In September 2025, the US Tetradecane prices rose by 1.5% due to cautious restocking in industrial sectors and strong fourth quarter demand is anticipated. This came after a sharp price drop in August as a result of poor purchasing and bearish market sentiment.
The US Tetradecane market showed a modest upturn in September 2025, with prices increasing by 1.5% as industry returned hesitantly to restocking on the expectation of firmer demand. The slowdown in purchasing over the previous month, especially for automotive and coatings applications, had led to built-up inventories of Tetradecane.
Stock levels were adjusted by distributors with stable import volumes from Asia, which led to the stabilization of the price. However, the previously sluggish demand only partially cleared the excess stocks as purchasers were engaging in short-term buying to cope with Tetradecane supply situation.
Production of Tetradecane was steady, with no major disruptions. Falling crude oil prices lowered the manufacturing cost, but high freight charges and uncertainty in the overall oil market prevented major price rises. Also, the continuous transition to low-volatile organic compound (VOC) substitutes for Tetradecane in industrial uses limited demand, thereby curtailing price growth in September.
The demand for tetradecane was stable, owing to the application in automotive and paints & coatings industry. US automotive sales in September 2025 were reported at 1.23 million units, rising significantly compared to the previous year due to strong demand for battery electric vehicles on account of expiring federal tax credits. This upturn augmented Tetradecane usage in car production which led to the price upsurge.
The demand for Tetradecane in the paints & coatings industry was stable, owing to the use of aqueous systems. Good weather conditions helped with repainting on building and industrial work, and manufacturers were gearing up for fourth-quarter production, keeping Tetradecane application constant in solvent-based applications.
The Q4 2025 Tetradecane market is expected to show a stalemate. In October, an increase of 1% is expected, because of the potential restocking by paints and coatings manufacturers for meeting festive demands. Strong imports from Asia and Europe, without much oversupply, will support the slight increase.
In November, a 1.3% fall in prices is anticipated as the automotive sector’s pre-tariff purchases surge subsides, decreasing Tetradecane usage. Traders may focus on liquidating the existing inventories, dampening the price momentum. Global economic uncertainty could cause additional delays in the purchasing process.
During December, a 1.8% drop in price is expected. Growing penetration of low-VOC products in industrial paints and coatings would have a negative impact on the demand of Tetradecane while slowdown in construction would reduce the demand for paints application. A seasonal weakness in automotive lubricant demand will also weigh on Tetradecane prices, ending the quarter on a weaker note.
