In the U.S., Borax Pentahydrate prices tumbled down 1.9% in November as high inventories and weak regional demand offset steady domestic demand. The construction and personal care sectors provided stable consumption, while the subdued industrial activity and cautious buying kept the market sentiment under pressure.
Prices for US Borax Pentahydrate were 1.9% lower in November 2025 due to sustained pressure from regional demand weakness and high inventory levels. Even with stable operating conditions among domestic producers, supply continued to outpace consumption, and the market continued to be in a difficult situation.
Manufacturers of Borax Pentahydrate in the U.S. operated at a normal rate during the month, as production rose at the quickest pace since August amid a moderate increase in new orders. Finished goods inventories expanded at a record pace for a second consecutive month on softer-than-expected sales. Meanwhile, input cost inflation remained elevated amid tariff pressures, though raw material price pressure was minimal as producers drew down existing inventories rather than purchasing fresh volumes of upstream light soda ash.
Borax Pentahydrate demand conditions remained uneven. In construction, Borax Pentahydrate is extensively used in ceramics, fiberglass insulation, adhesives, and fire-retardant materials. Softer U.S. construction cost environment last November allowed projects to move forward without delays due to inflation, supporting steady consumption of borate additives. Increased activity in service RFPs pointed to progress in maintenance and retrofitting projects, reliant on borates for insulation and reinforcement. Yet, lower costs for steel pipes, turbines, and electrical equipment, along with lower subcontractor labor costs, suggested a slowdown in large-scale industrial builds. As a result, Borax Pentahydrate demand remained stable rather than expansionary, as contractors are cautious amid easing cost pressures.
In personal care, demand for Borax Pentahydrate remained firmly underpinned. The U.S. beauty market posted moderate growth across prestige and mass segments alike, with sales up 4% and 5%, respectively, through the first three quarters of 2025. Seasonal holiday demand further boosted procurements of the key active borate raw material feeding into creams, lotions, emulsions, and speciality cosmetics. Manufacturers prioritized taking enough stocks to satisfy high production schedules resulting in stable to firm demand.
Export demand gave mixed signals, due to improved external demand from mainland China following the late October trade truce with the U.S. Trade activity rebounded, helped by successful business development at November trade fairs. However, excluding China, Borax Pentahydrate exports shrank at a sharper pace compared to October, with new orders rising only marginally.
Overall, this mismatch in supply and demand is reflected by the 1.9% price decline that U.S. Borax Pentahydrate recorded for November. While there was some stabilization created by the demand from personal care and construction sectors, poor industrial activity and high inventories overall kept the market sentiment subdued.
