n-Tetradecane Market Intelligence Report (May 27, 2026)

I. Recent Price Trends
1. Business Network Benchmark Price (May 19–24, 2026)
- May 19: No specific value disclosed; however, the pricing model is stated to be dynamically adjusted based on big-data analytics.
- May 20–24: Benchmark prices were not disclosed for five consecutive days. The report emphasizes that final transaction prices are influenced by two key parameters: adjustment coefficient K (accounting for payment-term-related financing costs) and premium/discount C (reflecting logistics, brand, and regional price differentials).
- Historical Reference: Quotation in Liaocheng region stood at RMB 18,000/ton on December 30, 2023; Shandong region quotation ranged between RMB 15,500–22,200/ton on January 16, 2026—indicating significant regional price dispersion.

2. Market Quotation Divergence
- Domestic Supply:
On January 16, 2026, Shandong Zhihengda Import & Export Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 15,500/ton for domestically produced n-tetradecane (purity ≥99%).
On May 12, 2026, Nantong Runfeng Petrochemical Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 20/kg (equivalent to RMB 20,000/ton) for domestic material.
- Imported Supply:
On May 12, 2026, U.S.-origin n-tetradecane was listed as “price negotiable” on GuideChem.com; Nanjing Oriental Pearl Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd. and other suppliers offered drum-packed spot inventory (purity 98%, density 0.763 g/cm3).
Historical import reference: Jiangsu Xinsu New Materials Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 10/kg (RMB 10,000/ton) on March 17, 2026—likely reflecting small-batch or specialty-grade supply.

II. Key Driving Factors Analysis
1. Supply-Demand Dynamics
- Supply Side:
Fushun Jielong Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (Fushun Beiyuan Fine Chemicals) has expanded its production capacity to 12,000 tons/year. Its strong technical team and product consistency have earned recognition in high-end markets.
Imported supplies serve as a supplementary source; however, their pricing remains sensitive to international crude oil volatility and logistics expenses.
- Demand Side:
Downstream applications are broad—including rubber, leather, paints & coatings, and cosmetics—but demand is fragmented, lacking centralized procurement that could trigger substantial price fluctuations.
High-end segments (e.g., cosmetic-grade) impose stringent purity requirements, potentially supporting a premium for imported material.

2. Cost Structure and Regional Price Differentials
- Domestic pricing is primarily affected by raw material costs (e.g., cracked hydrocarbon feedstocks) and regional logistics expenses. Shandong Province, as a hub of production capacity, tends to offer relatively lower quotations.
- Imported goods incur additional costs—including tariffs and ocean freight—resulting in generally higher prices than domestic equivalents, although exceptions may arise for niche or small-volume specifications.

3. Market Sentiment and Transaction Practices
- As reflected in the Business Network benchmark pricing model, financing cost (K) and regional differential (C) significantly influence final settlement prices—highlighting market sensitivity to cash-flow efficiency and logistics performance.
- Several suppliers adopt “price negotiable” quotations, suggesting considerable flexibility and room for price negotiation.

III. Forward Outlook
1. Short-Term (1–2 Weeks)
- Price Range: Domestic material expected to trade within RMB 15,500–20,000/ton; imported material likely to remain above RMB 20,000/ton due to logistics surcharges.
- Volatility Risk: A sharp swing in international crude oil prices could transmit upstream cost pressures; however, given n-tetradecane’s niche status, price elasticity remains low.

2. Medium-Term (1–3 Months)
- Supply-Demand Balance: Ramp-up of Fushun Jielong’s newly expanded capacity may increase overall market supply. Should downstream demand fail to grow proportionally, downward price pressure may intensify.
- Regional Competition: Concentrated capacity in Shandong may fuel price competition among domestic producers, further depressing average domestic prices.

3. Long-Term (6+ Months)
- Technological Advancement: Rising purity requirements in high-end applications may incentivize manufacturers to upgrade production processes; however, such improvements are unlikely to substantially alter the overall supply-demand landscape in the near term.
- Regulatory Impact: Stricter environmental regulations may restrict production of low-purity grades, accelerating industry consolidation and conferring long-term advantages to leading enterprises.

IV. Key Risk Alerts
1. International Crude Oil Volatility: As a cracked hydrocarbon derivative, n-tetradecane production costs are closely tied to crude oil prices; sharp increases could raise manufacturing costs.
2. Weak Downstream Demand: A downturn in end-user sectors—such as rubber or leather industries—could lead to demand contraction, exacerbating downward price pressure.
3. Import Policy Changes: Adjustments in tariff structures or introduction of new trade barriers may affect landed costs and supply reliability of imported material.