For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Cumene Price Index in APAC declined during the second quarter by 17%, despite intermittent gains during May and June. Prices settled at USD 910/MT CFR Shanghai by the end of June. The rise in prices during late Q2 was largely attributed to heightened freight rates and a seasonal demand push, but overall Q2 levels remained lower compared to the previous quarter amid persistent macroeconomic softness.
• Why did the price of Cumene change in July 2025 in China? In early July 2025, Cumene prices exhibited stability as traders awaited the outcome of China's anti-dumping duty review on acetone imports. Although freight costs remained high, subdued demand from phenol and acetone derivatives, coupled with sufficient domestic inventories, limited any immediate upside in prices.
• The Cumene Production Cost Trend remained under pressure in Q2 2025. Despite a rise in logistics costs—exacerbated by intra-Asia shipping tightness and port congestion—feedstock benzene prices trended weak, curbing significant cost-push inflation. Operational shutdowns at select phenol-acetone plants in Asia further influenced production planning and feedstock utilization rates.
• Cumene Demand Outlook was soft across the quarter. Key consuming sectors such as phenol, acetone, and downstream plastics witnessed reduced activity due to muted demand in the construction, automotive, and electronics industries.
• Export momentum of Cumene remained under stress, with trade flow volatility driven by elevated freight rates and shifting geopolitical factors.
• Domestic procurement in China was cautious and inventory-driven. Buyers opted for strategic stockpiling during favorable pricing windows in May and June but refrained from long-term commitments. Meanwhile, planned maintenance at phenol-acetone plants and subdued market confidence kept spot procurement moderate.
North America (USA)
• Cumene Price Index in North America declined by 8.1% on a quarterly basis, with minor fluctuations throughout Q2 2025. Prices were reported at around USD 935/MT FOB Louisiana by late June.
• While a marginal decline of 1.5% was observed in early May due to subdued downstream demand, prices rebounded by 3.3% in late June, reflecting moderate supply constraints and logistical disruptions caused by seasonal flooding and port congestion.
• Why did the price of Cumene change in July 2025 in the USA? In early July, Cumene prices held steady, supported by balanced domestic supply and ongoing soft demand from phenol and acetone derivatives. Despite stable feedstock benzene pricing, limited trading activity and cautious procurement practices in downstream sectors continued to weigh on sentiment.
• The Cumene Production Cost Trend in Q2 2025 was largely stable, despite underlying cost pressures from high energy prices and labor shortages. Soft feedstock benzene costs offered some relief. However, supply chain inefficiencies—particularly those linked to international trade and tariff uncertainties—created cautiousness in production planning. Shutdowns at phenol-acetone units along the Gulf Coast further influenced local cumene consumption levels.
• Cumene Demand Outlook in the U.S. remained weak across Q2. Major downstream sectors—including automotive, construction, and consumer goods—continued to face sluggish demand for phenol- and acetone-based derivatives.
• Export momentum of Cumene from the U.S. remained soft, impacted by regulatory barriers, trade uncertainties, and waning global demand for downstream chemicals. Although production capacity remained robust, lackluster export volumes and narrowed overseas opportunities kept pressure on suppliers.
• Domestic procurement in the USA was selective and volume-controlled. Manufacturers prioritized inventory optimization as inflationary pressures, energy costs, and tariff risks affected purchasing decisions.
Europe
• The Cumene Price Index in Europe increased by 17% on a quarterly basis. Cumene prices in the Netherlands hovered around 1315/MT FOB Rotterdam during the last week of June. The price firmed amid moderate downstream recovery, logistical disruptions, and cautious buying behavior, despite generally subdued demand from key sectors.
• Why did the price of Cumene change in July 2025 in Europe? The price of Cumene held steady in early July as manufacturers continued to align output with soft but stabilizing demand, particularly in downstream acetone and phenol applications. Ongoing trade tensions and elevated energy costs have added a degree of unpredictability, while longer port lead times and constrained logistics have kept buyers cautious.
• The Cumene Production Cost Trend in Q2 2025 reflected rising operational costs across Europe, primarily due to high energy prices and inflationary pressure. Feedstock costs for benzene and propylene showed minor fluctuations but remained manageable.
• Cumene Demand Outlook in the Netherlands stayed subdued throughout the quarter. Demand from phenol and acetone sectors—serving downstream applications like construction, automotive, and coatings—was flat, constrained by macroeconomic pressures and trade barriers.
• Export momentum of Cumene from the Netherlands faced headwinds during Q2, as global demand remained weak and restrictive U.S. chemical tariffs dampened traditional trade flows. Export competitiveness was further impacted by rising energy costs, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical instability in key regions.
• Domestic procurement in Europe was largely conservative, with buyers focusing on inventory control and margin preservation. Uncertainty over trade policy, combined with operational cost burdens, led to a restrained purchasing environment.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American Cumene market exhibited a volatile yet gradually stabilizing price trend, shaped by fluctuating feedstock costs, geopolitical shifts, and evolving downstream demand. Initially, prices remained relatively flat in January, reflecting subdued demand from major consuming sectors like chemicals, polymers, and solvents, along with stable domestic production.
The weak macroeconomic outlook, including contracting U.S. manufacturing activity and uncertain trade dynamics, further suppressed market momentum. However, a modest rebound in demand from downstream acetone and phenol producers by mid-quarter led to a mild uptick in Cumene pricing, supported by tightening stockpiles and improved supply-demand balance. Despite continued pressure from volatile crude oil and naphtha prices, cost relief from a mid-quarter drop in oil prices and strategic procurement behavior by buyers helped maintain price stability.
Toward March, market participants adopted a cautious “wait-and-see” approach as geopolitical tensions and tariff concerns—including a potential 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian imports—added complexity to market conditions. Overall, Q1 closed with Cumene prices slightly higher compared to the start of the year, driven by improved downstream demand, balanced inventories, and a more strategic trading environment.
APAC
In Q1 2025, Cumene prices in the Asia-Pacific region exhibited a stable yet cautious trend, with minimal fluctuations due to a combination of weak downstream demand and logistical challenges. Early in the quarter, the market continued to experience sluggish demand from key sectors like phenol, acetone, and solvents, leading to stable prices. Producers maintained this pricing stance to prevent further market slowdown amid a subdued economic environment. Increased shipping costs and logistical pressures, especially in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year, added strain on the supply chain, further complicating the price dynamics. By mid-quarter, while crude oil prices faced downward pressure, this had little impact on Cumene pricing, as domestic production in major markets like China remained steady, supported by stable inventories and manageable port operations. However, the demand outlook remained uncertain due to conflicting trends from downstream industries, with some sectors like isopropyl alcohol (IPA) showing strength, while others like phenol remained weak. Overall, the APAC Cumene market in Q1 2025 saw a balance of supply and demand, maintaining price stability despite ongoing external pressures.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European cumene market experienced a mixed but largely stable pricing trend, influenced by subdued demand and fluctuating production dynamics. Early in the quarter, cumene prices faced downward pressure due to weak demand from downstream sectors such as phenol, acetone, and solvents, coupled with sluggish manufacturing activity across Europe. The decline in crude oil and naphtha prices helped ease production costs, encouraging suppliers to maintain price stability despite reduced inquiry levels. However, by mid-quarter, cumene prices showed signs of recovery, driven by limited stockpiles, rising energy costs, and a marginal uptick in demand from recovering end-use industries. Supply-side pressures increased with a tightening benzene market in the Mediterranean and geopolitical uncertainties, while inflation and high energy prices in Western Europe further strained operating rates. Toward the end of the quarter, market sentiment in regions like Belgium remained steady, supported by balanced inventory levels and consistent demand from phenol and acetone manufacturers. Overall, Q1 saw a cautious yet resilient cumene market, where producers navigated volatile input costs and modest demand recovery with stable pricing and conservative inventory strategies.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American Cumene market experienced a continued downward trend in pricing. Throughout the quarter, the Cumene prices saw a decline in prices driven by broader market uncertainties, including fluctuations in key feedstock prices like naphtha, and concerns surrounding OPEC’s influence on global crude markets. The U.S. chemical industry also faced challenges due to an ongoing dock workers’ strike at Gulf and East Coast ports, which caused delays, supply chain strains, and higher shipping costs. These disruptions further contributed to rising prices, despite weak demand.
Throughout the quarter, U.S. Cumene prices remained subdued, as weak demand from downstream sectors like phenol, bisphenol, and solvents kept pressure on the market. Manufacturers refrained from increasing prices, opting for stable pricing to prevent further market downturns. Additionally, production costs were kept in check due to the consistent weakness in propylene prices.
By December, the market outlook remained bearish, as U.S. domestic production stayed robust but continued to be impacted by limited feedstock availability. The Q4 price trend was marked by persistent softness amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions and moderate demand.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the Cumene market in the APAC region saw a declining price trend, with significant price fluctuations influenced by supply and demand dynamics. Early in the quarter, prices experienced a downward trajectory, primarily driven by reduced feedstock costs, particularly propylene. Lower raw material prices, coupled with soft demand from downstream industries, especially in major markets like China and India, pressured the Cumene market. This period of decline continued through October and November as weak manufacturing activity in sectors such as phenol and bisphenol further suppressed demand.
However, by December, prices stabilized, supported by tighter supply conditions. Despite ongoing soft demand, limited availability of Cumene due to production cuts and lower inventories in key producing countries like South Korea and Japan created upward pressure on prices. Supply chain disruptions, particularly from port congestion and shipping delays, also contributed to the price rise in some areas.
Overall, the APAC Cumene market concluded Q4 with a bearish price outlook, though the demand remained moderate, reflecting broader economic uncertainties and slower industrial activity across the region.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the European Cumene market continued to face weak conditions, primarily driven by subdued demand from key downstream sectors such as phenol, bisphenol, and solvents. Producers and sellers refrained from increasing prices due to limited inquiries from end-use industries, opting to keep prices stable to avoid further market downturns. This cautious pricing strategy reflected ongoing efforts to balance supply and demand amid a challenging market environment.
The Eurozone’s manufacturing activity hit a nine-month low, with key indicators such as production output and new orders showing significant declines, particularly in petrochemicals and Cumene. Despite this, some countries like Spain saw modest improvements, but these were insufficient to offset the broader regional downturn.
Throughout Q4, Cumene prices in Europe, particularly in Belgium, remained under pressure from lower production costs driven by weak propylene prices. The demand outlook remained moderate, with a slow pace of recovery, as economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions added to the complexity of the market. As a result, the European Cumene market concluded Q4 2024 with stable but subdued pricing, reflecting ongoing weak demand and production cost stability.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Cumene market experienced a significant decline in prices, with the USA witnessing the most notable price changes. Various factors contributed to this downward trend, including fluctuations in naphtha prices, a key feedstock for cumene production, and uncertainties surrounding global economic conditions.
The region saw a 30% decrease in prices compared to the same quarter last year, with a -9% drop from the previous quarter in 2024. Market trends pointed towards a challenging landscape, characterized by weakening demand from key sectors and ongoing supply chain disruptions. The correlation between crude oil prices and Cumene pricing remained evident, further influencing market dynamics and contributing to the overall downward price trajectory.
Despite rising tensions in the Middle East and output cuts by OPEC and its allies, concerns over supply shortages have not greatly impacted the market. Companies needed strategic inventory management and production scheduling to navigate conditions. While the market trended toward stability, carriers had to manage rate adjustments to maintain profitability. Naphtha prices had also fallen to four-week lows, easing pressure on the cumene supply chain as lower crude prices and reduced petrochemical demand offered temporary relief to producers.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the APAC region saw mixed Cumene prices, with a notable -17% decrease from the same quarter last year. Effective inventory management and production scheduling were crucial for companies to successfully navigate the prevailing market conditions. Although the market was moving toward greater stability, carriers had to manage rate adjustments and market dynamics carefully to maintain profitability and high service quality. In early September, cumene prices in the Chinese market rose due to increased demand expectations and positive domestic naphtha price trends. Price negotiations remained high, with reports indicating steady increases throughout the day, driven by surging upstream oil prices. Additionally, strong demand from end-use manufacturing units, including styrene and other aromatics, further boosted cumene prices. On a broader economic scale, crude oil futures rebounded to early-week levels as weaker Chinese demand concerns were offset by stronger U.S. demand forecasts, supported by GDP estimates and consumer spending data. Prices rose during the afternoon session of Asian trading, fueled by anticipation of China's factory and services activity data release, which was expected to prompt calls for additional stimulus from Beijing. Port congestion in China eased, with Ningbo and Qingdao seeing reduced delays, though severe congestion in India and ongoing issues in Singapore continued to affect global trade flows.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Cumene pricing landscape in Europe witnessed a significant downturn, with prices experiencing a notable decline. This downward trend was predominantly influenced by a combination of factors such as decreased demand in key downstream industries, including polycarbonate, paints, and coatings, as well as the sluggish performance of sectors like agrochemicals and fuel and lubricants. These factors created a challenging market environment, forcing producers to cut production levels and grapple with substantial financial pressures. The correlation between naphtha prices, a critical raw material for Cumene production, and overall market costs played a pivotal role in driving prices lower. The strike by port workers at Bremerhaven and the Port of Hamburg disrupted operations for several days due to a dispute between workers' unions and the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) regarding collective wage bargaining negotiations. As these negotiations entered their third round, there was a potential for further industrial action by port workers to push for their demands, which could have affected the cumene supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the current price of Cumene in APAC?
By the end of Q2 2025, Cumene prices in China stood at approximately USD 910/MT CFR Shanghai.
2. What is the current price of Cumene in North America?
By the end of Q2 2025, Cumene prices in the USA stood at approximately USD 935/MT FOB Louisiana.
3. What is the current price of Cumene in Europe?
By the end of Q2 2025, Cumene prices in the Netherlands stood at approximately USD 1,290/MT FOB Rotterdam.
4. Why did Cumene prices change in July 2025?
• APAC: Prices remained stable in early July as traders awaited China’s anti-dumping duty review on acetone imports. Although freight costs stayed elevated, weak downstream demand and adequate inventory capped any major price increase.
• North America: Prices held steady due to balanced supply and muted demand from phenol and acetone sectors. Stable benzene costs and restrained trading activity kept pricing unchanged.
• Europe: Prices remained flat in early July as producers aligned output with modestly improving demand. However, elevated energy costs, port congestion, and trade-related uncertainties limited any significant price movement.
