Triethylamine price surge in April H1 amid higher feedstock prices

In April H1, the price of Triethylamine (TEA) declined, influenced by a surge in the prices of its feedstock, Ammonia and Ethanol. This increase in raw material costs impacted TEA pricing dynamics. Market observers foresee ongoing destocking efforts, limiting fresh accumulations due to excess inventories. Furthermore, reduced demand across downstream sectors has resulted in an imbalance between supply and demand, further contributing to inventory surplus. These factors collectively have notably affected TEA demand within the market, highlighting the intricate interplay between feedstock costs, inventory management, and overall market demand in shaping TEA pricing trends.

In the European market, TEA saw a significant surge in price during the first half of April. This surge contrasts with the previous trend, which indicated a decline in TEA prices due to destocking efforts observed until November. Despite this recent price increase, Germany's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 118.60 points in March, reflecting overall inflationary pressures. However, Germany's manufacturing sector remains in contraction territory, with weak demand conditions leading to job losses and continued drawdown of inventories. While business outlook improved in March, sustained challenges in demand are evident, influencing market dynamics for TEA and other chemicals.

In the German market, TEA is experiencing moderate demand from the pharmaceutical sector, as evidenced by indices like DAX Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare (CXPPX). However, the Agrochemical sector's slump is dampening performance in the Polymer & Rubber and Dyes & Pigments markets, consequently impacting TEA demand. This interconnectedness within the chemical sector underscores how fluctuations in one industry can reverberate across others. Despite robust demand from pharmaceuticals, the overall TEA market is affected by the Agrochemical sector's downturn. This underscores the importance of monitoring sectoral dynamics and understanding their broader implications on chemical demand and market trends.

In the US market, TEA prices have surged during the specified period. The pharmaceutical sector is driving strong demand, while there are positive indicators from the Rubber and Polymer market. However, the Agrochemical sector is lagging behind, and there is only moderate demand from the Surfactant and Detergent market. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.5% year-over-year to 312.332 points in March 2024, surpassing the market consensus of a 3.4% advance. This indicates overall inflationary pressures, which could be impacting TEA prices alongside sector-specific demand dynamics in the US market.

According to ChemAnalyst's forecast, the price of TEA is anticipated to exhibit a stable to bullish trend in the Asian market. This projection is in line with the expected bullish trend in the price of the feedstock in upcoming sessions. Additionally, suppliers are not actively engaging in bulk destocking, which is a significant factor preventing the TEA price from following a bearish trend. However, the US market is indicating signs of improvement in the downstream sector, which could potentially influence the TEA price to slightly increase in the near term.