For 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.
