For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Overall the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market in the North American region observed a considerable shift with constant uncertainties in the regional market during the fourth quarter of 2022. This development has primarily been attributed to the subdued demand from the downstream industries. Currently, the downstream refrigerant market went through a seasonal off-trend, and the discussions have remained suppressed at the spot market. Whereas offtakes from the EV manufacturing facilities have remained stagnant with a slight downshift. As a ripple effect, the CFR Houston discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were assessed at USD 2012 per tonne during December 2022.
Asia Pacific
The Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market in the Asia Pacific region has witnessed mixed sentiments in the fourth quarter of 2022. In the first half of the quarter, the offers have soared or improved based on the market dynamics of the subregions, even though the procurement practices were dropped by the start of the second half. This development has been majorly attributed to the slowdown of EV sales in China and the cautious approach by the downstream manufacturers. The procurement drive was higher during the first half till the sufficient inventory levels to sustain the production till the next upcoming quarters, which further coupled with the offseason trend of the refrigerant industry. Even though the cost support from the feedstock Fluorite and Sulphuric Acid was at higher levels, the manufacturers in China adjusted the operating rates at the manufacturing facilities to sustain the production netbacks. In response, the FOB-Shenzhen discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were assessed at USD 1802 per tonne in December 2022.
Europe
The European market showcased mixed sentiments for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid during the fourth quarter of 2022. This development has been majorly attributed to the rebound in the market activities post-summer holidays. Although, the supply outlook has been constrained after the majority of domestic players have reduced the rates to sustain the netbacks on the backdrop of high energy costs across the region. The inflation and hiked interest rates have severely impacted the cost of living, leading to a conservative buying streak amongst the consumer end. The looming demand outlook forced the market players to cautiously move ahead of new volume procurement in the second half of Q4 2022. As a ripple effect, the FD Genoa discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were assessed at USD 2143 per tonne during the quarter ending December 2022.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
In the third quarter of 2022, the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market in the North American region witnessed a slightly bullish sentiment. The consistent inquiries from the downstream industries kept the sentiments slightly upward as the offtakes from the EV battery manufacturing facilities were consistent as the uncertainties regarding the hurricane-related supply chain disruption clouded the minds of the downstream participants. In response, participants were more inclined to restore the inventories to secure the essential feedstocks against any troubles caused by the hurricane. At the same time, the financial results of a major manufacturer of Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid in Mexico reassured the market trend as the profits generated by sales of Hydrofluoric Acid were up by 9% on a year-on-year basis. As a ripple effect, the DDP USGC discussions for the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were settled at USD 2243 per tonne during the quarter ending September 2022.
Asia Pacific
Overall sentiments for the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid in the Asia Pacific region remained suppressed in the quarter ending September 2022. Several market experts initially expected that the market activities would rebound tremendously, but the inflation and uncertainties of the COVID curbs and the maintenance season limit the rebound. Whereas in the latter half of this quarter, power rationing in major provinces also impacted the overall development of the value chain. In addition, the demand remained lackluster due to the off-season of the refrigerant industry and modifications in the EV facilities in China. As a ripple effect, the FOB Shenzhen discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were assessed at USD 1510 per tonne in September 2022.
Europe
In the third quarter, the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market in the European region witnessed a consistent bearish sentiment. However, there has been a slight improvement in the last few weeks of this quarter. Market activities remained muted because the summer holidays in the Northwest European regions led to a significant dip in demand from the end-use sector, impacting the complete value chain. In response, the producers witnessed a considerable increase in contractual inquiries and curtailed the offers to compete in the overseas market. In September, the supply side saw significant pressure as the spot inquiries increased, besides delivering the contractual volumes. Thus, the FCA Antwerp discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid assessed at USD 2440 per tonne in September 2022.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In the second quarter of 2022, the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market in the North American region observed significant bullish sentiments. The retaliatory sanctions over Russia have curtailed several key upstream supplies of the new energy raw material, followed by the resurgence of COVID in China that worsened the situation. As a ripple effect, the overall supply outlook for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid pressurized amidst the limited imports of the raw materials. Whereas the demand remains buoyed in the domestic market, uplifting the sentiments of the domestic producers to raise the offered quotations in the domestic market. Therefore, the DDP USGC discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid averaged at USD 2134 per tonne during the quarter ending in June 2022.
Asia Pacific
Overall the market sentiments for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid in the Asia Pacific region were bullish for most of the term in the second quarter of 2022. The sudden surge in the inquiries for the upstream raw materials from the western nations has prevailed significant pressure on the availability of Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid in the Chinese domestic market. In contrast, the domestic demand in China remained subdued in the first half due to the COVID-related shutdown in the northeast region. The closure of automobile production during the shutdown has impacted the complete upstream value chain. Therefore, the market was majorly dependent on the export volumes, followed by the curtailed operational rates at several facilities to maintain subtle netbacks. As a ripple effect, the FOB Shenzhen discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid assessed at USD 1742 per tonne during the last week of June.
Europe
In the second quarter of 2022, the European market observed severe gyration in the macro-economical levels that kept the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market bullish in the Northwest European and Mediterranean region. The retaliatory sanction on Russia by the E.U. has curtailed the availability of the essential raw materials for E.V. battery manufacturing. The European players were hesitant to procure the Russian cargoes at the black sea. Therefore the market participants were keener toward the Asian suppliers for the raw materials, and the operational rates also dropped further amidst the higher energy cost. Thus, the FOB NW-Europe discussions for the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid settle at USD 2298 per tonne by the quarter ending.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
In the first quarter of 2021, the Hydrofluoric Acid in the North American region maintained a staggering upward trend. The downstream industries' demand remained balanced amidst the consistent inquiries from the E.V. battery industries, refrigerants, and Metals sector. In addition, the safety concerns in the San Luis Potosi, a feedstock fluorspar mine in Mexico, have imposed force majeure, leading to a reduction in the production and contracts to consumers. As a ripple effect, the FOB Gulf discussions observed a gain of 4.68% in the producer's quotations during the first quarter of 2022.
Asia Pacific
Overall, the market sentiments for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid in the Asia Pacific region remained suppressed throughout the quarter. This market development is primarily attributed to the restricted consumption from the downstream industries. Most downstream facilities were on a temporary turnaround ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in China, followed by slower operational rates due to the Winter Olympics. In addition, the resurgence of COVID in China further worsened the situation, and the demand was further suppressed. As a ripple effect, the FOB Shenzhen discussions for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid were settled at USD 1756 per tonne in March 2022.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2022, Europe's Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid market observed a significantupward trajectory. Several analyses showcased that Europe imported Hydrofluoric Acid and then exported it. The Suez Canal authorities doubled the taxes, leading to an additional cost to the quotation in the European market. In addition, the conflict that erupted in the eastern European region led to strong resistance from the European Union. The domestic players were reluctant to procure the Russian cargoes, effectively driving the producer's quotations upward.
