For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Overall, the Acrylamide market in the North American region has observed a consistent bearish movement during the fourth quarter of 2022. As per the market experts, the US domestic market ends the year in a stronger downturn as the demand in the polymers sector has weakened amidst weak upstream cost pressure. The consistent hike in interest rates and rising inflation have enforced considerable uncertainties, which resulted in a drop in the PMI to the historical 31-month low in November 2022. Traditionally, the major consumer of US polymer supplies, China has struggled with the economic slowdown and COVID-related issues. As a ripple effect, the CFR USGC discussions for Acrylamide were assessed at USD 1367 per tonne during the quarter ending in December 2022.
Asia Pacific
The Acrylamide market in the Asia Pacific region has remained sluggish, and the trend traced a downward trajectory. This development is majorly attributed to inadequate demand that, further coupled with the increased supply and soaring price competitiveness amongst the major players in the regional market. The performance of the polymers market has remained subdued since the second half of 2022. At the same time, traditionally, during this period, the destocking practices in the far east Asian market, in response to the supply outlook, have improved significantly against the demand in the APAC region. As a ripple effect, the FOB Ningbo discussions for Acrylamide were assessed at USD 1180 per tonne during the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.
Europe
The Acrylamide market in the European markets has witnessed mixed sentiments during the fourth quarter of 2022. The market obtained a substantial gain in October, and the domestic outlook has sustained adequate recovery against the losses that occurred during the summer break. Although the gains were short-lived amidst the rising inflation and interest rates, consumer sentiments are more conservative than anticipated. In addition, the sanctions over the Russian energy supplies, coupled with the decision of the major manufacturers to reduce their operations at facilities and crackers to sustain the supply-demand outlook, have little to no impact across the value chain. As a ripple effect, the FD-Hamburg discussions for Acrylamide were assessed at USD 1398 per tonne in December 2022.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
Overall the Acrylamide market in the North American region prevailed over its earlier bearish sentiments. In the third quarter, the offers at the US spot markets eased by significant margins in the first two months, whereas in the final month, the prices witnessed a slight rebound. A major market source stated that the producers and downstream facilities have started restocking the inventories by the end of the second quarter to avoid any disruptions caused during hurricane season. Currently, the spread of the feedstock and Acrylamide (imported from overseas markets) is observing a negative trend. Thus, the CFR USGC discussion for Acrylamide assessed USD 2200 per tonne during the quarter ending September 2022.
Asia Pacific
During the quarter ending September 2022, the Acrylamide market in the Asia Pacific region witnessed mixed sentiments that vary across the sub-regions. In the northeast Asian region, the market has observed slight bullish sentiments due to the weakened performance of major economies, further coupled with COVID curbs and power rationing in China. Overall, these repercussions resulted in an increment of +5.03% in the offers throughout the quarter, and FOB Qingdao discussions for Acrylamide averaged USD 2675 per tonne in September. At the same time, the trend in the Southeast Asian region remained suppressed, besides bearish sentiments hovering over the spot markets for the majority period during the third quarter.
Europe
The Acrylamide market has remained weak across the European region. This trend in the domestic market was majorly attributed to the long summer holidays that dominated the market sentiments for most of the third quarter of 2022. During this term, suppliers and downstream producers are inclined to entertain long-term contractual inquiries, and the spot market remains muted. Although the market reopened in September with mixed expectations amongst the market participants, at the start of the month, the producers destock current inventories with minimal negotiation at the spot markets, and the pressure increased gradually among the market players.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
USA Acrylamide costs were stable throughout Q2 2022 due to the steady demand pattern amidst disrupted supply fundamentals. The supply of raw materials gradually eased in Q2 2022 as plant operating rates reached regularity. Buyers adopted stability in the market and witnessed indulging in finding approach and purchased cargoes only on a need basis to restrain the stress of piling inventories. Demand has reduced since April owing to the slowdown in market activities. Moreover, the high inflation rate diminished the Acrylamide export demand in June, ending the Quarter. Acrylamide prices showed a marginal month-on-month decline of 1% in the USA in June.
APAC
Acrylamide prices declined in India in Q2 2022 because of suspended manufacturing activities in APAC since Q1 of 2022 and diminished demand for the product in the Asian Countries. In addition, traders revealed the surplus of inventories due to crippled offtakes in the market that compelled them to adjust their offers to sustain the average margin. The hampered regional operational activities impacted market sentiments amid a rise in COVID 19 cases in various APAC countries. Moreover, the depreciation in the rupee against the US dollar amid the high inflation rate also affected the Acrylamide price in India. Acrylamide prices have shown declination throughout the second Quarter of 2022.
Europe
During the Second Quarter of 2022, the Acrylamide market in Europe showed a stable trend. Limited availability of Acrylamide coupled with normalized production rate in the regional market conclusively impacted the price trend of Acrylamide in Europe. Some factors backing the Acrylamide prices are a disruption in the supply chain due to ongoing geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine and depreciation of the European currency (Euro) against the US dollar amid high inflation rates. Moreover, the consistent onset of the European natural gas crisis compelled manufacturers to restrain their productions, which further tightened the market for Acrylamide during Q2 of 2022. The price of Acrylamide showed a stable trend in June with a marginal month-on-month decline of 1%.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
Acrylamide values in the USA showcased a stable trend throughout Q1 of 2022 due to the steady demand pattern amidst prevalent supply. The supply of raw materials gradually eased in Q1 2022 as plant operating rates reached normalcy. Buyers purchased cargoes only on a need basis to restrain the inventory pile. However, demand reduced since January owing to the slowdown in market activities. Acrylamide export demand also turned feeble due to high freight rates across several oceanic trade routes. In February, FOB Acrylamide prices were assessed at USD 5565 per MT FOB Louisiana in the USA.
Asia Pacific
Acrylamide prices rose because of suspended manufacturing activities in China in Q1 of 2022 and extended rise in energy values in Asian Countries. In addition, traders highlighted the unavailability of material that compelled them to adjust their offers to sustain their margin. Moreover, port congestions at container terminals such as Ningbo led to delay in supplies from China amid a resurgence of Covid 19. As Acrylamide is majorly consumed in wastewater treatment, Acrylamide prices in late- February witnessed a consistent rise in the demand for wastewater treatment chemicals in the regional market. Acrylamide price was assessed at USD 2730/MT FOB Ningbo in China during March.
Europe
Acrylamide market in Europe showcased a stable trend in Q1-2022. Limited availability of Acrylamide was witnessed due to which production rate was relatively normalized in the regional market of Europe. Some of the factors backing the abrupt rise in Acrylamide prices have been, disruption in the supply chain due to ongoing geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine and elevated freight charges across the US-Europe and Asia -Europe trade routes due to the shortages of containers. Moreover, in January, extended natural gas crisis in Europe compelled manufacturers to curtail their production which further tightened the market for Acrylamide during Q1 2022. The price of Acrylamide was assessed at USD 3230/MT FOB Hamburg in Germany in March.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
Acrylamide values in USA fluctuated in a narrow range in Q4 in lieu of the stable demand pattern amidst prevalent supply. Supply of raw materials gradually eased in Q4 as plant operating rates reached normalcy. Buyers adopted a wait and see approach and purchased cargoes only on need basis to restrain the inventory pile. Demand further loomed in December owing to the slowdown in market activities due to the holiday season. Acrylamide export demand also tuned feeble and easing freight cost further assisted in the fall in its prices. FOB Acrylamide prices were assessed at USD 5440 per MT in USA in December.
Asia
In Q4 2021, Acrylamide costs rose because of suspended manufacturing activities in China in Q3 and extended rise in energy values, putting an unsustainable burden on supplies to India. In addition, traders revealed about the unavailability of material that compelled them to adjust their offers, to sustain their margin. As Acrylamide is majorly consumed in clarification of wastewater, contrary to the demand pattern of other polymers, Acrylamide prices in late-December continued to gain following the consistent rise in the demand for wastewater treatment chemicals in the regional market. Acrylamide prices have surged by nearly 25% in India since early-November. Acrylamide prices are expected to continue tracing an upward curve as the demand for the product from water treatment segment in unlikely to slowdown in the near term.
Europe
Acrylamide market in Europe showcased mixed sentiments in Q4 2021. Availability of Acrylamide remained nearly same with respect to the previous quarter. However, high energy values continued to put forth an upward pressure upon its prices. As extended natural gas crisis in Europe forced players to curtail their productions which further tightened the market of Acrylamide during Q4. Demand for the product remained stable from majority of end use industries. There was nearly 3-4% fluctuation in its prices in Q4.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
During Q3 of 2021, hike in the values of Acrylamide was witnessed in North American owing to the rise in the prices of feedstock Acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile is a derivative of Propylene and Ammonia, surge in the prices of upstream soared the prices of Acrylonitrile that consequently fueled Acrylamide prices in Q3. In August, due to the arrival of the Ida hurricane in the Gulf Coast of the United States, several manufacturers imposed a turnaround at their production facilities as a part of the contingency plan. Cornerstone declared a shutdown at its Acrylonitrile production unit in Louisiana ahead of the Ida hurricane for around 10-14 days. Curtailment in the production activities along with the disruption in the supply chain resulted into the steep climb in the prices of Acrylamide in September. Moreover, steady demand from downstream sectors including oil and gas, water treatment and polymers along with its constrained availability also supported its price hike throughout the quarter.
Asia Pacific
In Q3 2021, rise in Acrylamide prices was observed in the region backed by the disruption in the supply chain of feedstock Acrylonitrile. India imports most of the Acrylonitrile from US and China thus severe climate calamity in the US as well as port congestion in China due to the shutdown of Ningbo Port for 2 weeks in August caused feedstock scarcity. It resulted into the proliferative trajectory of Acrylamide prices during the period. In addition, high freight charges and upbeat demand from downstream sectors exerted an additional burden on the Acrylamide market in the region. In India, Ex-Mumbai Acrylamide prices settled at USD 2541.19/MT in September, with an increment of USD 332.74/MT since July.
Europe
During the third quarter of 2021, Acrylamide market in Europe showcased mixed sentiments. In the first half, an improvement in the availability of Acrylamide was witnessed as the production rate was quite high but in the latter half there was an abrupt rise in the prices of Acrylamide. Some of the factors backing the abrupt rise in Acrylamide prices are disruption in the supply chain due to the arrival of Ida hurricane in the US and elevated freight charges across the US-Europe and Asia -Europe trade routes due to the shortages of containers. Moreover, since September the onset of natural gas crisis in Europe compelled manufacturers to curtail their productions which further tightened the market of Acrylamide during Q3 2021.
