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Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
Germany
Netherlands
Thailand
KoreaIsobutanol export prices saw varied trends across the four countries in Q1 2025. Malaysia experienced a 5.14% decline, with prices at USD 837/MT, primarily driven by reduced demand in Asia. In contrast, Saudi Arabia posted a 5.24% increase, reaching USD 933/MT, supported by strengthened demand from the Middle East and higher regional consumption. Germany recorded a 6.71% rise, reaching USD 1059/MT, buoyed by steady demand from the European automotive and chemical sectors. Similarly, Netherlands saw a 7.53% increase, with prices at USD 1030/MT, benefiting from robust European demand. Despite varied trends, Europe showed resilience, whereas Malaysia faced downward pressure.
The global Isobutanol market showed contrasting performance in Q4 2024. Malaysia saw a 3.59% increase, with prices rising to USD 882/MT, reflecting improved demand from Southeast Asia and supply chain stabilizations. However, Saudi Arabia suffered a 13.96% drop, falling to USD 887/MT, largely due to a reduction in downstream consumption and high inventory levels. Germany experienced a 2.41% decline, with prices at USD 992/MT, as European demand cooled slightly following peak production periods. Netherlands saw a 6.60% decrease, with prices at USD 958/MT, impacted by seasonal slowdowns and fewer export orders during the holiday period.
Q3 2024 saw a mix of pricing adjustments across the four nations. Malaysia registered a 3.32% decline, bringing the price down to USD 852/MT, as regional demand softened and competition from other Southeast Asian suppliers intensified. Saudi Arabia continued its downward trajectory, with a 4.25% decrease, reaching USD 1030/MT, influenced by sluggish demand from global markets. Germany experienced a 1.22% decrease, with prices at USD 1017/MT, as industrial buyers shifted to alternative sources amid higher transportation costs. Netherlands saw a 2.91% decrease, with prices settling at USD 1025/MT, amid tempered demand from key European customers during the summer months.
In Q2 2024, Saudi Arabia outperformed other exporters with a remarkable 26.13% increase, reaching USD 1076/MT. This surge was driven by heightened demand within the petrochemical sector and strong domestic consumption. Conversely, Malaysia experienced a 4.48% drop, with prices falling to USD 881/MT, reflecting weaker regional demand from Southeast Asia and deferred procurement decisions. Germany saw a 4.86% rise, reaching USD 1029/MT, thanks to solid demand from the European chemical and automotive industries. Likewise, Netherlands witnessed a 4.64% increase, with prices at USD 1056/MT, buoyed by steady industrial demand, though concerns over market volatility persisted.
Q1 2024 displayed a mix of price movements across the exporting countries. Malaysia recorded a modest 0.60% increase, with prices rising to USD 922/MT, reflecting some regional recovery despite global market softness. Saudi Arabia saw a 17.74% jump, reaching USD 853/MT, driven by improving market conditions and stronger regional demand. Germany, however, faced a 4.03% decline, with prices dropping to USD 981/MT, impacted by softening export markets and a high base effect from Q4 2023. Similarly, Netherlands experienced a 3.83% drop, with prices falling to USD 1009/MT, as the market demand flattened after robust late-2023 purchases.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global isobutanol price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the isobutanol market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence isobutanol prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely isobutanol market data.
Track PriceWatch's isobutanol price assessment on a weekly basis since 2015 onwards, along with short-term forecasts, and get access to the detailed report in a downloadable format.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict (2022-Present):
Energy Supply Disruptions: The conflict has severely impacted natural gas and crude oil supplies from the region, which are critical to the production of isobutanol. Rising energy costs have driven up production expenses, causing price increases.
Raw Material Shortages: Sanctions on Russia and disrupted trade routes have led to shortages of key raw materials, such as propylene, essential for producing isobutanol. This supply strain has further pushed prices higher in various markets.
Logistical Challenges: The conflict has disrupted global logistics, increased transportation costs and creating delays in shipments, especially in Europe. This has affected the availability of isobutanol and contributed to price volatility.
Market Uncertainty: Geopolitical instability has created uncertainty in the global chemical markets, prompting stockpiling and increased demand from buyers concerned about supply disruptions, further driving price fluctuations.
COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):
Supply Chain Disruptions: Lockdowns and restrictions led to production halts, factory closures, and transportation delays, disrupting the supply of isobutanol. This caused supply shortages, which pushed prices higher in many regions.
Decreased Demand in Key Industries: Industries that use isobutanol, such as coatings, chemicals, and solvents, saw reduced demand during the early months of the pandemic. This led to a temporary drop in prices as industrial activity slowed.
Post-Lockdown Recovery: As economies began to reopen, demand for isobutanol surged, especially in sectors like construction and manufacturing. This increase in demand, coupled with limited supply, caused a sharp rise in prices.
Rising Production Costs: Increased operational costs due to safety measures, raw material shortages, and higher transportation expenses further contributed to price fluctuations.
Geopolitical Tensions (2018-2019):
U.S.-China Trade War: The trade war resulted in tariffs on chemicals, including raw materials like propylene, which are crucial for isobutanol production. These tariffs increased production costs and disrupted supply chains, causing price volatility in the global market.
Sanctions and Political Instability: Sanctions imposed on key regions like Iran and Russia, major players in the energy and petrochemical industries, affected the availability of feedstocks required for isobutanol production. This led to supply shortages and price hikes.
Energy Price Volatility: Geopolitical tensions in oil-producing regions caused fluctuations in global energy prices, which directly impacted the cost of isobutanol production. As crude oil and natural gas prices rose, the costs of producing and transporting isobutanol also increased, leading to pricing instability.
These events underscore the isobutanol market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable isobutanol pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
C4H10O
Isobutanol is a colourless, flammable alcohol produced via the oxo process, utilizing propylene and syngas as feedstocks. Known for its moderate volatility and low solubility, it serves as a solvent in paints, coatings, and adhesives. Additionally, isobutanol is a vital intermediate in the production of esters, fuel additives, and plasticizers, ensuring efficiency in diverse industrial applications.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification |
| Appearance | Colourless liquid |
| Purity | 99.5% |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.801-0.803 g/cm3 |
| Boiling Range | 106 –108 °C |
| Surface tension (20 °C) | 23.0 mN/m |
| Solidification point at 1013 mbar | –108 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.395 –1.396 |
| Dielectric constant (0 °C) | 21.1 |
Applications
Isobutanol is used mainly as a feedstock/intermediate to make other chemicals including:
Isobutene: Isobutene is a key derivative of isobutanol and is widely used in the production of various petrochemicals.
Isobutyl Acetate: This ester, derived from isobutanol, is commonly used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and adhesives due to its favorable evaporation rate and low toxicity.
Plasticizers: Isobutanol is utilized in the production of various plasticizers, which enhance the flexibility and durability of plastics.
Lubricant Additives: It acts as an intermediate in producing lubricant additives, contributing to the performance and stability of lubricants.
Other Chemicals: Isobutanol can also be converted into other valuable chemicals through various chemical processes, including:
Di isobutyl Phthalate: Used as a plasticizer.
Acrylate and Methacrylate Esters: Important in the production of paints, coatings, and adhesives.
The pricing of isobutanol is influenced by several factors, including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials like propylene, energy prices, and overall market demand. Supply chain disruptions, transportation costs, and geopolitical factors, such as trade tariffs and sanctions, also play a role in determining prices. Additionally, seasonal demand from key industries like coatings, chemicals, and solvents can impact price trends.
Regional availability significantly influences isobutanol pricing. In regions with abundant production capacities, such as Asia-Pacific, prices may be more competitive due to local supply. On the other hand, regions that rely on imports, like Europe or North America, may face higher prices due to transportation costs, import tariffs, and potential supply shortages. The balance between regional supply and industrial demand creates pricing variability across markets.
Isobutanol pricing trends can be affected by factors such as feedstock prices, global demand, and supply chain disruptions. Procurement teams can secure better rates by monitoring market trends, negotiating long-term contracts with reliable suppliers, and leveraging bulk purchasing to gain volume discounts. Staying updated with industry reports and price indices will help in making informed purchasing decisions.
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