For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
•The North American Antifoam Price Index remained stable to slightly firm through Q4 2025, reflecting balanced supply-demand conditions across key end-use industries.
•Spot market activity was muted, with most buyers relying on term contracts; spot prices showed limited volatility.
•Production costs inched higher due to elevated labor and utility expenses, but stable silicone and mineral oil feedstocks restricted cost pass-through.
Why did the price of Antifoam change in December 2025 in North America?
•In December 2025, prices largely held steady as modest year-end restocking by food processing and wastewater operators offset seasonal slowdowns in construction-related coatings. Adequate inventories prevented any sharp increase despite higher utilities.
•The near-term Antifoam Price Forecast points to a range-bound trend in early 2026, barring unexpected energy or logistics disruptions.
•Demand stayed healthy but measured, led by food & beverage processing, pulp & paper, and municipal wastewater treatment; coatings demand remained seasonally soft.
APAC
• In China, the Antifoam Price Index rose by 2.31% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting firmer feedstock costs and stronger export inquiries.
• The average Antifoam price for the quarter was approximately USD 1473.33/MT, supported by disciplined supplier inventory management.
• Antifoam Spot Price movements tightened as smaller blenders paused production, reducing available immediate cargoes for buyers.
• Antifoam Price Forecast remains mildly bullish near term, driven by steady exports and controlled domestic operating rates.
• Antifoam Production Cost Trend shows modest upward pressure from PDMS feedstock and higher winter electricity tariffs squeezing margins.
• Antifoam Demand Outlook stays constructive as export restocking and food processing seasonality support steady offtake.
• Antifoam Price Index firmness reflected lower inventories at compliant producers and minor port congestion delaying shipments.
• Producers maintained disciplined runs and prioritized higher-margin food-grade cargoes, sustaining market balance and limiting volatility.
Why did the price of Antifoam change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Temporary environmental audits and small-formulator shutdowns reduced immediate supply, tightening the market ahead of year-end.
• Stable but elevated PDMS feedstock plus higher electricity tariffs increased production costs, constraining discounting flexibility.
Europe
•The European Antifoam Price Index showed a stable to mildly bearish trend during Q4 2025, reflecting subdued industrial activity and sufficient supplier inventories.
•The Antifoam Production Cost Trend remained mixed—energy costs stayed elevated in parts of Europe, but stable silicone intermediates and mineral oil feedstocks limited overall cost escalation.
Why prices of Antifoam changed in December 2025 in Europe?
• In December 2025, Antifoam prices edged marginally lower as year-end destocking by coatings, construction chemicals, and paper producers outweighed steady demand from food processing and wastewater treatment sectors.
• Antifoam Spot Prices softened slightly toward the end of the quarter due to lower spot inquiries and buyers postponing purchases into early 2026.
• The Antifoam Price Forecast for early 2026 indicates a range-bound to mildly weak outlook, unless energy prices spike or supply disruptions occur.
• The Antifoam Demand Outlook remained uneven: food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and wastewater applications were stable, while paper, coatings, and construction-related demand softened due to economic uncertainty.
• Healthy export enquiries from India, Indonesia and US absorbed inventories while minor port congestion delayed shipments.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the Antifoam Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by escalating production costs.
• Antifoam production costs increased due to a 2.6% year-over-year rise in PPI in August 2025, impacting manufacturers.
• US base oil prices strengthened and methanol prices surged in Q3 2025, elevating Antifoam feedstock expenses.
• A 3.0% year-over-year CPI increase in September 2025 raised raw material and energy costs for Antifoam.
• Antifoam demand was subdued by a marginal 0.1% year-over-year industrial production increase in September 2025.
• Robust 5.42% year-over-year retail sales growth in September 2025 supported Antifoam demand in consumer goods.
• Domestic base oil inventories tightened in Q3 2025, contributing to supply constraints for Antifoam feedstocks.
• The US water and wastewater treatment market experienced growth in 2025, boosting Antifoam demand.
Why did the price of Antifoam change in September 2025 in North America?
• In September 2025, Antifoam prices in North America saw mild downward pressure primarily due to softening downstream consumption, as overall demand slipped by 0.1%.
• End-use industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, water treatment, and lubricants operated with lean procurement strategies, drawing from existing inventories instead of placing fresh bulk orders.
Europe
• In Germany, the Antifoam Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting industrial activity.
• Antifoam production costs faced upward pressure from a 2.4% CPI increase in September 2025 and strengthened energy costs.
• Demand for Antifoam weakened as Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, reflecting reduced industrial output.
• Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, directly impacting Antifoam consumption across various sectors.
• The Antifoam demand outlook remains subdued due to softened chemical product demand in July 2025.
• Producer prices for industrial products decreased 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025, partly due to lower energy prices.
• Retail sales rose 0.2% in September 2025, offering marginal support for Antifoam demand in consumer goods.
• The unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3% in September 2025, indicating a subdued economic environment.
• Antifoam price forecast suggests stability to slight decline, given weak demand and mixed production cost pressures.
Why did the price of Antifoam change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, reducing overall demand for Antifoam.
• Producer prices for industrial products decreased 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025.
• The Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% in September 2025, indicating rising input costs.
APAC
• In China, the Antifoam Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to weak industrial demand and declining feedstock costs.
• Antifoam production costs decreased in Q3 2025, driven by a sharp decline in silicon metal feedstock costs.
• Industrial production increased 6.5% year-over-year in September 2025, providing some support for Antifoam demand.
• However, the Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating a slowdown in overall manufacturing activity.
• Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at 89.6 in September 2025, dampening Antifoam demand in consumer-facing applications.
• Retail sales rose 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, supporting Antifoam demand in consumer goods manufacturing.
• The broader chemical industry faced persistent overcapacity in Q3 2025, pressuring Antifoam prices downward.
• Antifoam price forecast suggests continued pressure from weak industrial pricing power and ample market supply.
Why did the price of Antifoam change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Producer Price Index declined 2.3% year-over-year in September 2025, signaling weak industrial demand.
• Silicon metal upstream costs sharply declined in Q3 2025, reducing Antifoam production expenses.
• The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced overall industrial activity.
