Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Methodology

Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is a stable colourless liquid with a pleasant mild odour. It is both a medium boiling and medium evaporating solvent.

It is an active solvent for many synthetic resins including cellulosics, vinyl copolymers, acrylics, alkyds, polyesters, and epoxies. It is used for developing high-solids coatings because of its combination of high solvent activity and low density, and also as an intermediate in the production of synthetic rubber chemicals.

In addition to its use as a solvent for inks, coatings, and adhesives, MIBK is used as an extraction agent in the dewaxing/deoiling of petroleum products and in pharmaceuticals.

MIBK is a flammable liquid and vapour. Vapour concentrations may cause drowsiness and irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract.

ICIS pricing quotes MIBK in Europe, Asia and the USA. 

Frequency:

Published weekly on Fridays in Europe and USA, and on Tuesdays in Asia.

MIBK (Europe)

Weekly Price Assessment:

MIBK Spot Prices

• FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

MIBK Feedstock Prices

• Propylene FD NWE quarterly contract (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Acetone FD NWE (MMA) monthly contract (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

MIBK (Asia)

MIBK Spot Prices

• CFR S.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR CHINA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

MIBK (USA)

MIBK Monthly Contract Prices

• Del E Rockies (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

MIBK Spot Prices

• Ex-tank (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

MIBK Feedstock Prices:

• Propylene C Grade monthly contract (US CTS/LB)
• ACETONE TRUCKS quarterly contract  (US CTS/LB)

General Information:

Assessment window:

Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Fridays at 1800 hours in London and Houston, and on Tuesdays at 1800 hours in Singapore.

Specification:

ICIS pricing quotes material that has a minimum purity of 99.5%.

Timing:

Cargoes loading or delivered four-six weeks forward from the date of publication.

Terms:

30-60 days after bill of lading date.

Standard cargo size:

In the US, ICIS pricing covers freight delivered by truck and railcar with parcels averaging 46,000 lb and 190,000 lb, respectively. In Europe, ICIS pricing tracks parcels of 500-1,000 tonnes per shipment, and 23 tonnes per truck. In Asia, the report tracks parcels of 200-500 tonnes per shipment.

Assessment Basis:

Spot prices are typically indicative of business confirmed between producers and traders/distributors and all price assessments are based on information gathered throughout the week (Monday to Friday) from market players comprising producers, end-users and traders. The process of evaluation takes into consideration rumoured, reported and confirmed deals; bids and offers; and buying and selling indications. In the absence of trades, the published price range may be adjusted on a notional basis to accurately reflect the levels at which trading activity could take place. Factors such as deep-sea cargo movements; supply/demand balance; plant operating rates; feedstock and derivative markets; and general market sentiment are also taken into account.

Spot trades in the US domestic market are quoted on an ex-tank basis, and are indicative of the prices paid by consumers and distributors for truckload, and sometimes, railcar quantities, of material.

The US contract prices are paid by distributors east of the Rockies, to the US Gulf producers for contract volumes prior to any discounts. In addition, published prices are representative of full truckload and railcar quantities. The contract numbers are usually stable throughout the year, and any price increase is typically announced by the producers on a quarterly basis (or occasionally monthly). More emphasis is placed on price movements that occur toward the latter portion of the week with respect to changes in published numbers.

Both European and US reports offer market commentary that includes details of traced transactions, news on the supply/demand balance, export/import information, contract price negotiations and general sentiment for price direction. Where applicable there is product information, comments on up and downstream market developments and general market intelligence.

In Asia, the report tracks spot busines and includes transactions for regional as well as deep-sea cargoes in Southeast Asia, China and India. Commentary includes prevailing ex-tank prices in Southeast Asia and China which are a key indicator of price movement. The text also covers deals and offers for drummed cargoes in the region, demand supply balance, and market sentiment. The production news covers updates on plant outages, turnarounds and new project announcements. The feedstock price section tracks movements in the acetone market