In the week of May 30, 2025, the global Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) market presented a mixed pricing outlook for LABSA, influenced by feedstock dynamics by region, supply and demand balances, and downstream demand from detergent and surfactant applications.

In India, prices for LABSA remained stable, despite feedstock Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB) values falling 1.5%. Prices were held in check by weak upstream support due to falling naphtha and benzene prices, and subsequently improved regional supply of LAB, after plants were restarted. Demand has improved with strong demand from the surfactant/detergent sector, but buyers were cautious and expected prices to fall further. IOCL recently increased its production of LAB and helped improve domestic supply levels that were reliant on imports, adding further stability to prices.

Likewise, LABSA prices in China remained stable over the week. Feedstock LAB prices held firm, and the regional market remained balanced in terms of supply and demand. Continuous demand from surfactants, explained as enough quantity available, rested at stable levels, keeping prices in alignment due to demand. Market participants proactively traded cautiously and consistently, keeping the market stable.

The LABSA market in South Korea also remained stable. Feedstock LAB prices remained unchanged, and producers reported they had enough raw material to meet the demand of stable surfactant and detergent manufacturers. As the fundamentals of the market were balanced, prices were static, as well as sentiment.

In contrast, LABSA prices in the United States increased 2.2% during the same period. This increase in prices was supported by an increase in feedstock LAB prices of 2.2% and robust demand from the detergent and cleaning products industries. Firm demand was supported by tighter supply due to logistical issues that exacerbated bullish sentiment and increased prices.

Conversely, Saudi Arabia has experienced a decline of 2.1% in LABSA prices. While LAB costs remained stable, weak domestic demand and excess supply from international suppliers led to a surplus. This led to competition and a high level of inventories, which forced traders to lower prices to increase sales, resulting in bearishness.

In Germany, LABSA prices were unchanged, with LAB feedstock prices increasing by 2.9%. There remains a strong buying interest from detergent manufacturers, and the availability of LAB was tight in the region. The good inventory levels and ongoing hand-to-mouth buying by end-users prevented any price movement. The market was stable with measured optimism.

Overall, the LABSA market during the week of May 30 was regionally divergent—from bullish momentum upward in the U.S., to bearish corrections downward in Saudi Arabia, making for a complicated market structure with elements of international trade and demand-supply responses on a local level.