address the rising demand were hindered by these logistical and supply chain issues, leading to further volatility in prices. Overall, the European n-butylene market saw a pronounced upward trend in prices throughout the quarter, reflecting the complex interplay of heightened demand, supply disruptions, and increased production costs.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
During Q1 2024, the n-Butylene market in North America experienced volatility in the pricing dynamics shaped by a variety of influential factors. While the overall pricing trend in the region exhibited a slight increase, it is crucial to highlight the situation in the USA, where the market encountered the most pronounced price fluctuations. The market in the USA displayed a bullish sentiment throughout the quarter, primarily driven by strong demand coupled with a constrained domestic supply.
This supply limitation was largely due to low production rates among n-Butylene producers. A significant increase in demand was noted particularly from the construction sector, which is undergoing an expansion phase. This growth in the construction sector has boosted demand for N-Butylene derivatives, especially in applications such as tire manufacturing, where there is a growing emphasis on lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles. The heightened demand from both the construction and automotive sectors significantly impacted the prices of key b-Butylene derivatives like Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) and butyl rubber. These derivatives saw substantial price increases due to their critical roles in these expanding industries.
Additionally, challenges related to the limited availability of feedstock and logistical issues exacerbated the upward pressure on prices. These factors collectively contributed to the tightening of the market, further fuelling the price increases observed during the quarter. Overall, the n-Butylene market in North America, particularly in the USA, navigated through a complex array of factors that not only drove up demand but also led to a tightening of supply, resulting in upward pricing trends.
APAC
In Q1 2024, the n-Butylene market in the APAC region experienced a bullish of factors that collectively influenced market prices, primarily driving an upward trend. The primary drivers of this trend were high demand paired with low supply dynamics throughout the region. One notable factor affecting the market was the low availability of supplies, which contributed to a tight supply situation and subsequently impacted prices. The limited stock levels were a significant constraint, pushing prices upward as demand outpaced available supplies. Despite a general slowdown in the expansion of manufacturing sector activities, market sentiments showed signs of improvement towards the end of the quarter. Specifically, demand from butyl rubber producers saw a notable increase, driven by robust demand from the automotive sector. This surge in demand helped stabilize and support prices, offsetting some of the downward pressures from other sectors. In terms of specific price movements, there was a slight overall increase in n-Butylene prices compared to the previous quarter. In India, a key market within the APAC region, prices exhibited some volatility: there was an initial increase of 2.2% at the start of the quarter, followed by a decrease of 1.4% towards the end. Despite these fluctuations, the market sentiment in India remained largely bullish throughout the quarter.
Europe
In Q1 2024, the n-Butylene market in Europe experienced a bullish pattern as the feedstock Ethylene prices skyrocketed. Market sentiment throughout the quarter remained robust, reflecting a generally positive outlook for n-Butylene demand across the region. This optimism, however, faced challenges from the supply side, where the market grappled with low inventory levels and diminished production capacity. Such constraints were exacerbated by strategic bulk purchasing decisions made by buyers aiming to secure necessary supplies amidst tightening market conditions. This intensified the existing supply-demand imbalances, contributing significantly to the upward trend in pricing. Additionally, feedstock shortages emerged as a key factor exerting further upward pressure on prices. These shortages led to an overall market imbalance, straining the ability of suppliers to meet the robust demand efficiently. The influence of seasonality was also apparent, with an anticipated increase in demand from key sectors such as automotive and construction, which typically see growth as temperatures improve. This comprehensive analysis of the n-Butylene market in Europe for Q1 2024 highlights the nuanced interplay of factors influencing pricing dynamics.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
The n-butylene price trend witnessed a bearish movement in North America during the fourth quarter of 2023 amid depressed demand and procurement activities from end-user industries. Initially, the demand remained low from the domestic downstream industries as the operating rates were moderate in Butyl Rubber industries amid declined orders from the Automotive sector amid the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.
However, during the mid-quarter, dry weather conditions because of the El Nina effect decreased the Panama Canal water levels and resulted in a decline in Cargo rates. At the same time, the decline in the USA's manufacturing sector's Purchasing Manager's Index indicated a contraction in manufacturing sector activities, leading to low demand from the Butyl Rubber and Polyisobutylene industries.
Furthermore, the feedstock Ethylene availability improved amid a reduction in the upstream Naphtha and Crude Oil prices after the resumed refinery operations and increased refining capacity in the region, which negatively impacted the production costs of n-butylene. Towards the end of the quarter, supply rates improved as heavy rainfall in the region increased the water levels of the Panama Canal and shipping activities. At that time, the orders were sluggish from the Polyisobutylene producers throughout the month due to depressed demand and reduced trading activities in the country, and producers decreased the n-Butylene prices.
Asia
In the fourth quarter of 2023, n-butylene prices witnessed consistent reductions in the APAC region due to underwhelming sentiments from the buyers as the demand for n-butylene remained low throughout the quarter due to depressed consumption rates from end-user industries, particularly in the automotive sector. In China, the production rates were moderate, while the demand remained low from the domestic downstream industries as the operating rates declined in the Butyl Rubber and Polyisobutylene industries amid declined orders after the Golden Week holidays. Meanwhile, the cost support for n-Butylene from the feedstock Ethylene declined during the mid-quarter. This was due to reduced offtakes from Glycol industries, which improved the availability of Ethylene and lowered production costs. Additionally, the reduction in upstream Naphtha and Crude Oil prices further contributed to the decrease in production costs. At that time, orders remained low from the Polyisobutylene manufacturers amid reduced buying and procurement activities amid weak demand from Polymer industries. Towards the end, the inventory levels product availability was moderate amid an improvement in demand from Butyl Rubber industries due to increased consumption in the Automotive sector.
Europe
Like the North American region, the n-butylene prices in the European region witnessed bearish movement. At the beginning of the quarter, consumption rates were low from Butyl Rubber industries amid declined orders from the Automotive sector. Similarly, inquiries were low from Polyisobutylene producers as well amid excess availability of supplies. It resulted in increased inventory levels of n-butylene. During the mid-quarter, orders remained low from the Polyisobutylene manufacturers amid reduced buying and procurement activities amid weak demand from Polymer industries. Simultaneously, the decrease in feedstock Ethylene offtakes from downstream Glycol industries led to a reduction in the cost support from Ethylene and negatively impacted the production costs of n-butylene. Towards the end of the quarter, the market did not showcase any significant improvement in inquiries amid the ongoing economic slowdown in the region. At the same time, the feedstock Ethylene prices decreased during the month because of increased inventories amid sluggish offtakes from downstream industries and reduced production costs of n-Butylene.
