US Sodium Lignosulphonate Prices Largely Stable in December 2025

 On the supply, the availability of sodium lignosulphonate was still adequate during the month. The producers were still running their steady production, with sufficient inventory and stable output. But in terms of cost support from the feedstock side, it was still weak. Caustic soda (major feedstock) prices declined by 3.61% in December 2025, restricting increase of sodium lignosulphonate prices. In addition, arrivals to United States market from major European origin continued at well matchup prices which also helped steady US sodium lignosulphonate prices.

On the demand front, domestic consumption of sodium lignosulphonate from the construction sector had a somewhat volatile trend. Buyers were generally conservative in their purchasing; year-end period stocking activity was muted. Most downstream purchasers only bought what they needed, which prevented a price rally based on strong demand in the sodium lignosulphonate market.

Data from the US construction sector also came in weaker. U.S. homebuilder sentiment rose slightly in December but remained deeply negative near the end of 2025. This trend signalled continuing weakness in demand for sodium lignosulphonate downstream, as high construction cost, policy uncertainty and affordability issues remained key concerns. The National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index increased by one point in December of 2025 but remained below the neutral threshold of 50 in the final quarter, denoting that the large majority of builders continue to perceive market conditions.

Despite these challenges, some positive signals emerged during this period. Construction gained 28,000 jobs in November, Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed, with nonresidential specialty trade contractors leading the pack by adding 19,000 jobs. While construction employment had been relatively flat over the prior 12 months, this number suggested a modest downstream recovery. Demand and pricing for sodium lignosulphonate has been steady with little change.

There was firmness in the overseas demand for sodium lignosulphonate, with exports remaining to the MEA markets including Saudi Arabia, which also contributed to firmness meanwhile construction activities remained steady. Chem railcar loadings total 32,013 units for the week ending on 13th, holding mostly stable on a year-ago basis.

In the end, US sodium lignosulphonate prices for December 2025 had only advanced by 0.3% and this was confirmatory of the whole market sentiment.