Nov 2025 MTBE Market Review via Production Technology

SCI99

2025-12-05

Influenced by production technology, there were differences in MTBE unit operating rates, profits, output, etc.

1 Isomerization MTBE Unit Operation

Profits from isomerization MTBE production in Shandong averaged RMB -159/mt in November 2025, up RMB 64/mt MOM. Prices of high-olefin C4 in Northwest China averaged RMB 5,079/mt, down RMB 98/mt or 1.89% MOM. Prices of high-olefin C4 were stable-to-rising in November, but the mainstream prices moved downward. Meanwhile, MTBE prices fluctuated within a narrow range. Overall, profits from MTBE production via isomerization technology improved but remained negative. The average operating rate of isomerization MTBE unit in November 2025 was 47.75%, down 0.23% MOM. Influenced by the decrease in unit operating rate, the MTBE output from isomerization units was 188.3kt in November 2025, down 0.48% MOM.

2 Dehydrogenation MTBE Unit Operation

Profits from iso-butane dehydrogenation MTBE production in Shandong averaged RMB -288/mt in November 2025, down RMB 16/mt MOM and down RMB 11/mt YOY. In November 2025, iso-butane prices in Shandong averaged RMB 4,656/mt, up RMB 69/mt or 2% MOM and down 7% YOY. According to SCI’s data, iso-butane prices rose moderately. Meanwhile, MTBE prices in Shandong saw minor declines. Therefore, profits from iso-butane dehydrogenation MTBE production remained negative. Given the relatively high prices of high-purity iso-butane, dehydrogenation plants usually arrange mixed butane, civil-use gas and iso-butane as feedstock. Taking mixed butane as feedstock, profits from iso-butane dehydrogenation MTBE production averaged RMB -89/mt in November 2025, down RMB 74/mt MOM. The average operating rate of iso-butane dehydrogenation MTBE unit in November 2025 was 87.68%, up 7.01% MOM. Meanwhile, the MTBE output from iso-butane dehydrogenation units was 664.5kt in November 2025, up 4.94% MOM.

3 PO/MTBE Unit Operation

Profits from PO/MTBE production averaged RMB 507/mt in November 2025, up 22% MOM. In November 2025, the MTBE average price in Shandong saw a MOM slight decline of 0.45%. Meanwhile, PO prices in Shandong averaged RMB 8,061/mt, up 3.21% MOM, and the average prices of iso-butane and propylene rose by 1.67% and declined by 4.43% MOM respectively. Overall, profits from PO/MTBE production rose somewhat in November 2025. The average operating rate of PO/MTBE unit was 68.60% in November 2025, up 3.14% MOM. The MTBE output from PO/MTBE units was 141kt in November 2025, up 0.87% MOM.

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