The Asian dioctyl phthalate (DOP) market demonstrated a modest decline by mid-September 2025, influenced by lower input costs, stable supply and weak demand from downstream consumption. While one of the key feedstocks demonstrated some weak recovery, the issues in the other feedstock continued to present price pressure overall. Supply was stable, but end-user demand, especially in construction and automotive sectors, did not demonstrate any improvement. Buyers were cautious about purchase patterns, buying for only essential needs. Despite being supported somewhat from the cost side, the market was mostly soft with few signs of recovery. Analysts expect the market to remain under pressure and not expect a near-term rebound.
The Asian dioctyl phthalate (DOP) market experienced a slight decrease by mid-September 2025, pulled down by lower raw material prices, constant supply and slower downstream demand. Although phthalic anhydride, one feedstock, did see a slight price increase, the negative influence of weakened isooctanol prices continued to restrict price movement for DOP.
As of September 18, raw material prices continued to show mixed results. Phthalic anhydride stopped falling after a brief decrease and saw a modest increase of 2.7% over September 8. Increases in the prices of OX and industrial naphthalene assisted with the increase along with a slight increase in plant operating rates to 63%. However, demand remained constant, so the impact of cost recovery on DOP pricing was limited.
In contrast, prices of isooctanol fell over the first half of September 2025. Operating rates at isooctanol facilities successfully stayed elevated, approximately 95–96%, and the addition of new capacity was beneficial in increasing supply for the market. Demand from plasticizer manufacturers was sustained but did not match the additional volume being produced in the market, leading to continued decreases in price.
On the supply front, DOP production was steady through September. Plant operating rates normalized provided sufficient availability in the market. Weekly production rates increased slightly over the weeks, although downstream demand remained indifferent to the changes in availability. Most buyers were still purchasing on a real necessity basis and limited transaction volumes continued to accompany purchases and need based procurement, negotiated quotes, and real deal prices remained weak in Canada's markets indicating no real market drivers were in play.
Downstream industries including the construction and automotive markets did not show much improvement, as end users remained hesitant to buy large amounts. The larger economic environment, further complicated by moderate competition and slow phase-out of old production capacities, was bad for general proclivity to buy in the market and in the region.
As per ChemAnalyst, an optimistic view of the rest of September as follows, Phthalic anhydride price rebounds should ease some of the push on DOP production costs, but with isooctanol prices continuing to descent and the demand slow for DOP in the market continued upwards pressure on pricing will likely be limited as well. The DOP market should remain pressured with strong supply and soft demand, continuing to bounce around possibly into the stabilization toward the end of the month.
In conclusion, while raw material cost trends appear to be moving apart with one stabilizing and one continuing to weaken generally, the entire DOP market remains risky.
