2-Methylbutane Price Chart & Market Analysis 2026

2-Methylbutane Price Information Spec: China national standards

Newest Price 1,527.69

Price Date 20261012

Day's Change -98.63

Day's Range 1,527.69 - 1,429.06

Month's Change -138.97

Month's Range 1,550.09 - 1,411.12

Year's Change +28.93

Year's Range 1,233.91 - 1,204.98

Opinions

What are the main applications of isopentane beyond blowing agents?

The environmental angle is a strong demand driver. With global HFC phasedown underway, isopentane and n-pentane are cost-effective, low-GWP alternatives. However, flammability and VOC emissions remain constraints. Buyers should evaluate total cost including explosion-proof storage and handling, not just the product price per tonne.

How is high-purity isopentane produced and what purity levels are available?

For buyers, purity grade directly impacts price and application. Don't over-specify: industrial grade suffices for EPS blowing, while polymer grade commands a premium. Also, isopentane's low boiling point (27.8°C) means storage and transport require pressurized or refrigerated systems, adding logistics costs that vary by region.

What is driving isopentane demand growth in China and how will prices trend?

Watch the regulatory angle closely. Tighter safety and environmental rules have already pushed smaller players out, raising entry barriers. Also note that the 2025 global combined isopentane/n-pentane market was around 490,000 tonnes at roughly $1,117/tonne, so China's 160,000-tonne isopentane demand is a substantial share. Buyers should lock in supply contracts with certified producers early.

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Overview

2-Methylbutane (isopentane, CAS 78-78-4) is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with a faint gasoline-like odor, a boiling point of about 30°C, and a low flash point of -51°C. It is a key C5 alkane isomer used primarily as a blowing agent, solvent, and refrigerant.

Refrigerant: serves as R601a, a widely adopted natural hydrocarbon refrigerant in household refrigerators and freezers, replacing ozone-depleting CFCs.
Foaming agent: used alone or blended with n-pentane as a blowing agent for expandable polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane foams.
Chemical solvent: acts as a reaction medium in the production of linear low-density polyethylene and other polymers.
Organic synthesis: a feedstock for dehydrogenation to isopentene and isoprene, and for chlorination to produce isoamyl alcohol.

China's production landscape centers on high-purity grades (≥99.5%) obtained via distillation or adsorption methods, with distillation being more common despite higher equipment investment. Demand is driven by the appliance, insulation, and packaging sectors, with domestic capacity broadly meeting local needs.

Key domestic producers:
Lihuayi Lijin Refining – operates a C6 isomerization unit producing isopentane as a co-product.

Properties

Name

2-Methylbutane

iso-C5H12

iso-Pentan

ISO-PENTANE

Isopentan

CAS Number

78-78-4

EINECS No.

201-142-8

Risk Codes

S9;S16;S29;S33;S61;S62

Safety Description

R12;R51/53;R65;R66;R67

HS Code

2901100000

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ChemPriceHub

2-Methylbutane Price Information Spec: China national standards

Opinions

What are the main applications of isopentane beyond blowing agents?

How is high-purity isopentane produced and what purity levels are available?

What is driving isopentane demand growth in China and how will prices trend?

Latest News

On December 5, Qilu's Isoprenol was priced at 8700 yuan.

On November 29, Luxi Chemical's isopentane was priced at 7850 yuan.

On November 22, Luxi Chemical's Isopentane was sold for 5850 yuan.

On November 21, Qilu Petrochemical's Isopentane was priced at 7600 yuan.

On November 18, Luxi Chemical's isopentane was priced at 5800 yuan.

On November 3rd, Luxi Chemical's isopentane was priced at 6000 yuan.

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