Although the total import volume of isopropanol reached 37,000 tons in the first 11 months of 2018, with an average monthly import volume of 3391 tons, and the average import volume of isopropanol in the past three years basically maintained at the level of more than 3,000 tons, the change is not obvious, but the industry expects that in the long run, the import volume of isopropanol will continue to decrease, while China’s domestic production capacity of isopropanol is gradually surplus and is expected to reach full self-sufficiency. 。 “From the point of view of import countries, China’s import of isopropanol is mainly from offshore sources such as Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan. Among them, Taiwan, China accounts for 69% of the total annual imports. “Zheng Mingnan, an information analyst at Zhongyu, said that the United States, Germany and the Netherlands dominate the ocean-going sector, but the number is very limited. The main reason for this phenomenon is that offshore cargo has certain advantages in both transportation distance and operation convenience.

It is noteworthy that the export of isopropanol has increased significantly. Reporters learned that the annual export of isopropanol in 2012 was only 3235 tons, and the export volume reached 85819 tons in the 11 months before 2018, an increase of 2552%. “As domestic production capacity continues to increase, excess capacity can only be adjusted by increasing exports. It is estimated that the annual export volume of isopropanol in 2018 will double that in 2017. “Zheng Mingnan said that in 2018, the price of acetone continued to fall, the cost line of acetone-based isopropanol was low, the export price of domestic isopropanol had absolute advantage, and more enterprises aimed at the export market.

From the point of view of exporting countries (regions), China’s isopropanol exports are relatively scattered, and India is the main exporter. “In the first 11 months of 2018, 38,000 tons of isopropanol were exported to India, equivalent to about 44% of the total in the first 11 months, followed by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. “Zheng Mingnan said.

Zheng Mingnan believes that isopropanol is in the situation of overcapacity, and there is no new growth point in downstream demand. It can only maintain its supply and demand on a reasonable lever through the adjustment of import and export. According to Zhongyu information, after the restart of China’s Dadi Soap, part of the focus will be on the export market. Kailing Zhangjiagang and Detian Shandong also have plans to make export orders. “At present, the domestic isopropanol production capacity has not been fully released, so the export side will remain the main direction, while the import side may still show a decreasing trend. “Zheng Mingnan said.