According to monitoring data from Business Society, as of February 2, 2023, the reference price of n-butanol in Shandong Province, China was 8850 yuan/ton. Compared with January 28 (reference price of n-butanol was 8700 yuan/ton), the price increased by 150 yuan/ton, an increase of 1.72%.

From the monitoring chart of Business Society data, it can be seen that this week (1.29-2.2), the overall market for n-butanol in Shandong, China, showed a steady upward trend. During the week, downstream users of n-butanol were generally in a stocking cycle, with good shipments in the n-butanol market and active buying atmosphere on the market. The boost from the demand side supported the stable and strong operation of the n-butanol market, and the overall transaction price of n-butanol was approaching a high level. As of February 2nd, the domestic market price of n-butanol in Shandong region is around 8800-8900 yuan/ton, with a weekly price increase of 100-200 yuan/ton.

Future analysis

At present, the trading atmosphere in the n-butanol market is mild, and downstream demand is stocking up. The utilization rate of n-butanol production capacity has slightly increased during the week, and the overall supply and demand transmission in the market is good. The n-butanol data analyst from Business Society believes that in the short term, the domestic n-butanol market will mostly operate steadily with a strong bias, and specific trends still need to pay more attention to changes in supply and demand news.

The price of plasticizer DOP fluctuated and fell in January

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Shengyishe, as of January 31st, the price of DOP was 11770 yuan/ton, a fluctuating decrease of 2.66% compared to the price of 12091.67 yuan/ton on January 1st. The price of raw material isooctanol was discounted for sales, and the cost of plasticizer DOP decreased. In January, DOP prices fluctuated and fell.

The price of isooctanol fluctuated and fell in January

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Shengyishe, as of January 31st, the quotation for isooctanol was 12350 yuan/ton, a fluctuating decrease of 4.63% compared to the quotation for isooctanol on January 1st, which was 12950 yuan/ton. In December, Qilu Petrochemical’s isooctanol equipment was shut down due to an accident, and the price of isooctanol skyrocketed. At the beginning of the month, the price of isooctanol remained high, and the supply of isooctanol exceeded the demand. Isooctanol manufacturers offered discounts to sell, causing the price of isooctanol to fluctuate and fall; As the Spring Festival approaches, plasticizer manufacturers are stocking up, the price of isooctanol has stopped falling, raw material support has weakened, and DOP prices have fallen. With isooctanol stopping its decline, DOP has some upward support.

Future expectations

Business Society plasticizer product data analysts believe that in January, the raw material isooctanol fluctuated and fell, and the cost support for plasticizer DOP was insufficient, increasing the downward pressure on DOP. In the future, as the Spring Festival approaches and inventory increases, coupled with the rebound in raw material prices, it is expected that DOP prices will slightly increase in the future.

Recently (1.26-1.31), the market for trichloromethane has risen. According to data from Business Society, as of January 31st, the price of trichloromethane bulk water in Shandong Province was 2300 yuan/ton, an increase of 0.73% from 2283 yuan/ton on January 26th. The price of raw material methanol has fluctuated lower, the price range of liquid chlorine has been consolidated, and the cost support for dichloromethane is weak; The downstream refrigerant market is for winter storage and stocking, and phased replenishment provides certain support for trichloromethane. In addition, the overall low inventory of manufacturers has led to a slight increase in the price of trichloromethane. As of January 31, the mainstream factory price of trichloromethane in Shandong region is around 2250-2350 yuan/ton. But as the Spring Festival approaches and winter storage and stocking gradually end, the demand for trichloromethane is gradually weakening.

Recently (1.25-1.31), the domestic supply of methane chlorides has slightly increased.

Recently (1.26-1.31), the price of raw material methanol has slightly decreased, and the price of liquid chlorine has stabilized at a low level. The cost support for trichloromethane is weak. According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Shengyishe, as of January 31st, the spot price of methanol was 2580 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1.34% from 2615 yuan/ton on the 25th. As of January 31st, the acceptance price of liquid chlorine tank trucks in Shandong region is around 250 yuan/ton, which is lower than the previous price.

During the mid to low season, the winter storage of terminal refrigerants has been partially stocked, which has strengthened the demand for trichloromethane. At the end of the month, the phased stocking ended, and the demand support for trichloromethane was weak.

Analysts from Business Society’s methane chloride data believe that cost and demand support is weak, but there is not much pressure on corporate inventory. It is expected that the trichloromethane market will narrow before the holiday.