In November 2025, Monoethanolamine (MEA Triazine) CFR-Houston prices in the U.S. dropped. Consistent supply was met with a weakening demand from the energy sector; this resulted in high levels of inventories and a weakened market sentiment despite production costs that were not prohibitive and imports that were stable.
MEA Triazine supply in the U.S. was stable through November 2025, based on steady U.S. production and good economics for feedstock. Despite the increase in MEA Triazine prices during the month, manufacturers benefited from previously purchased low priced stocks, which protected production margins from escalating costs.
MEA Triazine Imports from global suppliers, particularly Asian producers, continued smoothly, ensuring adequate availability. A significant 11% drop-in freight rates from China to Houston also trimmed landed costs and supply-side comfort was reinforced. However, logistical inefficiencies persisted, with transportation delays and tariff-related challenges lengthening lead times and complicating procurement cycles. These problems did not interfere with production levels but they did slow down the absorption of materials. As demand lagged, MEA Triazine supplies built up faster than they could be consumed, creating an overly supplied market environment which pulled prices down.
On the demand side, movements in petroleum inventories suggested a weakening market for MEA Triazine, a popular H2S scavenger for oil and gas production. Crude oil stocks increased by 0.574 million barrels for the week ended November 28, after a larger build of 2.774 million barrels the previous week, suggesting slowing refinery demand and less wellhead activity. Gasoline inventories rose by 4.52 million barrels, well above expectations, suggesting weak downstream demand and slowing refinery runs, leading to less MEA Triazine consumption in gas processing.
Distillate stocks declined 0.293 million barrels, compared to expectations for a rise, as robust diesel demand from the industrial, freight and heating markets supports the market. This did support midstream use of chemicals to some extent, but not in the sense of halting the general downward trend. In general, MEA Triazine demand was still trending neutral-to-weak, which confirmed the distortion of having too much supply and not enough demand.
Looking ahead, in the US, MEA Triazine prices are anticipated to stay under pressure due to a continuing oversupply situation and scant indications that demand from the energy sector may recover. The availability will still be guaranteed by steady domestic production and lower freight costs, but the procurement cycle may be prolonged by logistics inefficiencies and trade-related obstacles.
The demand outlook for MEA Triazine is tied to petroleum inventory adjustments as builds in crude and gasoline inventories will likely weigh on consumption in the short term. Although robust diesel demand provides some underpinning, it is not expected to be sufficient to bring about a substantial price recovery. Therefore, the MEA Triazine market will likely continue to be oversupplied and prices are anticipated to remain soft until/ unless the energy sector activity picks up and inventory unwinding takes place.
