According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Business Society, the price of isooctanol rose sharply in January. As of January 31, the quoted price of isooctanol was 7,880 yuan/ton, a significant increase of 13.93% compared to the price of 6,916.67 yuan/ton on January 1. On February 4, the price of isooctanol was 7,716.67 yuan/ton, a decrease of 2.07% compared to the price of 7,880 yuan/ton on January 31. In January, the operating load of isooctanol production facilities increased to 95%, resulting in sufficient supply. However, by late January, some isooctanol plants underwent maintenance, causing the operating rate to drop to 90%. Meanwhile, the price of propylene rose sharply, increasing cost support for isooctanol. Consequently, the price of isooctanol surged significantly in January. In February, plasticizer prices retreated from high levels, and propylene prices declined, leading to reduced costs and demand. As a result, the price of isooctanol fluctuated and fell in February.

The operating rate of isooctanol plants rose in January, with domestic isooctanol producers operating at around 95%, leading to increased production. However, by late January, maintenance at some isooctanol plants reduced the operating rate to 90%, decreasing supply. Despite this, support for isooctanol price increases remained.

The cost of raw material propylene rose sharply. As of January 31, the price of propylene was 6,404.33 yuan/ton, a significant increase of 12.01% compared to the price of 5,717.67 yuan/ton on January 1. On February 2, the price of propylene was 6,391 yuan/ton, a slight decrease of 0.47% compared to the price of 6,421 yuan/ton on January 27. The sharp rise in propylene prices in January strengthened cost support for isooctanol, contributing to its price increase. However, by late January, propylene prices retreated, weakening cost support for isooctanol.

The price of downstream plasticizer DOP fluctuated and rose. As of January 31, the price of DOP was 8,017.50 yuan/ton, a significant increase of 9.44% compared to the price of 7,325.84 yuan/ton on January 1. On February 4, the price of DOP was 7,950.84 yuan/ton, a slight decrease of 0.83% compared to the price of 8,017.50 yuan/ton on January 31. In January, the operating load of DOP plants decreased slightly, with an operating rate of around 63%, leading to a decline in DOP production compared to the previous month. Rising costs and reduced supply drove a significant increase in DOP prices, which in turn strengthened demand support for isooctanol. In February, DOP plant operations improved slightly, increasing plasticizer supply. Additionally, as pre-holiday stockpiling neared completion, demand declined, causing plasticizer prices to fall and weakening demand support for isooctanol.

Market Outlook: Business Society's octanol product data analyst believes that in terms of costs, the sharp rise in propylene prices has increased the upward momentum for isooctanol. In terms of supply, the operating rate of isooctanol plants has increased, boosting supply. In terms of demand, the operating rate of DOP plants has improved, increasing DOP production and strengthening demand support for isooctanol. Looking ahead, propylene prices retreated in February, weakening cost support for isooctanol. As pre-holiday stockpiling neared completion, the operating rate of plasticizer plants improved slightly, maintaining some demand support for isooctanol. With cost support weakening but demand support still present, downward pressure on isooctanol has increased, though upward support remains. It is expected that isooctanol prices will stabilize weakly in the near future.