June 26th, according to news
According to the commodity market analysis system, from June 22 to 26, the price of MTBE fell from 5,427 CNY/ton to 5,037 CNY/ton, a decrease of 7.19% within the period, down 23.09% month-over-month, and down 5.62% year-over-year. The Chinese MTBE market experienced a volatile decline. After the Dragon Boat Festival, demand returned to a mild and stable state. Coupled with the gradual opening of the Strait of Hormuz, international crude oil prices fell, leading to weaker cost and sentiment support. Manufacturers faced pressure in shipping and had to offer more discounts, causing the price of MTBE to fall again.
MTBE China production price average trend chart:
Cost Perspective: On the crude oil front, international oil prices have fallen sharply. The main negative factors include: a significant easing of U.S.-Iran tensions, continued improvement in navigation conditions through the Strait of Hormuz, and plans by oil-producing countries such as Iraq to accelerate production increases—all of which are putting downward pressure on the oil market. As of June 25, the settlement price for the September Brent crude oil futures contract was reported at $75.50 per barrel.
Demand Side: On the downstream side, international oil prices still have room to fall, and retail price caps for refined oil products are expected to drop sharply again in this round. This negative news is weighing on the market. Refineries are mostly focused on selling off their inventories. Meanwhile, with the recent absence of holiday boosts and continued rainfall across many regions, public travel has declined, resulting in generally weak sales performance at retail gas stations. Most gas station operators are maintaining mid-to-low levels of buying and selling activities. As a result, China’s gasoline market is operating on the weaker side. The demand side for MTBE is also being weighed down by negative factors.
Supply side: After the Haierxi facility in Henan ceased operations, it will affect next week's production. There are also plans for Shenghong Petrochemical to halt operations, potentially reducing resource supply. The MTBE supply side is influenced by positive factors.
As of June 26, statistics on MTBE factory prices from selected production enterprises:
| Company | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chengtai Chemical | 200,000 tons/year isomerization unit shut down | 5,050 CNY/ton |
| Shida Shenghua | 200,000 tons/year isomerization unit operating steadily, normal shipments | 5,050 CNY/ton |
| Shenchi Chemical | 400,000 tons/year mixed alkane dehydrogenation plant co-producing 350,000 tons of MTBE | No quote available for now |
| Lihua Yi | Isomerization and isobutane dehydrogenation units operating normally | 5,050 CNY/ton |
| Dongming Petrochemical | 350,000 tons/year mixed alkane dehydrogenation unit operating steadily, producing 1,000 tons per day | 5,000 CNY/ton |
As of the close on June 25, the Asian MTBE market closed at a price that was $8.26 per ton lower than the previous trading day, with FOB Singapore prices ranging from $736.36 to $738.36 per ton. The European MTBE market closed at a price that was $35.75 per ton higher than the previous trading day, with FOB ARA prices ranging from $974.74 to $975.24 per ton. The U.S. MTBE market closed at a price that was $7.61 per ton lower than the previous trading day, with FOB Gulf offshore prices ranging from $1096.03 to $1096.38 per ton (309.47 to 309.57 cents per gallon).
| Region | Country | Closing Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | FOB Singapore | USD 736.36–738.36 per ton | -USD 8.26 per ton |
| Europe | FOB ARA | USD 974.74–975.24 per ton | +USD 35.75 per ton |
| U.S. | FOB Gulf | USD 1096.03–1096.38 per ton | -USD 7.61 per ton |
Market Outlook: Raw material prices have slightly declined, but the downward trend is slower than that of MTBE. Cost pressures remain significant. While there are no major fluctuations in resource supply, cautious sentiment persists among market participants due to weak terminal demand. Coupled with the possibility of a weaker international crude oil trend, MTBE analysts believe that the MTBE market will likely remain in a consolidation phase.
