For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the United States, the Colemanite Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increasing production costs.
• Colemanite production costs increased in Q3 2025 due to rising Henry Hub natural gas and US electricity prices.
• The Colemanite demand outlook was mixed, with strong retail sales (5.42% in September 2025) contrasting slow industrial production.
• Persistent inflation, with CPI at 3.0% in September 2025, raised operational costs for Colemanite-consuming industries.
• Producer input costs for manufacturers using Colemanite rose 2.6% in August 2025, as indicated by the PPI.
• US borate exports and imports strengthened in July 2025, reflecting robust global trade flows.
• Declining consumer confidence (94.2 in September 2025) and a 4.3% unemployment rate moderated overall consumer spending.
• Industrial production increased marginally by 0.1% in September 2025, limiting sector expansion.
Why did the price of Colemanite change in September 2025 in North America?
• Rising Henry Hub natural gas and US electricity prices increased Colemanite production costs.
• Persistent inflation (CPI 3.0% in September 2025) and higher PPI (2.6% in August 2025) impacted expenses.
• Mixed demand from strong retail sales (5.42% in September 2025) and slow industrial production (0.1%) influenced prices.
APAC
• In China, the Colemanite Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand and persistent oversupply.
• The Colemanite price outlook remains subdued, influenced by a contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025.
• Production costs for boron, a key input, remained stable through Q3 2025 due to manageable energy inputs.
• Overall domestic demand for Colemanite was soft in Q3 2025, despite retail sales increasing 3.0% YoY in September 2025.
• A -2.3% PPI YoY in September 2025 indicated falling factory gate prices, pressuring the Colemanite Price Index.
• Consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025 suggests reduced discretionary spending, impacting Colemanite demand in consumer goods.
• Landed inventories of boron in APAC increased in Q3 2025, contributing to structural oversupply in the market.
• The persistent downturn in China's property market in Q3 2025 weakened demand for Colemanite in construction materials.
• Borate imports into China increased month-on-month in September 2025, while exports decreased, affecting trade flows.
• Industrial production grew 6.5% YoY in September 2025, offering some counter-signal amidst broader demand weakness.
Why did the price of Colemanite change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Weak industrial demand, evidenced by a contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025, pressured Colemanite prices.
• A -2.3% PPI YoY in September 2025 indicated falling factory gate prices, leading to lower raw material costs.
• Structural oversupply in APAC boron markets and increased landed inventories in Q3 2025 contributed to price declines.
Europe
• In Germany, the Colemanite Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by contracting industrial production.
• Colemanite production costs faced upward pressure from high electricity prices in Germany throughout Q3 2025.
• The Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling reduced demand for Colemanite across industrial applications.
• Industrial production declined by 1.0% in September 2025, directly impacting overall Colemanite demand.
• Demand from the glass, ceramics, and agriculture sectors remained robust or saw moderate growth in Q3 2025.
• Producer prices decreased by 1.7% in September 2025, offering some cost relief to Colemanite-consuming industries.
• The Consumer Price Index increased by 2.4% in September 2025, dampening consumer purchasing power for end products.
• Retail sales rose modestly by 0.2% in September 2025, while unemployment remained stable at 6.3%.
Why did the price of Colemanite change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Industrial production declined by 1.0% in September 2025, reducing overall demand for Colemanite.
• The Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling broad weakness in industrial activity.
• High electricity costs in Germany throughout Q3 2025 pressured Colemanite production expenses.
