ICIS publishes Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) reports weekly in Asia, Europe and the US. News and analysis puts the market in focus and keeps you up-to-date in order to make vital commercial decisions.
The price assessments cover spot in all regions, with contract prices in the US only. Our detailed commentary gives you an unbiased overview of market movements, including regional news, import/export information, upstream/downstream news, graphs and economic impacts.
Updated to Q4 2020
Asia
Supply in Q4 was reduced due to plant turnarounds, with Japan’s Mitsui Chemicals and South Korea’s Kumho P&B shut in October. Chinese production remained curbed, due to the high cost of feedstock acetone hampering margins. Shandong Yimeide stayed shut, alongside operationally ready lines such as Zhuhai Long Success.
Demand in Q4 was largely strong, mirroring the recovery in China’s automobile industry, where MIBK is used in tyres. Prices were further bolstered by the uptrend in feedstock acetone prices, particularly in November. Domestic prices in east China hit an historical high in H2 December, since the quote was first introduced in February 2019.
Europe
Supply was short on a lack of feedstock acetone. Supplies to Europe from North and South America tightened after the Asian markets saw their production hampered by extremely expensive feedstock prices. European MIBK supply chains were curtailed by a global rerouting of volumes into the more attractively priced regions. Several upstream production hiccups at the end of Q4 contributed to the tightness.
Demand continued its upward trajectory and picked up pace in Q4 on a recovery in the automotive sector. Paints and coatings enjoyed a prolonged season too, likely due to government infrastructure stimulus measures. Strong mining activity is thought to have favoured the use of MIBK in specialised metallurgical extraction.
We offer the following regional Methyl isobutyl ketone analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Methyl isobutyl ketone marketplace.
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Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is a stable colourless liquid with a pleasant mild odour. It is both a medium boiling and medium evaporating solvent.
Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is an excellent solvent for resins used in the production of surface coatings. The main solvent applications are in transportation, refurnishing and marine coatings, construction coatings, wood coatings and metal coatings.
MIBK is also used in rubber chemicals for the production of tyres, as a solvent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and adhesives, and for specialised metallurgical extraction.
The two main processes for making MIBK are from acetone condensation and isopropanol (IPA).
MIBK is a colourless liquid with a characteristic ketone odour. It is highly flammable and vapours may travel to the source of ignition and flashback.