For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Azelaic Acid Prices in North America
- In United States, the Azelaic Acid Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by elevated feedstock costs.
- The Azelaic Acid Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0%.
- Consumer Price Index inflation reached 3.3% in March 2026, elevating energy-intensive ozonolysis costs for production.
- The Azelaic Acid Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026 as retail sales grew 4.0%, supporting skincare.
- Stable 4.3% unemployment and a 91.8 consumer confidence index in March 2026 supported azelaic acid cosmetics.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% and the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting industrial azelaic acid.
- Oleic acid feedstock costs strengthened in February 2026 due to maritime logistical challenges and tightened supply.
- Despite consumer strength, industrial demand for azelaic acid applications remained weak throughout the Q1 2026 period.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Forecast trended higher in March 2026 following increased import replacement costs.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in March 2026 in North America?
- Oleic acid feedstock costs strengthened significantly in February 2026 due to severe maritime logistical disruptions.
- The Producer Price Index rose 4.0% in March 2026, directly increasing chemical manufacturing operational expenses.
- United States oleic acid import replacement costs from Southeast Asia increased steadily during February 2026.
Azelaic Acid Prices in APAC
- In China, the Azelaic Acid Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by elevated feedstock costs.
- The Azelaic Acid Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the PPI rose by 0.5%.
- The industrial Azelaic Acid Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026, supported by 5.7% industrial production growth.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, driving industrial applications and supporting the Azelaic Acid Price Index.
- A mild 1.0% CPI increase in March 2026 supported steady downstream cosmetics consumption for Azelaic Acid.
- Sluggish 1.7% retail sales and a 5.4% unemployment rate in March 2026 dampened premium cosmetic demand.
- A low 91.6 consumer confidence index in February 2026 further restricted consumer-facing Azelaic Acid applications.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Forecast stabilized in March 2026 following supplier export tax hikes on palm oil.
- Pre-holiday restocking activities depleted regional chemical inventories in January 2026, tightening domestic Azelaic Acid supply availability.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Palm oil feedstock costs faced upward pressure due to export tax hikes in March 2026.
- Domestic chemical supply tightened as producers reduced operating rates in January 2026 before lunar holidays.
- Industrial value added accelerated in Jan-Feb 2026, driving demand for industrial chemical applications and products.
Azelaic Acid Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Azelaic Acid Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- During March 2026, inflation reached 2.7%, while energy prices spiked, increasing the Azelaic Acid Production Cost Trend.
- Despite producer prices declining 0.2% in March 2026, palm oil and rapeseed oil feedstock costs surged.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, as automotive polyamide consumption strengthened during January 2026.
- Stagnant industrial production at 0.0% in February 2026 aligned with weakened industrial lubricant consumption in Q1 2026.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% in February 2026, supporting strengthened cosmetics sector demand during January 2026.
- While unemployment remained stable at 4.2% in February 2026, consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026.
- German import volumes of rapeseed oil surged in January 2026, though European inventories tightened in Q1 2026.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Forecast indicated upward pressure, while the Azelaic Acid Demand Outlook remained mixed throughout Q1 2026.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Primary feedstock costs, including palm oil and rapeseed oil, surged significantly upward through March 2026.
- Broader energy product prices spiked during March 2026, elevating the energy-intensive ozonolysis process manufacturing costs.
- Regional availability of essential oleochemicals tightened throughout Q1 2026 amid robust procurement from competing sectors.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Azelaic Acid Prices in North America
- In United States, the Azelaic Acid Price Index rose in Q4 2025, driven by increasing production costs and robust industrial demand.
- Azelaic Acid production costs increased as US oleic acid import prices moved upward in December 2025.
- Natural gas spot prices strengthened in late 2025, with a polar vortex causing a temporary spike in November and December.
- Overall inflation, with CPI up 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, elevated Azelaic Acid raw material and labor costs.
- Industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, supporting Azelaic Acid demand.
- Retail sales increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, boosting Azelaic Acid demand in personal care.
- US manufacturers' inventories slightly increased in October 2025; chemical exports and imports decreased.
- Hybrid vehicle sales surged in Q4 2025, positively influencing Azelaic Acid demand in automotive sectors.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in December 2025 in North America?
- Azelaic Acid production costs rose due to upward US oleic acid import prices in December 2025.
- General inflation, with CPI up 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, increased raw material and operational expenses.
- Stronger demand from industrial sectors, with industrial production up 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, supported prices.
Azelaic Acid Prices in APAC
- In China, the Azelaic Acid Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by deflationary producer prices in December 2025.
- Azelaic Acid production costs faced upward pressure from accelerating input cost inflation in December 2025.
- Demand for Azelaic Acid in pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors strengthened during Q4 2025.
- The Azelaic Acid demand outlook was mixed, with robust industrial production (5.2%) in December 2025.
- China's Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, supporting industrial chemical demand.
- Chinese manufacturers exhibited caution with inventory holdings and stagnated raw material purchasing in December 2025.
- Global observed oil inventories rose to four-year highs in October 2025, easing crude prices in November 2025.
- Weak consumer demand, reflected by a 0.8% CPI and 0.9% retail sales in December 2025, subdued end-use demand.
- Azelaic Acid prices were assessed at USD 8950 /MT in Q4.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in December 2025 in APAC?
- The Producer Price Index declined by -1.9% in December 2025, reflecting deflationary pressures on industrial goods.
- Weak consumer spending, indicated by 0.8% CPI and 0.9% retail sales in December 2025, subdued end-use demand.
- Manufacturers maintained cautious inventory levels and stagnated raw material purchasing in December 2025.
Azelaic Acid Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Azelaic Acid Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity.
- Azelaic Acid production costs declined in December 2025, as the Producer Price Index decreased by -2.5% year-on-year.
- Demand for Azelaic Acid faced headwinds in December 2025 due to a contracting Manufacturing Index.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Forecast indicates continued pressure from weak industrial demand in early 2026.
- European Oleic Acid production costs reversed earlier declines in Q3 2025, introducing cost pressure for Azelaic Acid.
- Consumer confidence was strongly bearish at -17.5 in December 2025, dampening Azelaic Acid demand in personal care.
- Industrial production increased by 0.8% year-on-year in October 2025, offering mild support for industrial Azelaic Acid applications.
- Retail sales grew by 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025, providing modest support for consumer-facing Azelaic Acid products.
- High unemployment at 6.2% in December 2025 further affected consumer spending and Azelaic Acid demand.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer Price Index decreased by -2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reducing Azelaic Acid production costs.
- A contracting Manufacturing Index in December 2025 signaled weaker industrial demand for Azelaic Acid.
- Strongly bearish consumer confidence at -17.5 in December 2025 reduced discretionary spending on Azelaic Acid end-products.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Azelaic Acid Prices in North America
- In United States, the Azelaic Acid Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to softened oleic acid feedstock costs.
- Azelaic Acid production costs faced upward pressure from a 2.6% PPI increase in August 2025, despite softening oleic acid.
- Demand for Azelaic Acid in personal care strengthened in Q3 2025, supported by 5.42% retail sales growth in September.
- Industrial demand for Azelaic Acid remained weak in Q3 2025, reflecting 0.1% year-over-year industrial production stagnation.
- Consumer spending on non-essentials was challenged by a 3.0% CPI year-over-year in September 2025 and declining confidence.
- Manufacturing inventories continued to shrink in Q3 2025, with oleic acid imports tempering broader sector buying.
- Natural gas prices saw an overall uptick in Q3 2025, impacting production costs, though easing in September.
- The Beauty/Personal Care sector experienced accelerated sales growth in Q3 2025, boosting Azelaic Acid demand.
- Azelaic Acid price trends are expected to remain sensitive to feedstock costs and varied end-use sector performance.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in September 2025 in North America?
- Oleic acid feedstock costs softened in Q3 2025.
- Retail sales grew 5.42% in September 2025, boosting personal care demand.
- Industrial production stagnated at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025.
Azelaic Acid Price in APAC
- In China, the Azelaic Acid Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by declining producer prices.
- Azelaic Acid production costs rose in Q3 2025 due to increasing oleic acid feedstock prices through September.
- Demand for Azelaic Acid was mixed, with a contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 impacting industrial consumption.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Index faced downward pressure from -2.3% PPI and -0.3% CPI declines in September 2025.
- Cosmetics market recovery in Q3 2025 supported Azelaic Acid demand, despite consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025.
- Elevated market inventories in China contributed to dampened prices for some plastics in Q3 2025.
- Industrial production expanded by 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, offering some underlying demand support.
- Retail sales increased 3.0% and unemployment was 5.2% in September 2025, supporting overall consumer spending.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Declining PPI of -2.3% and CPI of -0.3% in September 2025 indicated weak demand.
- Rising oleic acid feedstock prices through September 2025 increased Azelaic Acid production costs.
- A contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 suggested reduced industrial activity.
Azelaic Acid Price in Europe
- In Germany, the Azelaic Acid Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by elevated production costs.
- Azelaic Acid production costs strengthened in Q3 2025, influenced by rising oleic acid feedstock and elevated energy prices.
- Demand for Azelaic Acid in cosmetics and bio-based lubricants strengthened in Q3 2025, reflecting consumer and regulatory trends.
- Germany's Manufacturing Index was contracting in Q3 2025, indicating a slowdown in industrial demand for Azelaic Acid.
- Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-over-year in September 2025, impacting Azelaic Acid consumption in industrial applications.
- Retail sales increased by 0.2% year-over-year in September 2025, providing some support for Azelaic Acid demand in consumer goods.
- Tight inventory strategies and low capacity utilization affected Azelaic Acid supply dynamics in Germany during Q3 2025.
- The Azelaic Acid Price Forecast indicates continued upward pressure from feedstock and energy costs, despite mixed demand signals.
Why did the price of Azelaic Acid change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Azelaic Acid production costs rose due to strengthened oleic acid feedstock and elevated natural gas prices in Q3 2025.
- The Consumer Price Index increased by 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, contributing to higher operational expenses.
- Producer prices for industrial products decreased by 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025, partially offsetting cost pressures.
