This chart shows Methyl Ethyl Ketone price assessments in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 6 locations, as follows:
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone, US (United States): Methyl Ethyl Ketone, import transaction price, cif, United States
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone, EUR (Europe): Methyl Ethyl Ketone, export transaction price, fob, Northwest Europe
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone, NEA (Northeast Asia): Methyl Ethyl Ketone, export transaction price, fob, Japan
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone, AFR (Africa): Methyl Ethyl Ketone, export transaction price, fob, South Africa
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (99.5%), CN (China): Methyl Ethyl Ketone (min. purity of 99.5%), domestic spot price, exw, China
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (99.5%), SEA (Southeast Asia): Methyl Ethyl Ketone (min. purity of 99.5%), import spot price, cfr, India (netforward from fob China)
The chart above is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices. Subscribe and access now current prices of 225 commodities, including Methyl Ethyl Ketone.
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Intratec's methodology employs a structured big data strategy that utilizes advanced technologies to extract publicly available data from primary sources such as governmental trade records, statistics bureaus, and international agencies.
This data is then processed through mathematical models to generate reliable assessments, published at the very beginning of each month. To better understand the data provided check Intratec Primary Commodity Prices Methodology.
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Methyl Ethyl Ketone Price Outlook
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Price Outlook. The price of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (United States) increased during June 2020 to 1,360 USD per metric ton, which represents a considerable rise of 8% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, the prices of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (United States) increased significantly by 25%. Meanwhile, the average price of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (China) amounted to 993 USD per metric ton, from 882 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the price of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (China) is 13% higher than the price one month before.
The price of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Southeast Asia) rose considerably throughout June 2020, reaching 1,030 USD per metric ton. The price is 13% higher than the average price in the previous month and 13% higher than the average price one year before. In contrast, the prices of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Africa) decreased significantly during June 2020, reaching 1,030 USD per metric ton, which means a decline of 17% from the previous month’s price and a rise of 6% from the previous year’s price.
The prices of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Europe) experienced a significant decline of 200 USD per metric ton from the prior month's price, to 1,120 USD per metric ton. Such price movement meant a decrease of 15% on a monthly basis and a decrease of 6% on a yearly basis. On the other hand, in June 2020, the price of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Northeast Asia) witnessed a decline of 227 USD per metric ton when compared against the previous month's price, to 729 USD per metric ton. The June 2020 price is 22% lower than the price one year before.
About Methyl Ethyl Ketone
About Methyl Ethyl Ketone. Methyl Ethyl Ketone (a.k.a. MEK, Butanone) is an organic compound, in the ketone class. It is a colorless liquid with pleasant pungent/sweet odor. MEK is found naturally only in traces, although it is produced in large scale. For its high polarity, butanone’s main use is as an industrial solvent.
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) gained prominence as a substitute solvent with a lower boiling point than butyl alcohols in the paint and lacquer sectors. It can be derived through the liquid-phase oxidation of n-butanes or by catalytic dehydrogenation of sec-butyl alcohol in either liquid or gaseous states. Currently, the dominant commercial method is the gaseous dehydrogenation of sec-butyl alcohol. Additionally, MEK emerges as a by-product in the production of acetic acid from butane. The feasibility of MEK recovery hinges on the demand for acetic acid, given its potential for reutilization.
MEK finds significant application as a solvent in nitrocellulose, acrylic, and vinyl coatings, offering the benefit of creating low-viscosity solutions with high solids content without compromising film attributes. These coatings are prevalent in automotive, electrical, and furniture sectors. Owing to its rapid evaporation, MEK is favored in adhesives, rubber-based cements, cold bonding agents, and printing ink formulations. It also serves as a solvent for paint stripping and degreasing. Furthermore, MEK plays roles in dewaxing lubricants, extracting vegetable oils, producing photographic films, and crafting synthetic leather. It's a pivotal intermediate in catalyst, flavor, and perfume synthesis, and its derivative, MEK peroxide, serves as a curing agent in reinforced polyester fiberglass production.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Handling. Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a liquid at room temperature, and it is extremely flammable (flash point at -8°C) in both liquid and vapor forms, so it should be transported and stored away from heat sources in tightly closed containers, in well ventilated areas. Storage life of MEK is limited, and due to this fact, carbon steel containers are only suitable for short-term storage and transportation. For longer periods of storage, containers made of stainless steel or with a tin lining are recommended.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Production. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Methyl Ethyl Ketone are listed below.
- 2-Butanol (dehydrogenation, catalyzed by bronze, copper or zinc),
- Fischer-Tropsch mixture (fractionation, resulting in 2-butanol, followed by oxidation)
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Uses. The uses and applications of Methyl Ethyl Ketone may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Methyl Ethyl Ketone are industrial grade (90% minimum purity); technical grade (99% minimum purity); and pure/high performance liquid chromatography grade (HPLC, 99.5% minimum purity).