U.S. LAB detergent-grade Prices eased 0.5% in mid-November because of stable feedstock prices and steady production to meet reserve and export purchases cautiously. Inertness from port bottlenecks, weather-related concerns, and tight customer spending limited buys to pressurize prices slightly.
Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) detergent-grade prices in the United States fell by 0.5% during the week of 16 November, with a market characterized by stable product production economics as well as tempered purchase appetite. The descent can be attributed to a market environment that otherwise presented balanced elements pertaining to feedstocks, production, and trade.
On the cost side, LAB manufacturers had no pressing concerns. Prices for benzene feeds were steady, and this protected production margins along the LAB chain. Supplies of refinery-based reformate did not diminish as Gulf Coast gasoline production eased seasonally following a holiday driving period, allowing for continuous coproduction of benzene. Additionally, steam crackers operated at normal rates due to attractive ethane margins, and this guaranteed stable production of coproduct benzene. No unscheduled unit shutdowns were reported for major aromatic plants along the Gulf Coast in the Louisiana and Texas regions, and this helped keep benzene streams comfortable with no cost-related pressures on LAB prices.
Production and inventory-wise, the alkylation units in the Louisiana/Texas region showed steady operating levels throughout the month. There were no reported issues or changes in throughput volumes, and the terminal inventories of LAB remained close to seasonal levels, which meant that there were neither tightness issues nor buildups in inventory. This steady operations scenario encouraged the suppliers to behave competitively, making them resistant to price cuts for LAB.
However, logistical issues affect the LAB market sentiment. US port backlogs, due to several holidays and adverse weather conditions, have been experienced in the US, thereby hindering the movement of shipments and, in the process, undermining the urge to make purchases in the downstream market of LAB.
The demand side saw domestic consumption remain fairly steady for LAB. The laundry detergent and cleaners industry returned to normal buying activities following the year-end holidays, influenced by institutional demand for cleanliness, as well as the services sector. Nevertheless, purchasing in the first week of the year reflected little activity regarding pre-spring stockpiling for the market. Personal care products and the cosmetics industry reported strong consumption for the month of December 2025, influenced by record online holiday sales that topped USD 257.8 billion, a 34% increase in the sales of upscale personal care products.
However, overall retail data indicated weakness in consumer sentiment because of persistent prices. As per recent market news, overall retail sales revenue was flat for food, consumer packaged goods, and discretionary goods in the five weeks through 3 January 2026, whereas revenue and sales volume were down on a year-over-year basis. Discretionary merchandise sales were down 2% in revenue and 5% in sales volume, indicating weak consumer enthusiasm.
On the export side, contract inquiries of LAB from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Canada remained the norm, but weather problems in the North Atlantic continued to cause delayed shipments and discouraged aggressive restocking.
With no big festivals around the corner and a constant rate of production, market players feel that LAB prices may soften in the coming weeks.
