Spot market negotiations for octanol continue to drift lower amid bearish sentiment (September 16, 2026)

1. Daily Summary

① Spot prices for 2-EH (2-ethylhexanol) experienced a slight downward trend. Supply is expected to increase in the latter half of the month, prompting merchants to actively sell off inventory.

② Today, the operating rate for domestic 2-EH units was 73%. Downstream DOTP units operated at 59%, while DOP units operated at 53%.

2. Spot Market Overview

Table 1: Summary of Domestic 2-EH and Key Downstream Prices (Unit: CNY/ton)

Today, ex-factory prices for 2-EH in Shandong stood at 9500 CNY/ton, with the Jiangsu market referencing a range of 9500–9600 CNY/ton. The center of gravity for the domestic 2-EH market fluctuated within a narrow range, with spot negotiations showing a slight decline. Major plants maintained firm offers, primarily supported by international crude oil and propylene prices, while buyer interest remained lackluster. Industry inventories are currently low; merchants are adopting cautious trading strategies, resulting in a sluggish market atmosphere.

3. Production Dynamics

Today, the capacity utilization rate for domestic 2-EH was approximately 73%. Propylene feedstock prices fluctuated within a narrow range. Mainstream ex-factory prices for 2-EH in Shandong were 9500 CNY/ton, yielding a profit margin of 570 CNY/ton for Shandong producers.

4. Price Forecast

Production costs for 2-EH remain high, providing manufacturers with some profit space. Core downstream users show limited purchasing enthusiasm, leading to small-lot negotiations. Factory inventories are relatively low, making it difficult to secure transactions at higher offer prices. It is anticipated that tomorrow's spot price negotiations for 2-EH will cluster around the lower end of quoted prices.

5. Related Product Status

DOP: In the Shandong region, DOP market prices for ex-factory shipments ranged from 10,500 to 10,600 CNY/ton. The DOP market has been running steadily, with merchants focusing on sales. While some flexibility exists on pricing for certain lots, overall buyer demand remains moderate.

6. Data Calendar

Table 2: Overview of Domestic 2-EH Data (Units: 10,000 tons, CNY/ton)