Triethanolamine (TEA) prices were unchanged in the North American market in mid-April 2025, while Asian prices trended down. The mixed price trends in the two regions were mainly due to unlike regional feedstock ethylene oxide costs and evolving downstream demand dynamics.

In the United States, TEA prices remained stable despite declining upstream ethylene oxide values. Market sources indicated that a recent decline in U.S. ethylene prices has moderated production costs for ethylene oxide, a principal raw material used in TEA production. However, this moderation in input costs did not find expression in lower TEA prices since producers chose to keep margins steady in the face of ongoing uncertainties regarding logistics, tariffs, and general inflationary pressures.

Reinforcing this conservative tone was the latest financial report from Kimberly-Clark. The consumer products behemoth trimmed its yearly profit estimate because of USD 300 million in estimated expenses related to U.S. tariffs and inefficiencies in the supply chain. This has raised the alarm among TEA consumers in the personal care and industries, although consistent domestic production helped reduce short-term price fluctuations. Kimberly-Clark observed that more than 90% of its products are manufactured in North America, curbing the impact of import costs.

Conversely, the Asian TEA market experienced an obvious bearish trend this week. Prices eased in major markets, especially China and Southeast Asia, due to weak demand and slow industrial activity. While Northeast Asian ethylene oxide prices were steady, Southeast Asia decreased weekly. The import costs of Southeast Asia ethylene dropped due to poor buying interest.

Asian market players pointed to a lack of intense debate and growing caution throughout the industry. An industry official said that regional ethylene markets are in the midst of a period of dormancy, as players vigilantly tracked price moves in upstream feedstocks. Downstream demand for products such as TEA has also been light, particularly in China, where economic strains retarded industrial activity and consumer outlays.

In addition, recurring maintenance shutdowns at major ethylene production plants in Asia. Shutdown by PTTGC in Thailand and Lotte Chemical in South Korea, have not constricted supply sufficiently to offset the decline in demand, sustaining the downtrend in TEA.

In the coming weeks, industry participants in the two regions are likely to exercise a wait-and-see mode. North American purchasers are awaiting developments in the unfolding tariff and inflation situation, whereas Asian suppliers are likely to trim operations and stocks depending upon recovery in downstream demand and the availability of feedstock.

As per ChemAnalyst, the North American TEA market is stable on the strength of cost relief and moderate sentiment, while the Asian market is under pressure from declining demand and weakening feedstock trends in certain markets. Players in both regions are waiting for greater clarity as the second quarter develops.