Recent Market Dynamics Report for Isopropylamine

I. Price Dynamics
Latest Quotations (as of May 26, 2026)
- Shandong Zhihengda Import & Export Co., Ltd.: Premium-grade isopropylamine (99.5% purity) priced at RMB 10,200 per metric ton; delivery location: Shandong Province; brand: Zhejiang Jianye; quotation valid for 3 days.
- Shandong Aite Chemical Co., Ltd.:
99% isopropylamine priced at RMB 11,000 per metric ton (market price); delivery location: Shandong Province; brand: Zhejiang Jianye.
Premium-grade isopropylamine (99.5% purity) priced at RMB 10,500 per metric ton (market price); delivery location: Shandong Province; brand: Zhejiang Jianye.
- Shandong Qiangsen Chemical Co., Ltd.: Ultra-high-purity isopropylamine (99.9% purity) priced at RMB 10,200 per metric ton; delivery location: Zibo City, Shandong Province; brand: Zhejiang Jianye.

Price Trends
- Recent Volatility: On February 27, 2026, isopropylamine prices declined by RMB 175 per metric ton to RMB 10,650 per metric ton. The three-month average price stood at RMB 10,770 per metric ton, with a low of RMB 10,300 and a high of RMB 11,533 per metric ton—marking the lowest levels in both the past year and the past three years.
- Quarterly Changes: In Q4 2025, prices fell approximately 9–15% compared to Q4 2024, representing a decline of roughly RMB 900–1,800 per metric ton. In Q3 2025, prices dropped about 11–15% relative to Q2 2024, corresponding to a decrease of approximately RMB 1,300–1,700 per metric ton.
- Monthly Changes: In April 2026, isopropylamine prices exhibited narrow-range volatility, with a monthly low of RMB 10,200 per metric ton and a high of RMB 11,000 per metric ton.

II. Supply and Demand
Supply Situation
- Capacity and Output: China’s total isopropylamine production capacity was approximately 128,000 metric tons per year in 2025, with actual output reaching about 103,000 metric tons. The average plant utilization rate was 80.5%. Effective capacity is projected to reach 145,000 metric tons per year in 2026; however, stricter environmental approvals and volatile raw material prices may slow annual output growth to ~4.8%.
- Industry Concentration: Industry concentration continues to rise, with outdated capacity being rapidly phased out. Leading enterprises are expanding market share through integrated operations and technological innovation.

Demand Situation
- Global Demand: Globally, pesticides represent the largest application segment for isopropylamine, accounting for ~48% of total demand; pharmaceutical intermediates follow at 22%, rubber additives at 15%, and other fine chemical applications make up the remainder. The Asia-Pacific region—particularly China, India, and Southeast Asian countries—has become the core engine of global isopropylamine demand growth. By 2026, regional consumption is expected to account for over 58% of global demand, growing at an annual rate 1.5 percentage points faster than the global average.
- Domestic (China) Demand: In China, pesticide applications account for an even higher share—52%—supported by stable domestic agrochemical demand and export-oriented manufacturing. Emerging sectors—including rubber additives, water treatment chemicals, and electronic chemicals—comprise 35% of domestic demand and are growing at over 8% annually.
- Import/Export Status: In 2025, China exported 12,000 metric tons of isopropylamine, an 18% year-on-year increase, primarily to Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Imports remained low (~3,000 metric tons), resulting in a domestic self-sufficiency rate exceeding 97%.

III. Costs and Profitability
Raw Material Prices
- Isopropylamine is primarily produced from acetone and liquid ammonia. Between 2023 and 2025, acetone prices experienced broad volatility due to fluctuations in crude oil prices and demand from downstream sectors such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA), averaging USD 750–950 per metric ton. In 2025, the average acetone price rose 5.6% year-on-year. Energy costs accounted for ~18% of total production costs, with electricity and steam expenses trending upward.

Profitability
- In 2024, the average ex-factory price of isopropylamine was approximately RMB 122,000 per metric ton, up 4.1% year-on-year. However, industry profitability was constrained by raw material price volatility. Leading enterprises maintained competitive advantages through integrated operations—for example, internal acetone supply.

IV. Analysis and Assessment
Price Support Factors
- Cost Support: Sustained high acetone prices, coupled with rising energy costs, limit further downward pressure on isopropylamine prices.
- Demand Support: Steady growth in demand from pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and emerging sectors—especially rapidly expanding demand for high-purity electronic-grade isopropylamine—drives capacity upgrades and profit growth.

Price Constraint Factors
- Capacity Expansion: With effective capacity expected to reach 145,000 metric tons per year in 2026, increased supply may exert downward pressure on prices.
- Competitive Landscape: Leading enterprises reinforce their market positions via economies of scale and technological advantages, while smaller producers exit the market at an accelerated pace—contributing to more rational and stable price fluctuations.

V. Outlook and Forecast
Price Range
- First Half of 2026: Isopropylamine prices in Shandong Province are expected to remain within RMB 9,800–10,500 per metric ton.
- Second Half of 2026: Prices may rise modestly to RMB 10,600–11,000 per metric ton, driven by seasonal demand strength in downstream industries.

Capacity and Output
- Effective Capacity in 2026: Expected to reach 145,000 metric tons per year; however, actual output growth may decelerate to ~4.8% annually.
- Market Share: Leading enterprises will further expand their market share through integrated operations and technological innovation.

Market Opportunities
- Low-Carbon Technologies: Industrial-scale breakthroughs in bio-based acetone-to-isopropylamine processes could fundamentally reshape the industry’s cost structure.
- High-Purity Electronic-Grade Isopropylamine: Rapidly growing demand presents a key opportunity for capacity upgrading and enhanced profitability.
- Export Competitiveness: Amid global supply chain restructuring, China’s isopropylamine benefits from strong cost advantages and improving product quality—enhancing its export competitiveness.