For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American surfactants market exhibited mixed pricing dynamics across key products. Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) experienced a substantial decline of 11.02%, largely due to reduced post-holiday demand and lower feedstock costs. Fatty Acids followed a similar bearish trajectory, falling 2.47% as palm oil prices dropped and consumer demand weakened. Fatty Alcohols also saw a 3.38% price decrease in the first two months but rebounded in March on higher production costs and renewed demand. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates registered the steepest drop among all surfactants, down by 20%, impacted by inventory surpluses and subdued market sentiment.
Ethoxylated Tridecyl Alcohol stood out as the only product with a positive quarterly trend, rising 2.96% due to tightening supply and increased raw material costs. Ethylene Oxide prices declined by 8.81%, affected by weakened feedstock prices and oversupply. Soda Ash, although not a surfactant, had a 17.36% decline due to sluggish construction-driven demand and persistent inventory levels. Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) dropped 4.36%, influenced by reduced ethylene oxide and palm oil costs as well as waning interest in sulfate-based products. Meanwhile, Butanediol (BDO) showed relatively minor movement with a 0.74% decline, demonstrating moderate stability amidst supply constraints and tariff impacts.
In summary, Q1 2025 was characterized by broad downward price pressure across the surfactants landscape, except for Ethoxylated Tridecyl Alcohol, which posted modest gains. Economic uncertainties, lower feedstock costs, and cautious consumer behavior were key drivers of these trends, shaping a largely bearish but varied outlook for the sector.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European surfactants market displayed mixed performance, with pricing trends influenced by shifting supply-demand dynamics, feedstock cost fluctuations, and logistical disruptions. LABSA prices declined by 9.30% quarter-on-quarter despite a gradual recovery in February and March, as early-quarter softness and lingering inflationary pressures weighed on the market. Fatty Acids recorded a modest 3.45% increase, driven by late-quarter supply tightness and rising input costs, rebounding from earlier bearishness. In contrast, Fatty Alcohols declined by 8.54%, pressured by weak demand and falling palm oil prices, although some recovery was seen in March due to robust personal care sector demand. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates experienced the steepest drop at 16.01%, reflecting weak early-quarter demand and regulatory headwinds, despite a partial rebound in March. Ethylene Oxide prices fell by 9.59% amid softening feedstock values and port congestion issues. Soda Ash saw a 9.95% decline as subdued construction activity and excess inventory weighed on pricing. Conversely, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) surged 10.46%, supported by persistent demand and supply-side constraints. Butanediol (BDO) ended the quarter 5.27% lower, reflecting alternating periods of demand strength and logistical instability. Overall, Q1 2025 was marked by divergent pricing behavior across surfactants in Europe, with supply issues, economic volatility, and seasonal demand shaping market trajectories.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC surfactants market exhibited a mixed pricing trend influenced by varied regional dynamics, demand patterns, and raw material costs. Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid (LABSA) prices declined by 8.39% quarter-on-quarter, weighed down by weak downstream consumption and muted export demand, despite a modest recovery in March. Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates experienced the sharpest quarterly decline among surfactants, falling by 18.52% due to oversupply, low personal care sector demand, and reduced feedstock costs, though prices rebounded in March amid supply constraints. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates also saw a significant drop of 6.25% as economic uncertainties curbed beauty sector demand, before recovering towards quarter-end due to tightening supply and seasonal demand. Ethoxylated Tridecyl Alcohol, in contrast, posted a moderate 1.50% quarterly increase, reversing early declines with a March rally supported by rising raw material costs and robust demand from sustainable personal care brands. Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) prices rose by 15.36%, driven by volatile feedstock costs, palm oil supply disruptions, and fluctuating demand from FMCG sectors. Alkyl Ether Sulfates (AES) posted a 2.02% gain as early-quarter supply tightness and festive demand buoyed prices, although late-quarter corrections occurred due to inventory buildup and softening downstream demand. Overall, the surfactants market in Q1 2025 reflected a nuanced balance of bearish and bullish forces, with performance varying by product and influenced heavily by feedstock dynamics, seasonality, and end-use sector activity.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American chemical market exhibited mixed pricing trends, influenced by raw material fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and shifting demand patterns. Several commodities experienced downward pressure, including Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA), which saw a 10% price decline due to weak detergent sector demand and seasonal slowdowns, while Soda Ash prices dropped 4.5% amid ample supply and sluggish consumption from construction and glass industries. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates also saw a late-quarter price decline following earlier stability, driven by seasonal demand softening and a slowdown in manufacturing.
Conversely, fatty-based chemicals experienced significant price surges. Fatty Acids and Fatty Alcohols saw substantial increases due to global palm oil supply disruptions, Malaysian production shortfalls, and strong U.S. personal care sector demand. Similarly, Ethoxylated Tridecyl Alcohol prices rose steadily, driven by raw material shortages and heightened holiday demand, while Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates followed the same upward trajectory, reflecting tight global palm oil supplies. Surfactant-related chemicals, including Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) and Alkyl Ether Sulfates (AES), saw an 11% price increase due to rising production costs, adverse weather conditions, and strong seasonal consumer demand. The Butanediol (BDO) market also trended upwards, supported by robust demand from polyurethane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) markets, along with logistical constraints.
Other commodities experienced moderate to stable price trends. Defoamer Surfactants remained slightly positive due to steady industrial demand, despite supply chain disruptions. Ethylene Oxide (EO) saw early declines but rebounded in December as demand stabilized. Meanwhile, Sodium Percarbonate prices ended the quarter with a stable-to-slightly-lower trend, reflecting balanced supply and seasonal consumption shifts. Overall, Q4 2024 was marked by volatility, with feedstock-driven price surges in fatty-based chemicals, stable industrial chemical demand, and seasonal weaknesses weighing on surfactants and detergents.
Asia-Pacific
In Q4 2024, the Asia-Pacific chemical market exhibited a mix of price increases, declines, and stability across various commodities, influenced by factors such as supply chain disruptions, fluctuating feedstock costs, and shifting demand dynamics. The Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) market saw an initial price rise in October due to stable demand and firm feedstock costs, but a downturn followed as seasonal slowdowns and weak detergent sector consumption exerted pressure. Meanwhile, defoamer surfactant prices remained stable, supported by steady demand from wastewater treatment and industrial applications, despite port congestion in Southeast Asia.
Fatty-based chemicals experienced significant price volatility, largely driven by disruptions in the palm oil market. The fatty acid market, particularly in Indonesia, witnessed substantial price hikes due to supply constraints, strong demand from India’s personal care sector, and government policies affecting palm oil exports. Fatty alcohol prices in China followed a similar trend, surging in October and November but reversing sharply in December due to weak global demand, high inventories, and currency fluctuations. Ethoxylated Tridecyl Alcohol prices in India exhibited a volatile yet upward trajectory, as soaring palm oil costs overshadowed declining ethylene oxide prices. Meanwhile, fatty alcohol ethoxylates saw sharp increases in the first two months but plummeted in December, reflecting broader palm oil market instability.
The surfactant sector saw varied movements. The Asia-Pacific Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) market experienced a strong upward trend, driven by production disruptions caused by extreme weather and robust demand from the FMCG sector, especially in China. Alkyl Ether Sulfates (AES) prices also climbed 4% due to rising fatty alcohol costs and supply constraints from Malaysia’s palm oil production issues, despite some relief from lower freight rates.
Among industrial chemicals, the Soda Ash market faced price declines due to oversupply and weak demand from the glass and construction industries, with only slight stabilization by December. Sodium Percarbonate prices also fell, affected by reduced demand in detergents and cleaning products, as well as lower raw material costs in China. Ethylene Oxide prices in China rose early in the quarter due to increasing feedstock costs and strong demand but later stabilized as new production capacities eased supply concerns. The Butanediol (BDO) market saw initial price increases driven by strong demand from polyurethane and THF markets, but later softened due to seasonal slowdowns and increased production capacity.
Overall, Q4 2024 in the Asia-Pacific chemical market was characterized by palm oil-driven volatility in fatty-based chemicals, strong surfactant price trends due to supply constraints, and weak industrial chemical performance amid oversupply and demand fluctuations.
Europe
The European chemical market exhibited mixed price trends in Q4 2024, shaped by supply-demand imbalances, economic uncertainty, and logistical disruptions. Prices for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) declined by 11% due to weak demand and economic downturns, while Nonylphenol Ethoxylates faced volatility, ending the quarter lower amid sluggish demand and supply chain constraints. Ethylene Oxide (EO) and Butanediol (BDO) prices also fell in the latter half of the quarter, pressured by reduced industrial activity and economic uncertainty. In contrast, the Defoamer Surfactant market remained stable, supported by strong demand in water treatment and environmental sectors, while Sodium Percarbonate prices held firm due to balanced demand from cleaning products. Several chemical markets experienced price surges, including Fatty Acid, Fatty Alcohol, and their ethoxylates, driven by palm oil volatility, supply disruptions, and biodiesel policies in Southeast Asia. Soda Ash prices rose due to supply constraints, higher energy costs, and seasonal restocking. Additionally, the SLES and AES markets saw significant price increases due to supply shortages, port congestion, and rising raw material costs. Logistical challenges, including Hamburg port congestion and Indonesian palm oil policy shifts, were key market disruptors. As economic uncertainties persist, continued volatility is expected across several chemical markets in early 2025.
