I. Price Trend

According to data monitored by SunSirs, the domestic methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) market continued to rise this week. As of September 12, the overall average market price of MEK stood at around 9,133 yuan per ton based on comprehensive quotations from major regions.Compared with September 6, the price increased by about 1,200 yuan per ton, or 15.13%.Compared with September 1, it rose by 2,400 yuan per ton, a sharp increase of 35.64%.

II. Market Analysis

Products

The MEK market already saw a broad rally last week and continued a firm upward trend at the start of this week. Factory inventories were severely insufficient.Dealers in Shandong raised their quotations by 900 yuan on September 12 compared with September 9 (early this week).After a three-day shutdown starting September 9, Dongming Lishu Chemical increased its MEK price by 1,100 yuan per ton on September 12, with the current quotation at 9,300 yuan per ton.

At present, most factories face severe inventory shortages and tight spot supply. Most factories and dealers are quoting prices for pre‑sales delivery two weeks later. Shortages in the MEK market are expected to persist in the near term, with factories increasingly inclined to stabilize prices amid sluggish spot supply.

Quotations from traders remained firm:

  • Changzhou Yeshuo Petrochemical Co., Ltd. offered spot MEK at 9,500 yuan per ton on September 12.
  • Nantong Zhongkai Chemical Co., Ltd. quoted MEK at 9,600 yuan per ton on September 12 for one‑week pre‑sales.

Currently, MEK is quoted at around 9,300–9,400 yuan per ton in East China, and 9,200–9,300 yuan per ton in South China and North China.

Industrial Chain

The price of the upstream raw material, post‑ether C4 (Shandong market), stabilized after consecutive rises, supported by limited positive factors.The overall liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market was in steady consolidation with minor fluctuations among some producers:

  • North China LPG: mainstream price 3,450–3,600 yuan per ton
  • Shandong LPG: mainstream price 3,470–3,900 yuan per ton
  • East China LPG: mainstream price around 3,500 yuan per ton

Industry Overview

According to SunSirs’ price monitoring on September 11, 2019, 17 of the 58 major bulk commodities rose month‑on‑month, mainly in non‑ferrous metals (4 products) and chemicals (3 products).The top three gainers were:

  • Pure benzene: 3.42%
  • Silver: 1.62%
  • Live hogs: 1.20%

A total of 14 commodities declined month‑on‑month, concentrated in non‑ferrous metals (3 products) and agricultural and sideline products (3 products).The top three losers were:

  • Eggs: −3.93%
  • LNG: −0.88%
  • WTI crude oil: −0.78%

The average daily price change stood at 0.04%.

III. Outlook

Analysts at SunSirs believe that, amid widespread MEK shortages and pre‑sales arrangements at many factories, the MEK market is expected to remain firm and continue rising in late September.

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