According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of SunSirs, the domestic MTBE market is weakly consolidated. From February 1st to 28th, MTBE prices fell from 5,975 RMB/ton to 5,875 RMB/ton, with a price drop of 1.67% during the period and a year-on-year price drop of 11.32%.

After the holiday, the domestic MTBE market trend is weak, and the demand for gasoline terminals is sluggish. Industry players only purchase a small amount of related gasoline components on demand, and MTBE manufacturers' shipments are cold, with prices mainly falling and consolidating.

At the end of the month, the domestic MTBE market showed some upward trend due to the export consolidation of some large manufacturers, resulting in relatively tight domestic resource supply. At the same time, transactions improved, end-users moderately purchased, and manufacturers' shipments improved, actively pushing up offers.

As the end of the month approaches, the MTBE market experiences sporadic narrow fluctuations. Due to the overall weakness of the gasoline market, businesses tend to purchase relevant gasoline components on demand, and the market is unlikely to have significant upward potential. The MTBE market is mainly characterized by small-scale fluctuations.

On the cost side, international crude oil prices showed an overall downward trend in February, and the average price also decreased compared to January. In the first half of the year, commercial crude oil and gasoline inventories in the United States increased significantly, coupled with market concerns about the risk of trade disputes, and Trump's reaffirmation of increasing US crude oil production, leading to a decline in international oil prices. In the middle of the month, market concerns about the potential drag on demand from US tariffs have weakened, while US sanctions on some oil producing countries continue. Market concerns about potential supply risks have increased, coupled with the possibility of OPEC+delaying production increases, leading to an increase in international oil prices. The acceleration of the Russia Ukraine peace talks in the latter half of the year has led to a reduction in geopolitical risks, and the United States may impose tariffs on multiple countries and organizations, including the European Union, causing a decline in international oil prices.

On the demand side, international crude oil futures have fluctuated downward, and the refined oil market has weakened downward. Among them, gasoline prices have fallen significantly due to weak demand, while diesel prices have been supported by gradually increasing demand. Most refineries in the region have adjusted their sales strategies based on their own shipment and inventory situation, and downstream businesses have purchased according to demand while consuming inventory. The market trading atmosphere is flat. Short term MTBE demand is influenced by bearish factors.

On the supply side, Maoming Shihua and Haite Weiye have plans to start construction, Haier Xi has plans to stop construction, and Lu Shenfa has a maintenance plan in March, with the specific time to be determined. After the start of the Shouguang Luqing new plant, the load may gradually increase, and it is expected that the resource supply may increase in the near future. Short term domestic MTBE supply is affected by bearish factors.

As of the close on February 27th, the closing price of the Asian MTBE market has decreased by $4.78/ton compared to the previous trading day, with FOB Singapore closing at $728.46-730.46/ton. The closing price of the European MTBE market increased by $6.25/ton compared to the previous trading day, and FOB ARA closed at $868.24-868.74/ton. The closing price of the MTBE market in the United States increased by $6.23/ton compared to the previous trading day, and the FOB Gulf offshore price closed at $778.73-779.08/ton (219.88-219.98 cents/gallon).

In the future, the gasoline market is expected to remain stable with a narrow range of weakness. MTBE analysts from SunSirs predict that the short-term MTBE market will experience narrow fluctuations between small areas, making it difficult for prices to make significant adjustments.

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