据ICIS网站10月13日消息 美国异丙醇（IPA）需求在春季出现前所未有的激增之后，继续呈下降趋势。
这种下行趋势首先开始于第二季度，一直持续到第三季度，目前是第四季度初。
2020年初，异丙醇需求的主要驱动力是洗手液市场。随着冠状病毒病例在2月和3月迅速增加，消费者认为洗手液是限制冠状病毒传播的有效措施。
从那时起，尽管冠状病毒病例在6月和7月稳步上升，并在10月开始了更为渐进的第三波，但异丙醇需求（尤其是洗手液需求）仍然持平或下降。
国内异丙醇低端价格下跌1美分/磅（22美元/吨），高端价格下跌4美分/磅，目前评估价格为55-62美分/磅（美国海湾离岸价）。
现货市场价格下跌3美分/磅，高端下跌5美分/磅，评估价格为55-59美分/磅（美国海湾离岸价）。
虽然来自南非的进口增加，但亚洲所有主要进口国的进口量却下降。此外，英力士在德国的工厂也有了好转。
从7月到8月，进出口双双下降，反映了需求的下滑。
异丙醇进口较上月下降20%，目前处于4月份以来的最低水平。
从7月到8月，出口下降了43%。自2月以来，出口水平从未如此低过。
在美国出口市场，由于市场参与者表示需求较低，10月份现货价格也出现下跌。
一位参与者表示，尽管来自亚洲的航运和集装箱成本显著增加，但拉美对美国出口的需求仍然很低。虽然美国的价格现在更具竞争力，但由于需求疲软，交易受到限制。
价格在低端下跌5美分/磅，高端下跌6美分/磅，出口价格预计为49-52美分/磅。
美国异丙醇供应商包括埃克森美孚、陶氏化学、利安德巴塞尔、Monument 化工和壳牌化学。
王磊 摘译自 ICIS
原文如下：
US IPA demand is down, imports show signs of slowing
After an unprecedented surge in demand in the spring, US isopropanol (IPA) demand continues to trend downwards.
This downward movement first began in Q2 and has continued throughout Q3 and now at the start of Q4.
The primary driver of IPA demand in early 2020 was the hand sanitizer market. As coronavirus cases increased rapidly in February and March, consumers perceived hand sanitizers as an effective measure in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
Since then, even as coronavirus cases steadily rose in June and July and have begun a more gradual third wave in October, IPA demand (and hand sanitizer demand in particular) has continued to be flat or down.
Domestic IPA prices fell by 1 cent/lb ($22/tonne) On the spot market, prices fell 3 cents/lb While imports from South Africa increased, received volumes from all major Asian IPA importers declined. Additionally, INEOS is having a turnaround at its German facility.
Reflecting the decrease in demand, imports and exports both declined from July to August.
IPA imports fell 20% from the previous month and are now at their lowest levels since April.
Exports fell 43% from July to August, and levels have not been this low since February.
In the US export market, October spot prices also declined as market participants said demand was very low.
A player said that demand for US exports remained low in Latin America despite a notable increase in shipping and container costs from Asia. Although US prices are now more competitive, transactions have been limited due to the weak demand.
Prices fell 5 cents/lb US IPA suppliers include ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, Lyondellbasell, Monument Chemical and Shell Chemical.