For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Cellulose Ether Price Index rose by 1.33% quarter-over-quarter, supported by steady regional demand.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 3877.33/MT, reflecting steady supply and balanced demand.
• Balanced supply maintained a stable Cellulose Ether Spot Price despite mixed feedstock cost signals and logistics improvements.
• Forecasts reflect the Cellulose Ether Price Forecast, indicating modest volatility tied to winter energy and pulp markets.
• Producer margins were influenced by the Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend, including pulp, propylene oxide, and natural gas movements.
• Inventory dynamics and export restocking shaped the Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook across construction, pharmaceuticals, and food applications.
• Price Index readings showed sideways movement as operating rates remained steady and vendor delays moderated transport flows.
• Ports, rail recovery, and absence of weather outages supported steady output, keeping market equilibrium and limiting large price swings.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in December 2025 in North America?
• Stable feedstock contracts and eased caustic soda slightly reduced input cost pressures on producers in December.
• Improved rail service and normalized river levels restored logistics, preventing supply disruptions and cost spikes.
• Mixed construction demand and steady pharmaceutical buying balanced inventories, producing neutral net price movement in December.
APAC
• In China, the Cellulose Ether Price Index fell by 6.84% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand and oversupply.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 4207.33/MT, per FOB Qingdao.
• Weak Cellulose Ether Spot Price signals paralleled the Price Index slide, showing muted liquidity and competition.
• Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend eased as wood pulp and propylene oxide weaknesses reduced costs.
• Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook remains soft domestically, while Cellulose Ether Price Forecast shows limited upside.
• High port and producer inventories pressured offers, keeping the Price Index depressed despite operating rates.
• Export demand provided intermittent support as downstream restocking post-holidays offsets domestic weakness, limiting further downside.
• Logistics functioned adequately, reducing supply disruption risk while rallies depend on cost or demand shifts.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Elevated pulp and feedstock availability reduced conversion costs, enabling producers to lower spot offers thereby.
• High port and producer inventories limited urgency to restock, amplifying oversupply, pressuring the domestic Price Index.
• Weak construction activity and cautious downstream procurement curtailed demand, while export recovery remained insufficient overall.
Europe
• In Germany, the Cellulose Ether Price Index rose by 1.18% quarter-over-quarter, due to tighter supply.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 2970.00/MT, FOB Hamburg, observed
• Cellulose Ether Spot Price remained stable, keeping the regional Price Index anchored amid balanced supply
• Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend showed firmer wood pulp, flat propylene oxide, adding cost pressure
• Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook is weak for construction, balanced by food, pharmaceutical, and export buying
• Cellulose Ether Price Forecast indicates short-term firmness ahead of normalization as inventories and supply adjust
• Inventory dynamics and export flows influenced the Cellulose Ether Price Index, with restocking supporting offers
• Producers ran near nameplate capacity maintenance, and seller discipline tightened availability, affecting the Cellulose Ether Spot Price
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Producer-led tightened availability and selective maintenance reduced merchant availability, prompting upward pressure on December prices
• Stable wood pulp and propylene oxide costs prevented a margin squeeze, and logistics remained smooth, limiting escalation
• Weak construction demand constrained broader upside, while food, pharmaceutical, and export orders provided selective support
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Cellulose Ether Price Index fell by 0.36% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 3826.33/MT on FOB Texas.
• Cellulose Ether Spot Price remained range-bound while the Price Index signalled sideways momentum amid supply.
• Cellulose Ether Price Forecast indicates volatility near-term, with seasonal hurricane risks influencing Q4 supplier behaviour.
• Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend showed upward pressure from pulp and logistics, tightening supplier margins.
• Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook remains subdued as construction and coatings drawdowns persist, limiting procurement activity.
• Cellulose Ether Price Index stability reflected inventory liquidation and moderate exports to Mexico, supporting equilibrium.
• Cellulose Ether suppliers kept offers stable, limiting discounts; expectations of seasonal restocking tighten spot liquidity.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in September 2025 in North America?
• Persistent weak construction demand reduced offtake, causing downstream buyers to draw inventories instead of procurement.
• Adequate domestic supply and steady plant run rates prevented shortages, sustaining price stability during September.
• Higher pulp and logistics costs pressured production economics, but limited buyer aggression constrained pass-through increases.
APAC
• In China, the Cellulose Ether Price Index rose by 0.39% quarter-over-quarter, due to tighter inventories.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 4516.33/MT on FOB Qingdao.
• Cellulose Ether Spot Price remained range-bound amid balanced supply and muted downstream buying across markets.
• Cellulose Ether Price Forecast indicates downside risk early Q4, linked to inventory and export weakness.
• Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend rose as refined cotton and energy costs increased manufacturing expenses.
• Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook muted due to weak construction and coatings activity, constraining domestic offtake.
• Rising domestic production pressured the Cellulose Ether Price Index, prolonging bearish sentiment across regional market.
• High port inventories and monsoon-related logistics delays reduced export demand, slowing destocking, limiting price recovery.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Persistent oversupply from uninterrupted domestic production increased inventories, exerting downward pressure on prices in September.
• Rising refined cotton and energy costs supported producer quotations but limited pass-through due to weak buying.
• Monsoon-related logistical delays and port congestion disrupted exports, reducing external demand and prolonging domestic inventory digestion.
Europe
• In Germany, the Cellulose Ether Price Index fell by 0.63% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued construction demand.
• The average Cellulose Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 2935.33/MT and supported destocking.
• Curtailed run rates and balanced supply kept the Cellulose Ether Spot Price steady during quarter.
• Temporary pulpwood price reductions eased the Cellulose Ether Production Cost Trend, offsetting input cost increases.
• The Cellulose Ether Demand Outlook stayed weak as residential construction contracted, limiting paints coatings offtake.
• Cellulose Ether Price Forecast suggests range-bound pricing while buyers defer purchases amid distributor inventory reductions.
• High inventories and weak export demand pressured the Cellulose Ether Price Index, keeping prices muted.
• Producers operated at curtailed run rates, conserving supply and supporting Cellulose Ether Price Index stability.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Subdued construction demand reduced offtake, leaving suppliers to clear inventories at marginally lower offers.
• Feedstock pulpwood cost declines eased production cost pressures, offsetting higher propylene oxide energy inputs.
• Port congestion and export arbitrage weakness limited external demand, reinforcing range-bound domestic pricing.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Cellulose Ether spot price in North America declined by 0.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a mostly stable Price Index.
• Low demand conditions from the primary construction sector continued to remain the prime factor for the downward pull on the prices.
• Suppliers were reported to have been moving backlogged inventories at stable and non-negotiable prices leading to a stable pricing Index
• Structural demand remained weak with procurements activities being largely as per need basis post global tariff fallout
• Export demand to the primary importing Mexican and Canadian markets remained largely low during the reviewed quarter.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in July 2025 in the US?
• In July 2025, the Price Index of Cellulose Ether was reported to increased have as logistical disruptions due to the official start of the North Atlantic Hurricane season led to higher transportation cost.
• While structural demand from the primary construction was reported to have been sluggish, many suppliers were reported to have been acquiring stocks in order to avoid further potential disruptions
• Producers were reported to have kept run rates curtailed to lengthen the market situation which led to slight shortfall in supply during early July
• Suppliers reported lower inventory stocks in warehouses and were mostly offering higher prices on a non-negotiable basis.
Europe
• The Cellulose Ether spot price in Europe declined by 4.97% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a softer Price Index.
• Low demand conditions from the primary construction sector continued to remain the prime factor for the downward pull on the prices
• Export demand and conditions remained sluggish amidst the Euro appreciation, congestions witnessed across the Northwest European ports which continued to impart a bearish pressure on the prices
• Despite producers have been heard maintaining curtailed run rates in order to lengthen the market situation, suppliers were heard moving backlogged inventories at lower prices which maintained the bearish conditions persistent in the market.
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in July 2025 across Europe?
• In July 2025, the Price Index of Cellulose Ether was reported to slightly increased as typical maintenance season across Europe lead to lower run rates being witnessed in the market
• Higher energy costs across European market led to some producers to pass on these cost burdens to downstream customers
• Trading activity in the beginning of July 2025 was reported to have increased as some suppliers were heard trying to procure inventories for July 2025 deliveries
APAC
• Cellulose Ether spot prices in the APAC region declined by 2.9% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as reflected in a softer Price Index.
• Subdued demand conditions from the prolonged downturn in the construction sector continued to impart a bearish pressure on the overall prices
• Export conditions remained unfavorable and amidst high port congestion and the fall pout of tariffs which led delayed departures of inventory leading to accumulation of inventories at the ports and thus importing bearish pressure on the export prices.
• Midway into the quarter some producers were heard actively lowering quotations which in order to stimulate buying activity which resulted in a bearish pricing pressure in the market
Why did the price of Cellulose Ether change in July 2025 across APAC?
• In July 2025, the Price Index of Cellulose Ether was reported to have increased as buying activity improved in July 2025 as customers sought to build warehouse stocks which led to an upward pull in the prices
• Buying activity across the APAC region improved as the post half -year financial audits in China left with suppliers to secure inventories for the upcoming quarter
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The US Cellulose Ether market experienced a modest decline of 1.7% during the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to sluggish demand and market uncertainty. In January, chemical shipments and railcar loadings rose slightly, improving supply flow. However, concerns over potential port strikes and unfavorable weather led to higher operational costs. Despite steady export activity, the coatings sector remained weak, limiting any substantial upward price movement.
In February, supply levels varied—some suppliers held sufficient inventories while others faced shortages. Prices saw a slight increase due to firm export demand and improved inventory circulation, especially in the Texas region. Although feedstock costs eased slightly, downstream demand showed only moderate recovery. The construction sector exhibited slow but positive signs, with a marginal rise in housing activity and spending helping to stabilize market sentiment.
March saw feedstock prices decline, easing production costs. However, suppliers maintained firm pricing strategies, supported by fixed contracts and ample warehouse stocks. Weather-related logistical disruptions eased, improving transport conditions. Despite improved supply flow, demand remained subdued as construction activity weakened further. Builder confidence dropped, reflecting caution over borrowing costs and inflation, contributing to a pessimistic market outlook for Cellulose Ether.
Europe
The European Cellulose Ether market saw a sharp price decline of approximately 18% during Q1 2025 due to ample supplies and low production costs. Despite some curtailments, inventories remained high, with suppliers unable to pass on rising feedstock costs due to market oversupply. Export bottlenecks, especially at major German ports like Hamburg, exacerbated the situation, with high berth utilization rates delaying shipments and sustaining the bearish sentiment. Demand from the coating and construction sectors remained sluggish due to seasonal slowdowns and broader economic challenges. Housing activity experienced the sharpest decline, with new orders continuing to fall, marking over thirty consecutive months of contraction. Commercial and civil engineering segments also recorded soft demand. Energy costs spiked in January, but even with stable feedstock pricing, suppliers were reluctant to reduce prices, relying instead on previous inventory levels to meet demand amidst limited new production. By March, bearish conditions persisted as suppliers attempted to liquidate inventories via bulk shipments and discounts. Arbitrate closures, Red Sea security issues, and European trade disruptions hindered exports, leading to stock accumulation. Weak demand from the construction sector, driven by high borrowing costs and few new tenders, reinforced the subdued market outlook.
APAC
The APAC Cellulose Ether market faced predominantly bearish conditions in Q1 2025, with prices declining by approximately 6.5%. Initially, prices rose by around 4% in January due to increased production costs and low inventories. However, this was short-lived as demand remained weak, particularly from the real estate sector, and overall market sentiment remained cautious. Limited supply, caused by ongoing maintenance turnarounds and slow plant restarts, kept inventories tight early in the quarter. Despite these constraints, Chinese suppliers held stocks from January, preventing significant price gains in February even as feedstock Propylene Oxide prices fell by 1.9%. Export activity was also hindered by heavy port congestion in East China, further limiting market movement. Although the Chinese government introduced economic stimulus measures, their benefits had yet to reflect in real demand during February, as Construction PMI declined. By March, a recovery in production and stable logistics improved availability and accelerated inventory liquidation, pushing prices further down. However, demand began to improve with the Construction PMI rising to 52.7 in February, signaling a modest recovery post-Lunar New Year and potential stabilization in major urban property markets heading into spring.
