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Ester Alcohol C12 Prices, Demand and Supply Overview
India paid the most for ester alcohol C12 in Q3 2026: USD 1,580/MT, up 3.1% from USD 1,532/MT in Q2. Prices there reflect higher delivered costs and tighter local sellers. Worldwide, the average rose 2.8% to USD 1,571/MT from USD 1,528/MT, mostly because Chinese and Indian prices rose on higher feedstock and freight costs. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 1,502-1,660/MT range, with feedstock costs, plant operating rates and paint demand doing most of the work.
Ester alcohol C12 is a slow-evaporating coalescing agent that helps latex paint particles fuse into a smooth film at low temperatures. It is made from isobutyraldehyde and used in architectural paints, industrial coatings, adhesives and inks. This report tracks the bulk price of the product, quoted per tonne, in the main producing and consuming regions. Prices follow the cost of isobutyraldehyde and its related feedstocks, plant operating rates, and demand from paint and coating makers.
China is both a large producer and a large consumer, with American and European makers serving regional paint industries and India depending partly on imports. In China, drums of premium grade were offered near CNY 10,500 per tonne in October 2026, with local makers quoting between CNY 10,000 and CNY 13,250 depending on purity. In the second quarter, Chinese prices jumped by roughly a quarter on higher feedstock costs, and American offers were near USD 1,540 per tonne FOB.
Ester Alcohol C12 Price Forecast for 2026
Prices should hold close to current levels. Firm feedstock costs and seasonal coatings demand support prices. Year on year, the global average has moved from USD 1,442/MT to USD 1,571/MT, an increase of 8.9%.
For Q4, the risks are balanced. What could push prices higher? Higher isobutyraldehyde costs, plant outages or stronger coatings demand would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Ample supply, weak construction activity or lower freight rates would lower prices.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/MT) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 1,502 - 1,660 | Feedstock supports prices |
| China | 1,507 - 1,665 | Feedstock costs keep prices firm |
| United States | 1,497 - 1,655 | Cautious buying limits gains |
| Germany | 1,481 - 1,637 | Ample supply weighs on prices |
| India | 1,524 - 1,684 | Freight surcharges lift landed prices |
For the Quarter Ending September 2026
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices Q3 2026:
- China: USD 1,570/MT
- United States: USD 1,560/MT
- Germany: USD 1,575/MT
- India: USD 1,580/MT
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in China
In Q3 2026, the average price in China firmed 8.1% to USD 1,570/MT, compared with USD 1,452/MT in Q2. Prices rose as feedstock costs stayed high and sellers held their offers. Compared with Q3 2025, when China averaged USD 1,180/MT, the current price is 33.1% higher. That puts China in line with the four-market average of USD 1,571/MT.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q3 2026 in China?
China rose. Feedstock costs stayed high and sellers held their offers. Buyers kept orders close to immediate needs. At USD 1,570/MT, China is 38.9% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 1,130/MT, and the global average is 12.1% higher over the same period.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in United States
The United States' average gained 1.3% in Q3 2026, to USD 1,560/MT from USD 1,540/MT in Q2. Prices edged up as coatings makers restocked before the autumn painting season. The current level is 1.3% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 1,540/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 1,571/MT, the United States stood 0.7% below in the quarter.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q3 2026 in United States?
The United States edged higher. Coatings makers restocked before the autumn painting season. Traders checked stock levels before committing to larger volumes. Since Q4 2025 the price in the United States has gone up 4.0%, from USD 1,500/MT to USD 1,560/MT, while the global average has gone up 12.1%.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in Germany
Prices in Germany fell 0.9% in Q3 2026 to USD 1,575/MT, against USD 1,590/MT in Q2. Prices slipped as ample supply and cautious buying kept pressure on offers. Compared with Q3 2025, when Germany averaged USD 1,660/MT, the current price is 5.1% lower. That puts Germany in line with the four-market average of USD 1,571/MT.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q3 2026 in Germany?
Germany slipped. Ample supply and cautious buying kept pressure on offers. Offers were reviewed weekly as contract talks went on. Compared with the Q4 2025 average of USD 1,620/MT, the price in Germany has changed by -2.8%, against +12.1% for the global average.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in India
India recorded a 3.1% gain in Q3 2026, with the average rising to USD 1,580/MT from USD 1,532/MT in Q2. Prices rose as freight surcharges raised the landed cost of imports. The current level is 13.7% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 1,390/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 1,571/MT, India stood 0.6% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q3 2026 in India?
India rose. Freight surcharges raised the landed cost of imports. Most deals were settled on short notice. At USD 1,580/MT, India is 16.2% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 1,360/MT, and the global average is 12.1% higher over the same period.
For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices Q2 2026:
- China: USD 1,452/MT
- United States: USD 1,540/MT
- Germany: USD 1,590/MT
- India: USD 1,532/MT
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in China
Prices in China climbed 25.8% in Q2 2026 to USD 1,452/MT, against USD 1,154/MT in Q1. Prices rose sharply as feedstock costs climbed sharply. Compared with Q2 2025, when China averaged USD 1,240/MT, the current price is 17.1% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 1,528/MT was 5.0% below for China.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q2 2026 in China?
China rose sharply. Feedstock costs climbed sharply. Order sizes stayed modest through the quarter. Q1 had brought a 2.1% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 17.1% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,240/MT. Q3 then extended the move, taking the price to USD 1,570/MT.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in United States
The United States recorded a 4.1% gain in Q2 2026, with the average rising to USD 1,540/MT from USD 1,480/MT in Q1. Prices rose as freight surcharges widened. The current level is 2.5% below the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,580/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 1,528/MT, the United States stood 0.8% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q2 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Freight surcharges widened. Contract talks were mostly settled before the quarter began. After -1.3% in Q1, the quarter closed 2.5% below its year-earlier level of USD 1,580/MT, and in Q3 the move was extended, to USD 1,560/MT.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in Germany
In Q2 2026, the average price in Germany slipped 0.6% to USD 1,590/MT, compared with USD 1,600/MT in Q1. Prices slipped as supply was ample. Compared with Q2 2025, when Germany averaged USD 1,710/MT, the current price is 7.0% lower. The gap to the four-market average of USD 1,528/MT was 4.1% above for Germany.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q2 2026 in Germany?
Germany slipped. Supply was ample. Sellers adjusted offers in small steps. Year on year the price is 7.0% lower than the USD 1,710/MT of Q2 2025, following -1.2% in Q1. Q3 extended the move, with the price at USD 1,575/MT.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in India
India's average rose 15.2% in Q2 2026, to USD 1,532/MT from USD 1,330/MT in Q1. Prices rose sharply as freight surcharges widened. The current level is 7.9% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,420/MT. That puts India in line with the four-market average of USD 1,528/MT.
Why did the price of Ester Alcohol C12 change in Q2 2026 in India?
India rose sharply. Freight surcharges widened. Buyers worked through existing stock before placing new orders. Q1 had brought a 2.2% decline, and by the end of Q2 the price was 7.9% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,420/MT. Q3 then extended the move, taking the price to USD 1,580/MT.
Quarterly Ester Alcohol C12 Price Trends
Ester alcohol C12 prices fell through 2025 and rose in 2026. The global average moved from USD 1,468/MT in Q1 2025 to 1,488 in Q2, 1,442 in Q3, 1,402 in Q4, then 1,391 in Q1 2026, 1,528 in Q2 and 1,571 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 7.0% across the window. Feedstock costs, plant operating rates and paint demand set the direction.
| Quarter | Price (USD/MT) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q3 2026 | 1,571 | +2.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2026 | 1,528 | +9.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 1,391 | -0.8% | ↓ Falling |
| Q4 2025 | 1,402 | -2.8% | ↓ Falling |
| Q3 2025 | 1,442 | -3.1% | ↓ Falling |
| Q4 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
What was Ester Alcohol C12 Price in 2025?
2025 was a year of modest declines for ester alcohol C12. Starting near USD 1,468/MT in Q1, the global average finished the year at 1,402 in Q4, a drop of about 4.5%. Feedstock costs, plant operating rates and paint demand set the direction.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in China in 2025
In China, prices moved from about USD 1,210/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,130/MT by Q4, down roughly 6.6%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as feedstock costs and paint demand moved in turn. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in China is 38.9% higher at USD 1,570/MT.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in United States in 2025
In the United States, prices moved from about USD 1,560/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,500/MT by Q4, down roughly 3.8%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as supply conditions changed with plant operating rates. Since the 2025 close of USD 1,500/MT, the price in the United States has moved up 4.0%, reaching USD 1,560/MT in Q3 2026.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in Germany in 2025
In Germany, prices moved from about USD 1,700/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,620/MT by Q4, down roughly 4.7%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as feedstock costs and paint demand moved in turn. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in Germany is 2.8% lower at USD 1,575/MT.
Ester Alcohol C12 Prices in India in 2025
In India, prices moved from about USD 1,400/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,360/MT by Q4, down roughly 2.9%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as supply conditions changed with plant operating rates. Since the 2025 close of USD 1,360/MT, the price in India has moved up 16.2%, reaching USD 1,580/MT in Q3 2026.
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We follow ester alcohol C12 prices in the main producing and consuming countries, and trace each move back to feedstock costs, plant operating rates, paint demand and demand. Our forecasts draw on feedstock costs, plant operating rates and paint demand across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Report
Used as a coalescing agent in latex paints, industrial coatings, adhesives and printing inks.
In Q3 2026, it averaged USD 1,570/MT in China, USD 1,560/MT in the United States, USD 1,575/MT in Germany and USD 1,580/MT in India. India was the priciest market.
The global average went from USD 1,402/MT in Q4 2025 to 1,391 in Q1, 1,528 in Q2 and 1,571 in Q3, up 12.1% overall. Prices slipped in Q1, rose in Q2 and rose in Q3.
Higher feedstock and freight costs in China and India lifted prices, while Europe stayed well supplied.
We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 1,502-1,660/MT range. Feedstock costs and plant operating rates point to a flat to slightly higher range.
India sits at the top and the United States at the bottom. India is dearest because of higher delivered costs and tighter sellers, while The United States is cheapest on large local capacity.
Monthly. Need something more current? The Expert Market Research team is available directly.
Feedstock costs, plant operating rates, paint demand and freight drive the volatility.
China is the largest producer, with smaller volumes from the United States and Europe.
Index contracts to feedstock costs and keep a second supplier for the painting season.
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