For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
This quarter, the market trading fundamentals of Chloroform remain lackluster, with high product inventories compared with the previous quarter. Benchmark futures for Chloroform headed down with lower exports from the USA to Mexico and the Asian market. There was less spot cargo demand this quarter, and the manufacturer mainly executed the pre-contract orders. In terms of the feedstock market, Methanol also faced a Southward price trend with lackluster demand and feeble purchasing interest among the traders. In Jan 2023, the price of Chloroform in the USA declined to USD 570/ton FOB Texas. The Chloroform demand from the downstream refrigerant industry is also hampered by declining demand and production among the enterprises due to oversupplies.
Asia Pacific
The Chloroform market in the Asia Pacific region started on a weaker note due to adequate product inventories and lower product bidding from the regional and overseas suppliers. In China, the price of Chloroform during Jan slides to USD 397/ton FOB Qingdao. However, trading activities improved afterward amid demand exceeding supply. The supply of Chloroform among the enterprises declined with high Ex-quotation prices among the enterprises. Plant shutdown in the region resulted in low product supply, which affected the market fundamentals. As downstream demand warmed up, refrigerant prices rose with healthy market fundamentals. In March, refrigerant manufacturers replenished raw materials and supported more trichloromethane production.
Europe
The trading activities improved this quarter compared with the previous quarter in the wake of rising downstream refrigerant demand and an increase in spot purchasing dynamics. In Germany, the price of Chloroform during March surged to USD 950/ton FOB Hamburg. Spot price discussions remain bullish this quarter as spot buying interests remained healthy with low product inventories. Exports of Chloroform from Germany to the Netherlands and France improved with the revision in the price trend for the European suppliers. The demand for Chloroform from the downstream refrigerant industries improved with high trading fundamentals among the buyers. With the availability of cargoes for March delivery remaining tight in the European region, prices for Chloroform gained a firmer price stance.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
In Q4 2022, the price of Chloroform in the US surged in October due to an acceleration in trading market essentials, and higher offering of Chloroform in the overseas market increased the market futures. However, in the next two months, the price showcased a downward trajectory, and the purchasing among the companies was held on a need-to basis. The sentiments of Chloroform depend on the severity of the recession and its impact on demand. Exports of Chloroform from the United States to India and Canada plummet with sufficient supplies in the region. In Dec, the price of Chloroform in the USA declined to USD 594/ton FOB Texas.
Asia Pacific
At the end of this quarter, the Chloroform market in the Asia Pacific region showcased a declining price trend when compared with the previous quarter. The price trend of Chloroform showcased a downward trend with a weak Chlor alkali market and limited purchasing activity. Imports of Chloroform from China and the United States to India also slumped with revision in the price trend for the overseas suppliers. The end-user industries continuously stockpiled inventories of Chloroform, and weak demand in the domestic market resulted in a price slump. Imports of Chloroform from overseas markets decreased due to adequate supply and lower purchasing activity.
Europe
This quarter, the Chloroform market in Europe showcased an upward trajectory in Oct and Nov with a slight decline towards the end. Surging utility costs and increased demand from downstream enterprises further boost the market. In the context of a sharp rise in energy prices, the profit of various Chloroform producers was hampered by narrowing profit. Inventories of the product remained low at the ports, with revisions in the prices for the overseas suppliers. Exports of Chloroform from Germany to other European markets also surged in the wake of rising product demand and limited supply. In Germany, the price of Chloroform during October surged to USD 890/ton FOB Hamburg.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
The market fundamentals of Chloroform ended up on a mixed note in Q3 2022, where prices slipped in July as the Chlor alkali market fell with slower demand and tepid market fundamentals. However, in the next two months of Q3, the US carried an unconventional premium offer to North American markets as Chloroform markets remain inflated and have seen sharp upwards corrections. In September 2022, the price of Chloroform in the US slipped to USD 678/tonne FOB Texas. Fundamentals of the downstream derivative market of Chloroform in Europe remained strong. Trading market sentiments increased with brisk demand from refrigerant industry production cut among the plant.
Asia Pacific
In the Asia Pacific region, the price of Chloroform slipped in the first two months of the third quarter. Since the start of July, the domestic methane chloride production rate has increased slightly, and the supply has been under tremendous pressure. In terms of the upstream Methanol market, the prices were reduced further with weak purchasing and muted market fundamentals. Weak demand and ample supply dragged down the prices, prompted by peeked-out need and product saturation. In Sept, with the acceleration in Methanol prices, the Chloroform market gained a stance with recovering downstream ventures. In July, the cost of Chloroform was USD 489/ton FOB Qingdao.
Europe
Compared with the previous quarter, the price of Chloroform declined in Q3 2022 in Europe due to the region's deterred demand and oversupplies. The easing of supply chain curbs and further relaxation in cost inflation resulted in a southward trajectory of the product in Germany. Falling demand for raw material Chlorine and weak downstream solvent industries further degraded the price for the domestic market. This quarter's overall average utilization rates remain impacted, driven by sky-high electricity costs and globally weaker demand for chlorine derivatives. In Germany, the price of Chloroform during Aug declined to USD 853/ton FOB Hamburg. However, towards the end of the quarter, the prices elevated, prompted by recovering demand and oscillations in the Chlor Alkali market.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In this quarter, the cost of Chloroform slipped with succeeding months compared with the previous quarter. In June, the price of Chloroform was USD 709/ton FOB Los Angles in the USA. Eased back Petrochemical trading and high inventories among the significant ventures constrained the producers to give discounts to clear their current stocks. Hindered development and skeptical interest from downstream solvent enterprises decreased exports from the United States to South American and Asian suppliers. With the newly added Chloroform capacities in the region, the elevated prices slowed with low market sentiments. Low production costs and accelerating operating rates among the ventures kept the prices on the lower end.
Asia Pacific region
In Asia, the prices of Chloroform showed a mixed sentiment where prices slipped in April due to weak purchasing power and deterred demand, which muted the market fundamentals. In May, the prices surged due to forced Majeure at Westlake on Chlor alkali affecting the price trend. Oversupplies of Chloroform in the Chinese market forced the traders to reroute their cargoes to India due to healthy demand with revision in the price trend. Demand from the downstream solvent industry is firm on top of the increase in its utilization from end consumers. In June, the price of Chloroform in India slipped again with the cost of USD 545/ton Bulk Ex- Dahej.
Europe
In Q2 2022, the prices of Chloroform in April rose to USD 825/ton FOB Hamburg and surged to USD 827/ton FOB Hamburg in June. Chlor Alkali demand in the region increased this month with feedstock Chlorine, and the chlor Alkali market surged. Methane prices in the region remain trending this month with rising geopolitical disputes between Russia and Ukraine. Due to limited supply, downstream solvent industries operated cautiously according to the end user's needs. Tepid market purchasing and stably operating enterprises fluctuated the prices of the product. This month, exports from Germany and France to other European regions surged due to high purchasing rates and strong market sentiments.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
In USA, strong market and insufficient supply surged the prices of Chloroform throughout the quarter. The US Chloroform market soared where the price in the starting of the quarter were USD 720/ton Ex-Texas. Overall, consumption recorded an inclined curve and showcased high demand from downstream solvents and paper industries. In terms of value, the production cost expanded sharply in the first quarter due to unavailability of the product and fluctuations in the feedstock Methanol prices. Exports to Argentina and Mexico from US were also increased with robust transportation cost. Major producers of Chloroform had also increased the prices for the domestic as well as international market. Russia-Ukraine conflict had impacted the price of the product in the second half of the first quarter with supply constraints in the Asian market.
Asia Pacific
In the first quarter, Chinese Chlor alkali had shown growth with increase in demand of Chlorine, Soda Ash which drove the growth of Chloroform in the domestic market. Shanghai Chlor Alkali Chemical Co. Ltd had also showcased remarkable growth with increase in production cost of Chloroform due to raw material shortage. In China, the price of Chloroform towards the end of the quarter was observed to be USD 824/ton. However, in India the sentiments were high in the first half of the quarter and muted in the second half. In the month of January, the prices of Chloroform in India were USD 603/ton. Tight supply from United States and China hampered the import market of India. Inventories at Hyderabad and Dahej were heard to be low which accelerated the price.
Europe
In Q1 2022, the cost of Chloroform in the European market flooded all through the quarter because of market snugness with ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Upstream Natural Gas and Methanol costs remained flooded. The stockpile of Natural gas from Russia was disrupted due to which supply/demand gap surged and squeezing profit from the downstream ventures affected the market. Increased demand of Chloroform in construction and paper sector and growing use as solvent elevated the price. Exports of Chloroform from Germany to Netherlands and to other European locale were expanded and significant producers had increased the cost for overseas suppliers. In this quarter, the cost of Chloroform surged by 8% when compared with last quarter. In January, the price of Chloroform were observed to be USD 860/ton FOB Hamburg.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In US, the prices of Chloroform were surged in October with increase in Feedstock crude oil and Chlorine prices. The price towards the end of the month was observed to be $590/ton Ex-Texas. The export from US to Mexico and other Asian countries boosted due to increase in demand and bullish demand from downstream solvent industries. In November, the prices of Chloroform surged even more with insufficient stocks for the market that the demand for the new one was surged. Towards the end of the year, in the last week, the Chloroform market of US was lagged due to New Year holiday which trafficked the Petrochemical trading activities and the market was dull. In December, the prices of Chloroform were observed to be $690/ton Ex-Texas.
Asia Pacific
In Q4, the demand was strong in the first half and was dropped in the remaining half. In India, Chloroform prices fell in towards the ending with the price of $752/ton levels CFR JNPT. The market performance has been running since the start of the winter season and there are limited enquiries from R-22 manufacturing. Other key supporters of the fall in price trend are sharp falls in both key raw materials-Chlorine and Methanol due to ample supplies in the domestic markets. Fall in upstream energy rates have also supported the fall in market prices. In comparison with the previous quarters the prices were observed to be high and moderate demand from downstream enterprises. In China, the prices of Chloroform were maxed on 29-October where prices were hovering around $996/ton FOB Qingdao-$1006/ton FOB Qingdao with robust demand and towards the end of the quarter the prices dropped down to $590/ton FOB Qingdao.
Europe
In Europe, the prices of Chloroform were remained affected in Q4 due to shortage of raw material Chlorine. Chlorine accessibility in Europe stayed short because of relative decrease in Caustic Soda operating rates because of high energy cost and environment crisis affecting the production of Chloroform. The force majeure by Vinnolit at its Caustic Soda plant additionally tumbled the accessibility of its Chlorine in the primary portion of the quarter finishing December. Albeit the accessibility began levelling out by late-November with resumption in the plant exercises, but costs of Chloroform stayed high because of high energy costs. In Germany, the prices of Chloroform towards the year end was observed to be $870/ton FOB Hamburg.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
During Q3 of 2021, Chloroform market showcased mixed sentiments in North America. At the beginning of the quarter, Chloroform prices were sober due to the ample availability of the product while in the latter half, a modest rise was seen as the Ida hurricane disrupted the supply chain across the region. Additionally, a significant rise in the demand from the end user refrigerants and solvent segment coupled with the limited supply of feedstock Chlorine was witnessed that led to the increment in the prices of Chloroform in the US region.
Asia Pacific
In the Asia Pacific region, Chloroform market experienced an upward rally during Q3 of 2021 backed by the hike in the prices of feedstock Chlorine and Methane amidst the consistent demand from the end use industries. In India, in the beginning of the quarter, values of Chloroform skyrocketed reaching USD 555.69 per MT from USD 519.09/MT, showcasing the largest surge since the start of the year. An astonishing upward climb was majorly due the bullish realizations of Natural Gas under spate of production disruptions and surged freight charges along several trade routes connecting Asia. However, in September a slight drop in the values of Chloroform was with gradual ease in the trading activities.
Europe
In Europe, the overall price trend of Chloroform continued to stay strong due to the tight supplies as an impact of congestion on several ports in China during Q3 of 2021. Furthermore, surging prices of raw materials and expensive import rates due to the high freight charges as well as logistical issues led to the increment in the prices of Chloroform in Q3. However, demand from the downstream refrigerant segment remained muted amidst the upcoming low demand season.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
During the second quarter of 2021, the regional Chloroform supply remained tight due to extreme feedstock Chlorine shortage reported by the key regional producers. Downstream industries recovered over Q1 due to the restoration of the industrial infrastructure in the US Gulf coast after remaining largely disrupted due to winter storm in Q1. The resumption of several producing units meant better availability of upstream Methanol. Offtakes from the downstream industries surged amidst the peak demand season from the building and construction sector during the second quarter. FOB Texas Chloroform prices in June were assessed around USD 700 per tonne.
Asia Pacific
Chloroform pricing trend in the Southeast Asian region showcased mixed results despite sufficient inventories of upstream Methanol and Chlorine. In India, the market was weighed under slow offtakes due to reduced industrial consumption amidst the partial lockdown to contain the spread of second COVID wave in India. Furthermore, weaker Chlorine eased Chloroform prices in the domestic market. Ex-works prices in South India were assessed at USD 500 per tonne in June. While in China, supplies were curtailed as Jinmao Chemicals went for a turnaround in May end, whereas Dongyue Chemicals operated at 60% efficiency and Luxi chemicals operated at 90% efficiency in the same period. Pricing trend of Chloroform in the Chinese domestic market remained firm amidst peak refrigerant demand season.
Europe
The supplies of Chloroform in the European region improved as production rates of feedstock chemicals were ramped up. Furthermore, the import market outlook was supported with the better volume offtakes from the downstream refrigerant chemical industries. The overall price trend remained strong due to bolstered demand and strong international pricing. Offtakes from the UK construction sector were strong than anticipated. Due to better demand and stronger margins, price of Chloroform remained firm for a larger part of Q2 in Europe.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
The North American regional market was severely impacted during the first quarter of 2021, as the limited availability of the key feedstocks resulted in reduced production of Chloroform across the region. The industrial infrastructure in Texas and nearby Gulf region collapsed as it cannot sustain such low temperature amidst the region hit by the sub-zero temperature due to polar winter storm. Skyrocketing Methanol and Liquid Chlorine prices proportionally impacted the prices of Chloroform. Demand from the downstream refrigerant and pharmaceutical sector surged.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Chloroform market pricing trend in the Asia pacific region rose sharply, due to the tight supplies in the Northeast Asian region due to the decline in enterprise load and the low inventory levels. Moreover, the reduced throughput from the production unit amid the Chinese lunar New Year holidays also contributed to the supply crunch. Jinling plant in Shandong province in China announced 20 days planned turnaround in Mid-March. After the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays Chloroform prices rose sharply taking cues from the hiked prices of key feedstock Methanol and Liquid Chlorine amidst the surge in demand from the downstream refrigerant due to upcoming peak season.
Europe
During the first quarter of 2021, the European Chloroform market remained affected by curtailed supplies due to production disruptions in the Northwest European region. The shortage of key feedstocks occurred as a repercussion of transportation lag and reduced imports from the USA. Olin's plant in Stade, Germany was on a planned turnaround in H1 of the quarter, whereas INOVYN scheduled a planned turnaround in March. Demand outlook surged as the offtakes were ample from the different downstream segments.
For the Quarter Ending September 2020
Asia
Chloroform supply across Asia lengthened by the end of the Q3 as Chinese inventories took a higher side by the end of Q2, thereby affecting the producers to manage the production levels. Price discussions of Chloroform in Northeast Asia gradually picked up after observing prolonged stagnancy in the past few months. Supply seemed to cope with the market expectations across Asia. Sources mentioned that firming feedstock costs were supporting the price hikes and the trend would be traced by other producers in the coming months. Aligning with the regional trend, CFR India chloroform prices were assessed around USD 385 per ton levels in end-September.
Europe
Chloroform supply gained the lost uptrend in Q3 2020. Production margins improved as KEM ONE’s Methylene Chloride plant at Lavera, France restarted after maintenance turnaround in Q2. Demand for Chloroform as a solvent from the pharmaceutical industries took a bullish trend. Players remained anxious after the lockdowns in some European countries extended amid fears of second coronavirus wave.
