In May 2025, Sodium Hypochlorite prices in China and Germany both indicated a clear upward trends, driven by strong seasonal demand and increases in raw material prices. The increase was driven by the start of warmer temperatures, increased disinfecting requirements, and increased prices of liquid chlorine, an important raw material. Although caustic soda prices weakened over the same period, their weakening was not enough to counteract the overall production cost rise.

Sodium Hypochlorite demand in China spiked as cities transitioned to late spring and early summer, a season when water treatment activities peak. Municipalities increased disinfection activity in drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, and swimming pool upkeep propelled added consumption. Meanwhile, the use of household disinfectants continued to be high due to ongoing public hygiene concerns after the pandemic. Industrial applications such as pulp and paper and textiles also began to see a modest rebound, helping to maintain sodium hypochlorite demand.

The inauguration on May 14 of Iraq's biggest chlorine and caustic soda factory, with production capacity including 150 tons of sodium hypochlorite a day, contributed to future regional competition. Yet, during May, Chinese exports remained strong, particularly to emerging markets.

Sodium hypochlorite prices in Germany increased on the strength of higher seasonal demand and transportation disruptions. Mild weather brought seasonal spikes in pool sanitation and municipal water treatment. The industrial usage of sodium hypochlorite in food processing, textiles, and paper production industries lent additional support. Concurrently, Europe witnessed port congestion, especially in northern ports of Bremerhaven and Hamburg, owing to labor shortages and Rhine River water level lows. Such problems increased the cost of logistics, which correspondingly reflected in higher product prices for customers.

On the supply side, prices for liquid chlorine rose in both nations because of constrictive supply and higher usage throughout the chlor-alkali chain. Whereas prices for caustic soda fell—dropping in China during the last week of May—this did not materially alleviate producer expenses since prices for chlorine played a more dominant role.

In addition, Chinese environmental regulations made smaller, non-compliant producers slash output, putting more pressure on supply. Port congestion, particularly after China's Golden Week holiday and a 24-hour May 11 strike, interrupted shipping streams and contributed to delivery delays.

Sodium hypochlorite prices are likely to keep increasing through June on the back of agricultural demand, robust sanitation requirements, and tight chlorine prices, particularly as the European market approaches peak summer demand. Decreasing caustic soda prices and improving port congestion, however, could temper the velocity of sodium hypochlorite price rises through the latter part of the summer. The direction thereafter would be based on raw material price movements, global shipping stability, and the velocity of sodium hypochlorite demand normalization from peak season.