What is Butanol and Octanol Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Plasticiser Demand
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
Neutral
Bearish
What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published month (2026-07) — Sentiment: Bullish
The most recent published customs observation for HS 290513,290514,290516 is 2026-07 at USD 1,552.52/ton, +1.6% against the previous month and +42.3% against 2025-08.
Reported volume across the fixed 12-economy panel was 716,055 tonnes over the window, 59,671 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +18.9%.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 290513,290514,290516. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
Key Market Impact
Customs unit values for this heading are the single most checkable price signal available without a subscription: they combine the product mix actually crossing borders, the average contract level behind those shipments and freight-relevant volume. Treat them as the trade-weighted baseline for the heading, and read the coverage note above before applying them to a single grade.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade public trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-11-06
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-08 to 2026-07)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 290513,290514,290516 moved from USD 1,090.95/ton in 2025-08 to USD 1,552.52/ton in 2026-07 (+42.3% across the window). The window high was USD 1,660.32/ton in 2026-05 and the low USD 1,027.91/ton in 2025-10. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +18.9% against the previous one, which is classified here as bullish.
The same panel reported USD 899.0 million of export value on 716,055 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 59,671 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
The EU side of the same heading is one month fresher than the panel above: Eurostat Comext records EU27 imports of HS 290513,290514,290516 from outside the EU at USD 2,031.44/ton in 2026-08 (EUR 1,752.28/ton at the ECB monthly reference rate), +37.7% against 2026-07, on 3,190 tonnes; the twelve months to 2026-08 totalled 108,174 tonnes. On the 12 months the two datasets share (2025-08 to 2026-07), three-month blocks that far apart moved +43.2% on the export panel and +18.8% on the EU import side, so the two agree on direction. At this volume the monthly unit value still moves with the mix of consignments, so read it as a cross-check rather than as a second price series. Import values are recorded on a CIF-type basis by a single bloc, so the level is not comparable with the export panel — the comparison above is directional.
2026-08 is deliberately not in the series: of the 12 economies that make up this page's fixed panel, 9 had filed both value and net weight for this heading when the page was rebuilt on 2026-11-06 (the heading drew 16 filers in total that month); neither 2026-09 nor 2026-10 drew a single filing for this heading. Splicing a partly-filed month onto a fixed panel would move the unit value through composition alone, so the window stays at 2026-07 until the whole panel for 2026-08 has reported.
This basket combines butan-1-ol (290513), other butanols (290514) and octanol with its isomers (290516), so the unit value is a mixed figure across four- and eight-carbon alcohols rather than a single product quote; 2-ethylhexanol, the main plasticiser alcohol, is an isomer inside 290516, and other saturated monohydric alcohols (290519) are outside the basket.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 12 economies: BRA (76), CZE (203), DNK (208), DEU (276), IDN (360), MYS (458), NLD (528), PRT (620), IND (699), SWE (752), GBR (826), USA (842). The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,027.91 to USD 1,660.32/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-07: USD 1,552.52/ton, +1.6% against the previous month, on 56,788 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- Butanol and octanol demand is led by plasticiser esters, above all dioctyl phthalate and the terephthalate and trimellitate alternatives, then by acrylate esters, glycol ethers and direct solvent use, so the basket tracks plasticiser and coatings production more than it tracks fuel or construction volumes on its own.
- Related market pages on this site: n-Butanol (the single-product page for 290513), Octanol (the single-product page for 290516), Dioctyl Phthalate (the plasticiser outlet for octanol), Dioctyl Terephthalate (the terephthalate plasticiser that takes the same octanol).
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page.
Need the supplier landscape, contract structure or a delivered-cost build-up behind this heading? Request a sample report or a custom cut.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Isobutanol (2-methyl-1-propanol) | Can replace n-butanol as a solvent in coatings, paints, and resins where the slightly different evaporation rate and polarity are acceptable. Used as a drop-in or partial substitute in butyl acetate synthesis and as a fuel blending component. Produced as a co-product in the same oxo-alcohol plants, so it is often available at lower cost. |
| 2-Ethylhexanol (as substitute for n-butanol in plasticizer esters) | In plasticizer manufacturing, 2-EH is the preferred alcohol for phthalate and adipate esters (e.g., DEHP, DEHA) due to its C8 chain giving better low-temperature flexibility. It substitutes n-butanol-based plasticizers (DBP) when higher performance or regulatory compliance (lower volatility) is required. |
| Isononanol (INA) / Isodecanol (IDA) | C9–C10 oxo-alcohols that substitute 2-ethylhexanol in plasticizer applications (DINP, DIDP) when lower volatility, better heat stability, or regulatory compliance (e.g., REACH restrictions on DEHP) is needed. Requires reformulation of the plasticizer ester but is otherwise a functional drop-in for PVC compounding. |
| Propanol (n-propanol / isopropanol) | Substitutes n-butanol as a solvent in coatings, cleaning agents, and pharmaceutical formulations where a lower-boiling, faster-evaporating alcohol is acceptable or preferred. Isopropanol is widely available and cost-competitive; the substitution is straightforward in many solvent blends but may require reformulation to match film-formation or viscosity targets. |
| Ethanol | Replaces n-butanol as a solvent in surface coatings, inks, and personal care products where regulatory, toxicological, or bio-based preferences favor ethanol. Partial substitution is common in waterborne coating systems. Ethanol has a much lower boiling point (78 °C vs. 118 °C), so formulation adjustments are required to compensate for faster evaporation. |
| Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) / DOTP (dioctyl terephthalate) | These plasticizers substitute DEHP (made from 2-ethylhexanol) in PVC applications driven by regulatory restrictions on phthalates in toys, medical devices, and food-contact materials. DOTP is a non-phthalate alternative requiring no change in processing equipment but may need minor formulation adjustment for equivalent softness and migration resistance. |
| Bio-based n-butanol (ABE fermentation) | Produced via acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation of sugars or lignocellulosic biomass using Clostridium species. Chemically identical to petrochemical n-butanol, so it is a true drop-in substitute in all applications. Currently higher cost than oxo-route butanol but used where bio-based certification or sustainability credentials are required by customers. |
| Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) / Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) | Substitute n-butanol as industrial solvents in coatings, adhesives, and extraction processes where ketone solvents provide better solvency for specific resins (e.g., nitrocellulose, vinyl resins). The substitution requires reformulation since ketones have different hydrogen-bonding characteristics and evaporation profiles compared to butanol. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
- Propylene
- n-Butanol
- Octanol
- Isobutanol
- Dioctyl Terephthalate — the terephthalate plasticiser that takes the same octanol.
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 - Annex XVII Entry 51 (phthalates restriction) | ECHA | 2019 (amended 2023) | DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP not to be used in plasticised material in toys and childcare articles (concentration limit: 0.1% by weight) | ECHA |
| European Union | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 - Annex XIV authorisation | ECHA | 2023 (applications due 2023) | Authorisation required for DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP (and related phthalates) in restricted uses; sunset dates apply | ECHA |
| European Union | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707 amending CLP Regulation | European Commission | 2023 | Introduced endocrine disruptor categories for DEHP, DBP, BBP and related phthalates (Category 1 and 2 for human health and environment) | ECHA/SCHEER |
| United States | National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings (40 CFR Part 59 Subpart E) | EPA | 2025 | Reactivity factor for n-Butyl Alcohol (Butanol): 2.88; limits apply to VOC content in aerosol products (relative reactivity-based) | EPA Federal Register |
| China | Anti-Dumping Duties on n-Butanol (Normal Butanol) imports | Ministry of Commerce | 2024 (extension) | Anti-dumping duties retained for five years from 29 December 2024 on imports from Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States | Ministry of Commerce |
| China | Anti-Dumping Duties on n-Butanol (Normal Butanol) imports | Directorate General of Trade Remedies (India) | 2025 (expiry review and extension) | Anti-dumping duty extended until 12 July 2026 on imports from EU, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and United States | India DGTR / Customs Notification |
| Global (transport) | ADR / IMDG Code transport classification | UNECE / IMO | Current (standard) | Butanols: UN 1120, Class 3, Packing group III (hazard label: flammable liquid) | UN ECE / IMDG Code |
Key Influence Events
Butanol (n-butanol, 1-butanol) and 2-ethylhexanol (commonly called octanol in the industrial context of the oxo-alcohol family) are C4 and C8 primary aliphatic alcohols produced predominantly via the oxo process (hydroformylation) using propylene as the key feedstock. n-Butanol (CAS 71-36-3, MW 74.12 g/mol) is a colorless, moderately viscous liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor, widely used as a solvent, chemical intermediate, and plasticizer precursor. 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH, CAS 104-76-7, MW 130.23 g/mol) is the C8 branched primary alcohol obtained by aldol condensation and hydrogenation of the n-butyraldehyde intermediate; it is the dominant feedstock for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and other plasticizers. Both alcohols are co-produced in the same oxo-alcohol plant train from propylene and synthesis gas (CO + H2), making their economics tightly linked. They are key industrial commodities traded globally in bulk liquid form.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Butanol and Octanol Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Plasticiser Demand
Butanol (n-butanol, 1-butanol) and 2-ethylhexanol (commonly called octanol in the industrial context of the oxo-alcohol family) are C4 and C8 primary aliphatic alcohols produced predominantly via the oxo process (hydroformylation) using propylene as the key feedstock. n-Butanol (CAS 71-36-3, MW 74.12 g/mol) is a colorless, moderately viscous liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor, widely used as a solvent, chemical intermediate, and plasticizer precursor. 2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH, CAS 104-76-7, MW 130.23 g/mol) is the C8 branched primary alcohol obtained by aldol condensation and hydrogenation of the n-butyraldehyde intermediate; it is the dominant feedstock for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and other plasticizers. Both alcohols are co-produced in the same oxo-alcohol plant train from propylene and synthesis gas (CO + H2), making their economics tightly linked. They are key industrial commodities traded globally in bulk liquid form.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Product |
|---|
Data Sources
Price and volume figures are derived from the directly verified public sources below. The customs unit values are USD/ton and are not subscription price assessments. Grade-level specifications are not restated here: confirm them with the supplier. Every monthly endpoint used for the series on this page is listed below, together with the EU cross-check, the exchange rate used to express it in dollars and the HS classification reference.
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202508&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202509&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202510&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202511&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202512&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202601&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202602&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202603&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202604&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202605&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202606&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=290513,290514,290516&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/comext/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/DS-045409?format=JSON&freq=M&reporter=EU27_2020&partner=EXT_EU27_2020&flow=1&indicators=VALUE_IN_EUROS&indicators=QUANTITY_IN_100KG&product=290513&sinceTimePeriod=2025-08
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/comext/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/DS-045409?format=JSON&freq=M&reporter=EU27_2020&partner=EXT_EU27_2020&flow=1&indicators=VALUE_IN_EUROS&indicators=QUANTITY_IN_100KG&product=290514&sinceTimePeriod=2025-08
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/comext/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/DS-045409?format=JSON&freq=M&reporter=EU27_2020&partner=EXT_EU27_2020&flow=1&indicators=VALUE_IN_EUROS&indicators=QUANTITY_IN_100KG&product=290516&sinceTimePeriod=2025-08
- https://data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/data/EXR/M.USD.EUR.SP00.A?format=csvdata&startPeriod=2025-08&endPeriod=2026-10
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/files/v1/app/reference/HS.json
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