Alkyl Ether Sulfates (AES) prices in India were generally steady throughout the latter half of April 2025, buoyed by stable feedstock prices and balanced market situations. The supply chain was in balance as supportive feedstock trends guaranteed firm production, and demand indicators, though moderate, started to indicate early signs of a revival.

In terms of supply, AES production in India was stable, aided by uninterrupted availability of principal feedstock. A sharp rise in palm oil imports ensured constant supply of fatty alcohol, a crucial upstream component in AES manufacturing. With palm oil demand surging during the month driven by lower international prices and favourable import margins buyers continued to restock inventories. This resulted in a sufficient supply of fatty alcohols —enabling Indian producers of AES to operate at stable production levels without cost-side dislocation. With supply lines operating without significant constraints and no significant maintenance turnarounds registered, market availability kept pace with existing demand conditions.

On the demand side, purchasing activity remained modest, following supply closely. AES —widely utilized in the surfactant and detergent industry —was indirectly benefited by initial indications of recovery within India's consumer sector. While the detergent and personal care markets were not hit by a sharp surge, signals like a recovery in consumer confidence among urban buyers and modest retail movement indicated a gradual turnaround. Businesses such as Hindustan Unilever saw indications of accelerated demand momentum and forecast better consumption trends for the April–September period. However, world FMCG giants like Procter & Gamble regarded their global outlook downward because of international trade pressures, even as their Indian operations continued to stay on firm ground. These divergent indications ensured AES demand remained stable with room for future growth.

The overall performance of the Indian economy brought hopes of long-term AES demand. The manufacturing activity grew significantly in April, as it benefited from robust order flows and growing input purchases. Although this macroeconomic momentum is yet to feed through into higher AES procurement, it supports the thesis of slow and steady demand revival. With industrial confidence improving and consumption picking up, downstream customers in the surfactant and detergent chain could accelerate purchases in the months ahead.

In the near term, AES prices in India are likely to remain firm, as long as palm oil prices and fatty alcohol supply do not change. A steady improvement in consumer confidence and personal care demand may drive incremental demand in the months ahead. Nevertheless, global trade disruptions and volatile tariff policies could continue to dampen sentiment. Market players would tend to take a cautious stance, carefully observing domestic consumption patterns and input price trends before venturing into aggressive buying or price changes.