India’s Phenoxyethanol market remained bullish during the first half of May 2026 as rising feedstock costs, elevated energy prices, and currency depreciation increased overall production expenses and supported higher supplier quotations. Stronger prices for key raw materials such as Phenol and Ethylene Oxide significantly increased manufacturing costs, while higher crude oil and natural gas prices raised utility and transportation expenses across the supply chain. In addition, the depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the U.S. Dollar increased raw material import costs, further tightening producer margins and reinforcing bullish market sentiment. The firm market conditions in early May followed the upward trend observed throughout April, when stronger export offers from China increased import-parity pricing and seasonal buying activity supported demand. Consumption remained strongest in the personal-care, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors, where preservative demand stayed elevated due to summer product launches and excipient blending requirements. Looking ahead, Phenoxyethanol prices are expected to witness further increases in late May if feedstock costs, import-parity pressures, and logistics disruptions continue to persist.
