For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American market for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates witnessed a notable increase in prices. This surge can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the demand for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates remained robust across the region, driven by steady procurement from downstream Personal care sector including surfactants and detergents.
Upstream ethylene oxide, which was required for the manufacture of nonylphenol ethoxylates, was sufficiently available. This ensured steady output with little disruption to the supply chain. Moreover, the pricing environment was influenced by fluctuations in crude oil prices, which impacted manufacturing costs.
Moving specifically to the USA, the market experienced significant price changes, with a 1% increase from the previous quarter in 2024. The second half of the quarter saw a 4% price difference compared to the first half, indicating a notable uptrend. Ultimately, the quarter-ending price for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Gulf Coast in the USA stood at USD 2505/MT, reflecting a positive and increasing pricing environment in the region.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the pricing of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the APAC region experienced a notable increase, particularly in China. This quarter has been characterized by a steady rise in market prices, driven by various factors. The demand from industries like personal care and surfactants has played a significant role in influencing prices, with manufacturers operating at reduced capacity levels due to economic uncertainties. Additionally, supply chain disruptions, high freight charges, and limited availability of raw materials have all contributed to the upward pricing trend. In China specifically, the market has seen the most significant price changes, reflecting a consistent increase throughout the quarter. Prices have shown resilience with negligible change from the previous quarter in 2024. The second half of the quarter saw a notable 5% price increase compared to the first half, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 1680/MT for Nonylphenol Ethoxylate 9.5 mole FOB Qingdao. Overall, the pricing environment in Q3 2024 has been characterized by a positive and steady upward trajectory.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the pricing environment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the Europe region has been characterized by a steady increase in prices. This upward trend has been primarily influenced by a combination of factors. Firstly, the surge in crude oil prices globally has raised manufacturing costs for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, contributing to the price escalation. Additionally, the availability of upstream materials, such as Ethylene Oxide, has been sufficient, ensuring consistent production levels but also supporting the price hike. Furthermore, demand from end-user industries like surfactants and detergents has shown a moderate increase, further bolstering prices. Specifically focusing on Germany, which has experienced the most significant price changes in the region, the overall trend has been one of consistent price growth. Seasonal factors and market dynamics have played a crucial role in driving prices upwards. The quarter-on-quarter increase of 3% highlights the sustained upward movement in prices. The comparison between the first and second half of the quarter, which saw a 3% price difference, further underscored the steady price appreciation. As of the latest quarter-ending, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Hamburg in Germany was priced at USD 2570/MT, reflecting a stable and positive pricing environment.
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Market Analysis: Industry Market Size, Plant Capacity, Production, Operating Efficiency, Demand & Supply, End-User Industries, Sales Channel, Regional Demand, Company Share, Manufacturing Process, 2015-2032
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In North America, the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates have demonstrated a volatile trend. In the first half of Q2, the prices have increased owing to demand from downstream personal care industries has increased, boosting overall market sentiment.
As per the market sources, Reduced manufacturing activities in the USA have led to limited availability of finished goods, further driving up prices. However, with the progress of the second quarter of 2024, the prices have started to plummet amidst ease of production challenges and a slowdown in inquiries from the downstream Personal Care industries.
Focusing on the USA, which observed the most substantial price changes, the overall trend in Q2 has been decidedly negative. Seasonality played a crucial role, with the second half of the quarter witnessing a price drop of 3% compared to the first half. The interplay between consistent supply and subdued demand created a bearish pricing environment. The culmination of these factors led to the quarter-ending price of USD 2400/MT for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Gulf Coast in the USA. This quarter's pricing environment has thus been predominantly negative, reflecting a market decline.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates market in the APAC region experienced mixed market fundamentals. At the start of the second quarter, the demand from the personal care industries surged, leading to higher costs for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. To maintain market stability, existing inventories have been depleted, and new production has been initiated. Furthermore, toward the quarter-end, the reduction in procurement from downstream personal care industries significantly contributed to lower price realizations. High production levels and sufficient supply of raw materials, such as Ethylene Oxide and Palm Oil, met with lackluster demand, compounded the price decline. Focusing on China, the region witnessed the maximum price volatility. The overall trend exhibited a substantial price decrease, attributed to the seasonality effect, subdued market activities post-holiday periods, and the digestion of pre-existing inventories. The economic slowdown and reduced consumer spending also played a critical role in the declining demand for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. Conclusively, the quarter ended with Nonylphenol Ethoxylate 9.5 mole FOB Qingdao prices at USD 1600/MT, marking a subdued market environment. The persistent downward pressure reflects a negative pricing sentiment, driven by weak demand, overstocked inventories, and minimal upward cost influences. This quarter has been challenging, with limited optimism for immediate recovery, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments to balance supply and demand dynamics.
Europe
In the second quarter of 2024, the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates demonstrated varied market dynamics. The quarter was characterized by limited demand from downstream industries, particularly in the personal care sector, which compounded the market sentiment. Additionally, heightened wage demands exacerbated tight labor conditions domestically, affecting production costs and potentially influencing prices. On the other hand, the escalating Crude Oil prices following OPEC+'s production cut decision added to market challenges for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. These conditions were further dampened by tight monetary policies across Europe, which curbed economic activity and purchasing power. The availability of upstream Nonylphenol was sufficient to meet the demand from the downstream industries. The operating rates of the downstream manufacturing firms have not returned to their regular levels. Focusing on Germany, the market saw the most significant fluctuations in Nonylphenol Ethoxylates prices. Compared to the same quarter last year, prices dropped by 4%, indicating a negative pricing environment. However, there was a slight recovery from the previous quarter in 2024, with a 4% increase, suggesting some market stabilization. The quarter-ending price for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Hamburg in Germany settled at USD 2470/MT.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
During the first quarter of 2024, the North American region experienced a uptrend in pricing for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs), driven by several key market dynamics. A significant factor contributing to this trend was the rise in demand from various industries, particularly the Personal Care sector, which created a bullish market sentiment. This increased demand, coupled with limited supplies of finished goods and reduced operating rates of manufacturing firms, intensified the upward pressure on prices. The constrained availability of NPEs further fueled market optimism, leading to a favorable pricing environment.
Furthermore, the rise in upstream Ethylene Oxide prices has further supported the increasing trend in Nonylphenol Ethoxylates prices. On the input energy front, the tightening in physical markets, driven by OPEC+ members' decision to extend production cuts, has resulted in bullish Crude Oil prices. This has led to elevated manufacturing costs for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates.
In the USA, the percentage change from the same quarter last year is -2%, indicating a slight decrease in prices. Moreover, there was a 5% price difference between the first and second half of the quarter, with prices escalating in the latter half. As of the latest quarter-ending, the price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Gulf Coast in the USA stood at USD 2500/MT. Overall, the pricing environment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in Q1 2024 has been positive, with prices experiencing an upward trajectory.
APAC
In Q1 2024, the pricing environment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the domestic market of China has witnessed mixed trend. Several significant factors have influenced the market prices during this period. The reduced demand from downstream industries, particularly the Personal Care sector, has contributed to the overall decline in prices. China, in particular, has seen the maximum price changes in the region. In February, the market participants have reported that amid the commencement of the Spring Festival Holidays in China, the procurement activities from the downstream firms have remained suppressed. As the Spring Festival approached, markets in various parts of China have gradually entered a state of shutdown and vacation, leading to reduced demand Additionally, logistics have gradually closed, and road transportation has been hindered. Additionally, the geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and conflicts in the Middle East have caused volatility in the oil market, affecting the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. In comparison to the same quarter last year, there has been a significant decrease of 9% in prices. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices have decreased by 3%. However, there has been a slight increase of 1% in prices between the first and second half of the quarter. As of the latest quarter-ending price, Nonylphenol Ethoxylate 9.5 mole FOB Qingdao in China is priced at USD 1720 per ton, reflecting the overall decreasing sentiment in the pricing environment.
Europe
The pricing environment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in Europe has been marked by rising prices in the first quarter of 2024. This trend has been influenced by several key factors. During a period of low seasonal demand, manufacturers have reduced production rates and adjusted inventory levels to avoid overstocking. This time has been utilized for maintenance and upgrading production facilities, leading to a limited availability of finished goods. Additionally, geopolitical tensions between Israel and Hamas have contributed to higher crude oil prices, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. In February, the inquiries from the downstream Surfactant and Detergent industries were observed to be moderate amidst a reduction in buying sentiments of the end-use industries. The cost support from upstream raw materials was also limited. Compared to the same quarter last year, prices have decreased by 2%. However, there has been a significant increase in prices from the previous quarter in 2024, recording a 5% growth. The prices have remained stable throughout the quarter, with a 5% price increase from the first half to the second half of the period. The quarter-ending price for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Hamburg in Germany is USD 2470/MT, reflecting the overall increasing sentiment in the pricing environment.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
The North American market for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates witnessed a stable market situation throughout Q4 2023. The moderate supply of finished stocks met the demand from the downstream Personal Care sector, which gradually increased, leading to improved market transactions. The manufacturers opted for price cuts for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates amidst the ongoing destocking season.
The market experienced dropping inflationary pressures, which might escalate demand from the downstream Personal Care sector. The availability of finished Nonylphenol Ethoxylates was sufficient, and consumer sentiments might improve in mid-Q4. No plant shutdowns were reported during the quarter. In the USA, the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates demonstrated a bullish trend throughout the quarter, gaining momentum in the first week of November 2023.
The production activities picked up in the US market with reinforcement in demand from the downstream Personal Care industries. Limited stocks coupled with solid procurement from the terminal market increased the supply-side pressure. Energy prices gained momentum, inflicting the manufacturing cost of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates on the higher side across the regional markets. The prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the USA were settled at USD 2363/MT, FOB Gulf Coast, at the end of Q4 2023.
APAC
The fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4) for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the APAC region witnessed low demand from downstream Personal Care industries, leading to stable prices. The availability of finished goods was low due to lower operating rates in the previous quarter, which raised supply-side concerns. China, which experienced the most significant changes in pricing, saw a bearish market due to the availability of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates on the higher end, leading to price cuts. The limited stocks and solid procurement from the terminal market increased the supply-side pressure. The energy prices rose, leading to higher manufacturing costs of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the early Q4, while active demand from downstream Personal Care led to further price adjustments. The price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in China at the end of the quarter was USD 1684/MT FOB Qingdao. The percentage change from the same quarter of the previous year was -38%, while the percentage change from the previous quarter was -15%. The price percentage comparison of the first and second half of the quarter had no change. The ongoing destocking season might lead to a greater inclination to release inventories at lower prices. The demand from the downstream Personal Care sector is anticipated to escalate after the Golden Week holidays.
Europe
The European market of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates experienced a challenging Q4-2023, with the prices plummeting due to multiple reasons. The persisting inflationary pressures in the European market coupled with the rising crude oil prices have exacerbated the Phenol market concerns. A decline in demand from the downstream Personal Care sector and the inquiries from the downstream Surfactant and Detergent Sector remaining average have also contributed to the downward momentum of the prices. Additionally, the ECB increasing its key interest rate to 4.50 percent and marking the 10th consecutive rate hike in its most aggressive tightening cycle ever, which began in July last year, has further added to the market's concerns. The persisting geopolitical tension between Israel and Palestine has also led to an increase in the manufacturing costs of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. Germany, being the most impacted country, has seen a -8% price change from the previous quarter, with a -2% price percentage comparison of the first and second half of the quarter. The current quarter's price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Hamburg in Germany is USD 2360/MT.