Phenoxyethanol prices in India moved higher in January 2026, supported by steady domestic output and firmer demand from cosmetics and hygiene formulators preparing for spring launches. Early-month restocking by personal-care manufacturers lent momentum to bids in Mumbai, while import-dependent availability kept arrivals tight and offers firmer. Western coast production and port operations remained fluid, enabling normal discharge and onward trucking with limited supply disruption. Paint producers kept baseline purchases ahead of the pre-monsoon cycle, leaving market dynamics driven mainly by selective replenishment from beauty and pharmaceutical users. Demand was uneven across end-users, with the beauty and personal-care segment the main driver as cosmetics formulators restocked for launches, sustaining spot inquiries and supplier premiums. Outlook remains mixed; near-term gains are anticipated through mid-2026, supported by festival-driven demand, while a monsoon-led slowdown could temper intake later in the first half. Domestic production held steady, buoyed by a growing beauty industry and ongoing import influence.
