Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

Market Overview

The Tert-butyl alcohol drifted lower through the year 2025. South America being one of the priciest markets, eased from USD 1.287/KG in Q1 to USD 1.216/KG by Q4 on import-linked costs, while Northeast Asia slid all year on ample supply. The global average came down gently, from USD 0.987/KG to USD 0.965/KG, with co-product economics doing most of the work.

Tert-butyl alcohol, or TBA, is recovered mainly as the co-product of propylene oxide manufacture and from the isobutylene chemistry, which essentially ties its supply to those upstream routes rather than to its own demand. It is used as a gasoline oxygenate and an intermediate for MTBE and ETBE, it is the biggest outlet. Alongside solvent applications and feedstock for MMA and other derivatives, the prices run on isobutylene and propylene oxide economics, gasoline-additive demand, and the balance of co-product supply.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Price Forecast for 2026

The rest of the year 2026 looks pretty soft as ample co-product supply caps prices, and the Asian market keep sliding. The import-linked South America and Africa hold it firmer. A propylene oxide slowdown that gradually tightened the co-product supply, or a gasoline-additive demand surge, would lift prices. More of the co-product material or the weak solvent demand would extend the slide. This is most clear in the region of Asia.

For the Quarter Ending March 2026

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices Q1 2026:

• South America: USD 1.186/KG
• North America: USD 0.987/KG
• Africa: USD 0.973/KG
• Europe: USD 0.937/KG
• Northeast Asia: USD 0.690/KG

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in South America

South America had eased into a value of 2.4% to USD 1.186/KG in Q1 of the year 2026, still the dearest market by a wide margin. Import reliance had kept the prices high, but softer global supply had trimmed the landing costs. The region had experienced a gentle year-long decline.

Why did the price of tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q1 2026 in South America?

Softer global supply eased the import-linked market 2.4% to USD 1.186/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in North America

North America had firmed a percentage of 2.0% to USD 0.987/KG, as it was recovering further from its Q3 low. The firmer gasoline-additive demand and the steadier feedstock costs had lent support. The market clawed back part of its earlier decline.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q1 2026 in North America?

Firmer gasoline-additive demand had drove a value of 2.0% rise to USD 0.987/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Africa

Africa had eased into a percentage of 1.7% to a value of USD 0.973/KG, as it was holding broadly steady. As an import-reliant market, it had tracked the softer global supply, while the steady demand had kept the decline shallow. Prices had stayed near their year-long level.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q1 2026 in Africa?

Softer global supply trimmed the import-linked market 1.7% to USD 0.973/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Europe

Europe was nearly flat at USD 0.937/KG, down 0.1%. Balanced supply and steady solvent demand held the mid-range. The market consolidated after a firm middle of 2025.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q1 2026 in Europe?

The balanced supply and the steady demand had held prices flat at USD 0.937/KG, down 0.1%.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia fell 3.4% to USD 0.690/KG, the lowest of any region and still sliding. Ample co-product supply and soft demand pressed prices down. The region extended an unbroken year-long decline.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q1 2026 in Northeast Asia?

Ample co-product supply and soft demand drove a 3.4% fall to USD 0.690/KG.

For the Quarter Ending December 2025

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices Q4 2025:

• South America: USD 1.216/KG
• North America: USD 0.968/KG
• Africa: USD 0.989/KG
• Europe: USD 0.939/KG
• Northeast Asia: USD 0.714/KG

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in South America

South America eased 3.0% to USD 1.216/KG in Q4 2025. Softer global supply fed into the import-reliant market, while demand was steady. The region held its premium but drifted lower.

Why did the price of tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q4 2025 in South America?

Softer global supply eased prices 3.0% to USD 1.216/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in North America

North America firmed 2.2% to USD 0.968/KG in Q4 2025, recovering from its Q3 low. Firmer gasoline-additive demand and steadier feedstock costs supported the rebound. The market turned the corner into year-end.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q4 2025 in North America?

Firmer gasoline-additive demand drove a 2.2% rebound to USD 0.968/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Africa

Africa firmed 0.6% to USD 0.989/KG in Q4 2025, holding steady. Import-linked costs and steady demand kept the market balanced. Prices barely moved.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q4 2025 in Africa?

Import-linked costs and steady demand held prices near flat at USD 0.989/KG, up 0.6%.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Europe

Europe eased 2.6% to USD 0.939/KG in Q4 2025 after a firm Q3. Balanced supply and seasonally softer demand trimmed prices. The market settled in the mid-range.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q4 2025 in Europe?

Balanced supply and softer seasonal demand eased prices 2.6% to USD 0.939/KG.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia eased 0.8% to USD 0.714/KG in Q4 2025, continuing its decline. Ample co-product supply kept the market the cheapest, with soft demand offering no support. Prices drifted to a new low.

Why did the price of Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) change in Q4 2025 in Northeast Asia?

Ample co-product supply eased the floor 0.8% to USD 0.714/KG.

Quarterly Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Price Trends

Tert-butyl alcohol eased gently across the six quarters, the global average slipping from USD 0.987/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.955/KG by Q1 2026, a net decline of 3.2%. Ample co-product supply weighed on the market, with Northeast Asia falling steadily while import-linked South America and Africa held firmer. Co-product economics set the backdrop throughout.

What was Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Price in 2025?

Tert-butyl alcohol softened over 2025, the global average easing from USD 0.987/KG in Q1 to USD 0.965/KG by Q4, down 2.2%. Three forces shaped the year. Ample co-product supply from propylene oxide and isobutylene routes kept the market well supplied. Steady but unspectacular gasoline-additive and solvent demand gave a base. And a wide regional split saw Northeast Asia slide while South America held its import-linked premium.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in South America in 2025

South America stayed the dearest market, easing from USD 1.287/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.216/KG by Q4, down 5.5%. Import reliance held prices well above the rest, while softer global supply trimmed them gradually. Import-cost economics was the dominant driver.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in North America in 2025

North America traced a dip and recovery, from USD 1.047/KG in Q1 2025 to a USD 0.947/KG Q3 low, then back to USD 0.968/KG by Q4, a full-year fall of 7.5%. Soft mid-year demand drove the dip, firmer gasoline-additive demand the recovery. Demand swings were the dominant driver.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Africa in 2025

Africa firmed modestly, from USD 0.922/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.989/KG by Q4, up 7.3%. Import-linked costs and steady demand held the market broadly stable all year. Import economics was the dominant driver for this import-reliant region.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Europe in 2025

Europe firmed then eased, from USD 0.877/KG in Q1 2025 to a USD 0.964/KG Q3 peak and back to USD 0.939/KG by Q4, up 7.1% on the year. Balanced supply and steady solvent demand kept it in the mid-range. Balanced fundamentals were the dominant driver.

Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Prices in Northeast Asia in 2025

Northeast Asia fell steadily, from USD 0.801/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.714/KG by Q4, down 10.9%, the weakest path in the set. Ample co-product supply and soft demand pressed prices lower every quarter. Structural oversupply was the dominant driver, keeping the region the cheapest source.

How We Can Help

Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Tert-Butyl Alcohol (TBA) Price Intelligence

Expert Market Research tracks tert-butyl alcohol prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region, always working out why a price moved, from isobutylene and propylene oxide economics to gasoline-additive demand, solvent use and trade flows. The forecasts bring together feedstock economics, co-product supply analysis, capacity use and demand trends so procurement teams can plan ahead. Contact Expert Market Research today for tert-butyl alcohol pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.