MEK price index

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MEK price index

This post is a summary of the MEK price developments. The price developments of MEK are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. MEK price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for MEK prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of MEK prices
Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of MEK
Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of MEK prices
Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the MEK market
Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the MEK price c

What is MEK

MEKe, also known as methyl ethyl ketone, is an organic compound that is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet, fruity aroma. It is a member of the ketone family and is used as a solvent in a variety of applications, including the production of paints, adhesives, and coatings. MEK is also used as a solvent in the production of plastics, resins, and rubber, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of other chemicals. It is toxic if ingested or inhaled and can cause skin irritation. It is important to use caution when handling MEK and to follow proper safety guidelines.

How is MEK produced

MEK, or methyl ethyl ketone, is produced through the acetylation of 2-butanol, which is an alcohol. The acetylation process involves the addition of an acetyl group to the 2-butanol molecule to form MEK The reaction is typically carried out using an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.

MEK can also be produced through the oxidation of 2-butanol, which is an alcohol. This process involves the addition of oxygen to the 2-butanol molecule to form MEK and water.

The production of MEK can produce a variety of by-products and waste materials, and it is important to properly manage these materials to minimize environmental impacts.

What drives the cost of MEK

The cost of MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) can be influenced by several factors, including:

Feedstock prices

The cost of MEK can be significantly influenced by the cost of its primary feedstock, which is usually n-butane or n-butene. The cost of these feedstocks can be impacted by various factors, including supply and demand, global oil prices, and regional production levels.

Production costs

The cost of producing MEK can be influenced by various factors such as energy costs, labor costs, and transportation costs. These factors can vary based on the location of production and the technology used.

Government policies

Government policies such as import and export regulations, subsidies, and taxes can also impact the cost of MEK. These policies can impact the availability and cost of feedstocks, production costs, and market demand.

Overall, the cost of MEK is influenced by a complex set of factors that can vary over time and across different regions of the world.

What is MEK used for

MEK, or methyl ethyl ketone, is a versatile solvent that is used in a variety of applications, including:

Paints and coatings

MEK is used as a solvent in the production of paints, coatings, and other products that require a thin, liquid medium to dissolve or disperse other ingredients.

Adhesives

MEK is used as a solvent in the production of adhesives, including contact cements, rubber cements, and other types of adhesives that require a solvent to dissolve or disperse other ingredients.

Plastics and resins

MEK is used as a solvent in the production of plastics and resins, including polycarbonate and other types of plastic resins.

Rubber

MEK is used as a solvent in the production of rubber, including synthetic rubber and other types of rubber products.

Chemical intermediate

MEK is also used as a chemical intermediate in the production of other chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other industrial chemicals.

How big is the MEK market

The MEK market is a significant global industry, with demand driven by a variety of end-use applications. According to a report from MarketsandMarkets, the global MEK market was valued at $5.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $8.6 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate of 7.3% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand for MEK in the production of paints, adhesives, and coatings, as well as in the production of plastics and resins. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for MEK, followed by North America and Europe. The market is expected to witness significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by the increasing demand for MEK in various applications.

According to https://oec.world/ :

MEK are the world’s 2330th most traded product.

In 2020, the top exporters of MEK were China ($180M), Japan ($120M), Netherlands ($82M), United Kingdom ($80.7M), and South Africa ($67M).

In 2020, the top importers of MEK were South Korea ($108M), United States ($96.3M), Belgium ($56.9M), Vietnam ($42.2M), and Germany ($37.6M).

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Where does the data come from?

The source of the data are exclusively public non-confidential sources. We have no access to primary data
This the index trend of the price trend of the "product category" in general, and not a single specification of the product in particular
The data is a combination of contract and spot pricing
Our algorithms are set up to eliminate significant product mix impact on the reported price
We combine public publications, import/export records, trading prices, company announcements, magazine articles, tweets, and other sources of ad-hoc public information.
The chart shows the our best approximation of the market trend based on our algorithm interpretation of the signals
For most indexes we have multiple sources and we focus on using statistically-correlated sources
As a function of our automation, it is likely that recent trends will be adjusted as we discover more information. So, for example, the price trend for February 2024 will be first calculated in February 2024 and adjusted in March, April and May 2024.
We will update the data trend as more information becomes available, and this means that recent trends will always be adjusted as we get more data available
The algorithm will regularly revise our understanding of market trends, and indicated market trends may change
The data is presented in US$. The UOM of measure is shown in the Index list table
Our automated software and we do our best to create an accurate representation of the trend

Where does the data NOT come from?

We do not purchase data from any other source and republish it.
We will not purchase data from any other source and republish it
We do not extrapolate trends, even for the forecast. We look for other market signals and leading indicators

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If you are making decisions driving significant share of profit, we always recommend that you buy data from the companies who invest in direct primary market access such as ICIS, amongst many others
Our data, at best, represents an estimate of the market trend based on public information
We have no direct access to the market, and we do not interview suppliers and customers
Our automated analysis tools in the online software are set up to combine our data with other sources of data
We do not recommend that you use our data for direct price mechanisms, as we may change and improve the data trends over time, including historical data

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- From a single source, which we consider reliable, but we cannot verify the data.
- From 2 or more sources which have some periods of contradicting trends.
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What are the disclaimers?

We assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site.
The information is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, fitness for purpose or timeliness.
By their nature, outlooks are always uncertain

How often do we update the data?

We aim to update the data series on the 9th and 24th of each month (but we do not always make it for each chart)
The data for the current month and recent history are fine-tuned over time.

What are we doing to improve the data?

We are continually improving our data collection and processing methods
Pricing data will be updated from time to time as we improve the accuracy
We are reviewing all data sources in the first half of 2024.
- There will be continuous fine-tuning of the trend and forecast algorithm as part of that.
- The key focus in 2024 is to add many additional indexes

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