Recent Market Intelligence Report on n-Decanol

I. Market Price Dynamics

1. Latest Quotations:
- On May 25, 2026, Shanghai Lanyan Cosmetics Co., Ltd. quoted n-decanol (purity 99.5%, packaged in 180-kg drums) at RMB 28,500 per metric ton, with delivery in Baoshan District, Shanghai; the quotation is valid for three days.
- On May 21 and 22, 2026, Shanghai Lanyan Cosmetics Co., Ltd. quoted n-decanol (purity 99.5%, packaged in 170-kg drums) at RMB 28,500 per metric ton, under the imported Thai brand TFA.
- On May 18, 2026, Nanjing Dongde Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. quoted n-decanol (purity 99%, packaged in 170-kg drums) at RMB 28,000 per metric ton, with delivery in Xiangfan City, Hubei Province.

2. Price Trend:
- From December 2025 to May 2026, n-decanol prices exhibited a volatile upward trend. For example, the Shanghai regional quotation stood at RMB 24,500 per metric ton in December 2025, rising to RMB 28,500 per metric ton by May 2026.
- Regional and brand-based price variations persist: e.g., Shandong Province’s quotations remain relatively lower, with Shandong Layah Chemical Co., Ltd. quoting RMB 21,900 per metric ton in March 2026.

II. Supply-Demand Situation

1. Supply Conditions:
- Domestic n-decanol production capacity continues to expand; in 2026, new capacity additions are expected primarily from the Phase II expansion project of Ningbo Jinhai Chen Guang Chemical Co., Ltd. and technical upgrades at Shandong Jingbo Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
- Industry operating rates remain high: the utilization rate was 85.6% in 2025 and is projected to stay around 88.5% in 2026, helping mitigate risks of oversupply.

2. Demand Conditions:
- n-Decanol is widely used in fragrances, cosmetics, plasticizers, surfactants, and pharmaceutical intermediates; downstream demand remains steadily robust.
- In 2025, China’s n-decanol market size reached RMB 1.286 billion, representing a 6.3% year-on-year growth; the market size is forecast to reach RMB 1.367 billion in 2026, again growing by 6.3%, indicating the industry has entered a phase of stable expansion.

III. Import-Export Situation

1. Imports:
- In 2025, China’s n-decanol imports totaled 4,820 metric tons, down 5.3% year-on-year, primarily sourced from Evonik (Germany) and Mitsubishi Chemical (Japan).
- Import average prices remain elevated: the 2025 import average price was RMB 42,600 per metric ton—12.1% higher than the domestic average price—highlighting that high-end domestic grades are still undergoing technological breakthroughs.

2. Exports:
- In 2025, China’s n-decanol exports reached 1,960 metric tons, up 14.6% year-on-year, mainly shipped to Vietnam, India, and Turkey.
- The export average price was RMB 36,800 per metric ton, reflecting steadily improving international recognition in mid-tier markets.

IV. Market Analysis & Assessment

1. Cost Pressure:
- Raw material n-decanal remains highly import-dependent; its import average price rose 5.9% year-on-year in 2025, imposing continuous cost pressure.
- However, domestic technological advances—such as the pilot-scale facility for the ‘one-step decene hydroformylation’ process jointly developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Kaili New Materials Co., Ltd.—are expected to enhance raw material self-sufficiency and reduce costs.

2. Competitive Landscape:
- Industry concentration continues to rise, with the CR5 (combined market share of the top five players) reaching 63.4%. The top three companies are Jiangsu Yida Chemical Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Huangma Chemical Group Co., Ltd., and Shandong Luxi Chemical Group Co., Ltd.
- Leading enterprises invest more in R&D than the industry average and have established provincial-level n-decanol application engineering technology research centers, enabling end-to-end service capabilities.

3. Policy Environment:
- The n-decanol industry continues to receive substantial policy support at both national and local levels—for instance, inclusion in the ‘Key Chemical New Materials Industrialization Support List’, along with preferential corporate income tax treatment and enhanced R&D expense super-deduction incentives.

V. Market Outlook

1. Price Forecast:
- With expanding domestic capacity and improved raw material self-sufficiency, n-decanol prices are expected to stabilize or decline slightly; however, premium-grade pricing will remain influenced by imported products.
- Prices are anticipated to fluctuate within a narrow range over the near term, trending overall toward stability.

2. Supply-Demand Forecast:
- Domestic n-decanol production capacity will continue to grow, adequately meeting steady downstream demand across application sectors.
- Export markets are expected to further expand, especially in emerging markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico.

3. Industry Trends:
- The n-decanol industry is entering a new cycle characterized by rising technological barriers and deepening customer loyalty. Key competitive differentiators will include positioning in high-value-added niche markets, progress in achieving upstream raw material autonomy, and depth of strategic partnerships with downstream customers.
- Green manufacturing processes and bio-based feedstocks will gradually become mainstream trends, driving the n-decanol industry toward greater environmental sustainability and long-term viability.