For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In North America, the Cyclopentane Price Index declined quarter-over-quarter, reflecting steady domestic supply and cautious buying from downstream users.
• High operating rates at Gulf Coast and Midwestern plants maintained supply, keeping Cyclopentane Spot Prices under pressure despite periodic demand spikes.
• The Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend remained largely stable as cyclohexane and energy costs eased slightly, providing limited upward support for prices.
• The Cyclopentane Demand Outlook was moderate; refrigerator and insulation manufacturers continued routine procurement, but cautious buying and delayed large-volume restocking limited price gains.
• The Cyclopentane Price Forecast indicates limited upside in the near term, with potential slight rebounds if export demand from Latin America strengthens.
• Ample port and domestic inventories weighed on the Cyclopentane Price Index, while transportation disruptions from winter storms temporarily slowed distribution.
• Export activity to Latin America and Asia provided partial support, but overall market pressure kept price movements modest.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in December 2025 in North America?
• High domestic operating rates and abundant supply created a surplus, pushing the Cyclopentane Price Index lower.
• Stable cyclohexane feedstock costs prevented production cost-driven price increases.
• Seasonal softness in appliance and insulation demand, combined with delayed export shipments, reduced offtake, and maintained downward price pressure.
APAC
• In China, the Cyclopentane Price Index fell by 4.26% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting abundant domestic supply conditions.
• The average Cyclopentane price for the quarter was approximately USD 1491.67/MT on FOB Shanghai basis.
• Strong operating rates kept Cyclopentane Spot Price pressured despite downstream cautious procurement and export competition.
• Cyclopentane Price Forecast indicates modest downside near-term given ample inventories and muted appliance sector demand.
• Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend remained stable as cyclohexane feedstock costs eased, limiting upward price pressure.
• Cyclopentane Demand Outlook stays weak with refrigerator manufacturers trimming runs and buyers postponing bulk purchases.
• Rising inventories and export lifts depressed the Cyclopentane Price Index, prompting exporters to undercut offers.
• Improved container availability supported shipments, yet inland trucking constraints moderated domestic distribution and spot availability.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in December 2025 in APAC?
• High plant operating rates increased domestic supply, creating surplus cargoes and pressuring FOB offers further downward.
• Stable cyclohexane feedstock costs limited production cost inflation, reducing the incentive for producers to raise asking prices.
• Weak domestic appliance demand and delayed export lifts reduced offtake, keeping Cyclopentane Spot Price under pressure.
Europe
• In Europe, the Cyclopentane Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter, reflecting ample regional supply and cautious downstream buying.
• High operating rates in European plants and steady imports from Asia maintained a well-supplied market, keeping Cyclopentane Spot Prices under pressure.
• The Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend remained stable, as feedstock cyclohexane costs softened slightly, limiting cost-driven upward movements.
• The Cyclopentane Demand Outlook stayed subdued due to slowdowns in the refrigerator and insulation manufacturing sectors and deferred bulk purchasing from downstream users.
• The Cyclopentane Price Forecast suggests sideways to slightly downward movement near-term, with limited upside amid adequate inventory levels and muted export demand.
• Rising inventories at major European ports, coupled with competitive Asian imports, weighed on the Cyclopentane Price Index, prompting suppliers to adjust offers downward.
• Logistical constraints, including winter weather delays in Northern Europe, slightly affected distribution but did not alleviate overall price pressure.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Strong plant operating rates and ample regional supply created surplus material, putting downward pressure on the Cyclopentane Price Index.
• Cyclohexane feedstock prices remained steady, limiting cost-driven price support.
• Weak seasonal demand from appliance and insulation sectors, along with slower export liftings, curtailed offtake, and sustained lower spot prices.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• The Cyclopentane Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3, reflecting weak demand and steady supply.
• Demand from refrigeration systems, polyurethane foam insulation, and chemical solvent applications remained soft across key U.S. markets.
• The Cyclopentane Price Forecast suggests limited upside in Q4 amid cautious downstream restocking and muted construction activity.
• Stable crude oil and naphtha prices moderated the Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend, helping producers maintain margin stability.
• The n-Propanol Demand Outlook remained conservative, indirectly affecting solvent blending and intermediate consumption trends.
• Weekly movements in the Price Index were neutral to soft, supported by balanced supply and consistent plant operations.
• High inventories and limited export pull weighed on domestic offers, keeping the market soft throughout the quarter.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in September 2025 in North America?
• Prices decreased due to low offtake from insulation and appliance manufacturers, despite expectations of seasonal demand recovery.
• Stable feedstock costs and uninterrupted production maintained supply, limiting upward price momentum.
• Sufficient spot availability and cautious procurement behavior kept sellers from raising offers, sustaining a soft market tone.
APAC
• In China, the Cyclopentane Price Index fell by 7.0% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting oversupply and muted downstream demand.
• The average Cyclopentane price for the quarter was approximately USD 1558/MT, reflecting mixed regional demand and oversupply dynamics.
• Cyclopentane Spot Price trended lower amid port congestion and ample inventories, sustaining a soft Price Index narrative.
• Cyclopentane Price Forecast remains within narrow ranges as current supply-demand dynamics in APAC indicate balanced market conditions.
• Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend shows limited pressure, as upstream benzene and energy costs stay comparatively stable.
• Cyclopentane Demand Outlook highlights steady refrigeration and insulation sectors, though overall domestic demand softened modestly so far.
• Cyclopentane Price Index remains at range-bound levels, reflecting balanced supply chains and modest import activity in practice.
• Logistics and port delays continue to influence shipments; however, domestic supply remains sufficiently stocked to prevent acute spikes these days.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in September 2025 in APAC?
• September price movements reflected improved domestic supply conditions and steady regional demand amid seasonal insulation activity.
• Logistics bottlenecks at major ports tempered outbound shipments, contributing to inventory buildup and price stabilization.
• Lower upstream benzene costs and balanced production rates limited upward pressure on Cyclopentane prices in September.
Europe
• The Cyclopentane Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3, reflecting bearish sentiment across insulation and refrigeration sectors.
• Weak demand from polyurethane foam insulation, refrigeration systems, and chemical solvent applications kept market fundamentals subdued.
• The Cyclopentane Price Forecast suggests limited upside in Q4 amid cautious restocking and muted construction activity.
• Stable naphtha and crude oil prices moderated the Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend, helping producers maintain margin stability.
• The n-Propanol Demand Outlook remained conservative, indirectly affecting solvent blending and chemical intermediate consumption trends.
• Weekly movements in the Price Index were neutral to soft, supported by balanced supply and consistent plant operations.
• High inventories and limited export pull weighed on domestic offers, keeping the market soft throughout the quarter.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Prices decreased due to low offtake from insulation and appliance manufacturers, despite expectations of seasonal demand recovery.
• Stable feedstock costs and uninterrupted production maintained supply, limiting upward price momentum.
• Sufficient spot availability and cautious procurement behavior kept sellers from raising offers, sustaining a soft market tone.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Cyclopentane spot market in North America remained largely stable throughout Q2 2025, underpinned by a balanced supply-demand dynamic and limited volatility in feedstock pricing.
• Feedstock trends, including fluctuations in benzene and crude oil costs, influenced production economics during the early to mid-quarter period but did not lead to significant price disruptions.
• Trade-related factors, notably tariffs and regulatory measures affecting imports—particularly from Canada and other feeder markets—introduced procurement challenges, prompting a shift toward regional sourcing strategies.
• As the summer season advanced, demand from core end-use sectors such as industrial refrigeration and insulation materials strengthened, leading to increased purchasing activity in the foam-blowing and cooling segments.
• Logistical challenges, including port congestion and limited capacity along the Gulf and East Coasts, created operational bottlenecks. However, these constraints were managed without causing severe supply imbalances.
• Meanwhile, environmental policy drivers—notably revisions to the U.S. Clean Air Act and ongoing implementation of Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment commitments—continued to support structural demand for Cyclopentane as a low GWP alternative to traditional blowing agents.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane evolve in North America in Q2 2025?
• Feedstock dynamics initially lowered production cost pressures, but later in the quarter, tightening of imports due to tariffs and trade frictions reduced external supply, nudging procurement dynamics.
• Seasonally strong demand from refrigeration and foam-blowing industries provided upward momentum in late Q2, offsetting earlier softness.
• Despite stable internal output, cost headwinds emerged from logistical inflation and trade-related sourcing shifts, supporting price resilience across the region.
• The Demand Outlook remained moderately positive, bolstered by strong appliance production cycles and insulation demand under sustainability policies.
• Price forecasts for H2 2025 suggest continuation of a steady trend, with modest upside if appliance and construction activity accelerate further.
APAC
• The Cyclopentane Spot Price in the APAC region, particularly China, fell by 6.20% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, moving from CNY 1743/MT in April to CNY 1635/MT in June. This decline reflects a persistent softness in the Price Index driven by inventory accumulation and subdued downstream activity.
• Supply remained stable, supported by steady domestic production and unimpeded feedstock availability. However, widespread port congestion across major coastal hubs such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Qingdao led to a buildup in domestic inventories, creating temporary oversupply conditions.
• On the demand side, key consuming sectors—refrigeration, insulation, and chemicals—exhibited mixed performance, with a brief seasonal uptick in April offset by weakening trends in May and June.
• Despite solid year-on-year growth in China's refrigerator production in June, overall demand for Cyclopentane remained modest due to global economic uncertainties and muted international procurement.
• Macroeconomic indicators pointed to cautious sentiment, with declining export orders and patchy domestic consumption growth shaping procurement behavior throughout the quarter.
Why did the price of Cyclopentane change in July 2025 in Asia?
• In July 2025, Cyclopentane prices in the Chinese domestic market registered a marginal decline, reversing the previous week’s stability as the Price Index softened further.
• The Cyclopentane Production Cost Trend remained stable amid consistent feedstock supply and steady manufacturing rates, but logistical inefficiencies and high inventory levels offset any potential cost-driven price support.
• The Cyclopentane Demand Outlook remained muted due to softened downstream activity in insulation and refrigeration, combined with weak international demand, further exacerbated by global economic headwinds.
• The Cyclopentane Price Forecast signals a continued bearish tone unless export momentum recovers or domestic procurement strengthens, particularly from the appliance and construction sectors.
Europe
• The Cyclopentane spot market in Europe opened Q2 2025 under downward pressure, primarily influenced by a decline in benzene feedstock costs—a key determinant of production economics.
• However, as the quarter progressed, logistical and supply-side disruptions—including port strikes, labor shortages, and political uncertainty across certain regions—introduced localized constraints. These factors helped reverse the initial price weakness and contributed to a phase of price stabilization.
• On the demand front, seasonal growth in refrigeration and foam-blowing applications gained momentum by mid-quarter, offsetting earlier market softness and lending support to overall market resilience.
• Furthermore, ongoing regulatory initiatives—notably the EU-led phase-down of high-GWP substances under environmental mandates—continued to drive structural demand for Cyclopentane, particularly in appliance manufacturing and building insulation sectors.
Why did Cyclopentane prices evolve in Europe in Q2 2025?
• Cyclopentane production costs experienced some relief at the beginning of Q2 2025, largely driven by a decline in benzene prices. However, this advantage was gradually offset by escalating logistical challenges, including port congestion and labor disruptions, which placed pressure on regional supply availability.
• The demand environment improved steadily over the quarter, supported by seasonal growth in key downstream sectors such as refrigeration and insulation. This resurgence in industrial activity led to increased offtake and more consistent procurement from end users.
• While manufacturing output remained stable, mid-quarter supply chain disruptions played a pivotal role in regulating inventory levels. These bottlenecks curtailed the risk of material oversupply and contributed to relatively balanced market conditions.
• Overall market sentiment transitioned toward cautious optimism by the end of Q2. This shift was underpinned by recovering seasonal demand and constrained supply flows. Nevertheless, uncertainty surrounding feedstock pricing and evolving regulatory requirements continued to temper confidence in the short-term outlook.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American Cyclopentane market experienced notable fluctuations during the first quarter of 2025, shaped by shifting feedstock costs, demand variability, and evolving geopolitical conditions. In the early part of the quarter, Cyclopentane prices in the U.S. trended downward, primarily due to the declining prices of its key feedstock, Benzene. The reduced feedstock costs translated into lower production expenses, thereby exerting downward pressure on Cyclopentane pricing.
However, as the quarter progressed, several market-altering developments unfolded. The imposition of tariffs and emerging trade disruptions affected import flows from key exporting countries such as Canada, leading to constrained supply and a subsequent increase in procurement costs.
Additionally, the onset of the summer season contributed to a resurgence in domestic demand, particularly from the refrigerant and foam-blowing sectors, which are significant consumers of Cyclopentane. These combined factors, tightening supply due to trade limitations and seasonal demand escalation—contributed to a reversal in the price trend, marking a recovery in Cyclopentane prices towards the latter half of the quarter.
APAC
The Asia-Pacific Cyclopentane market witnessed notable volatility during Q1 2025, with India and China emerging as the most affected regions. Prices declined slightly in the early part of the quarter, primarily due to surplus material availability and a continuous drop in the prices of Benzene, a key feedstock. This resulted in reduced production costs, exerting downward pressure on Cyclopentane prices. However, as the quarter progressed, the market rebounded and maintained an upward trajectory. Domestically, the seasonal onset of warmer temperatures in the region spurred increased demand from the refrigerant and foam-blowing sectors, which are key end-users of Cyclopentane. This seasonal demand uptick was particularly evident in insulation and cooling applications. On the international front, China's continued shift towards low-global warming potential (GWP) blowing agents, in alignment with its environmental regulatory framework and sustainability objectives, significantly bolstered demand for Cyclopentane. These combined factors of seasonal domestic demand and strong international momentum contributed to the price recovery observed during the latter half of the quarter.
Europe
The European Cyclopentane market underwent notable fluctuations during the first quarter of 2025, influenced by varying feedstock costs, dynamic demand patterns, and regional geopolitical developments. At the start of the quarter, Cyclopentane prices in Europe trended downward, driven largely by a decline in Benzene prices, the primary feedstock. The resulting decrease in production costs placed downward pressure on Cyclopentane prices across the region. However, market conditions shifted as the quarter progressed. Persistent port strikes, labor shortages, and political uncertainties linked to upcoming elections moderately disrupted regional supply chains, leading to localized material shortages. These supply-side constraints began exerting upward pressure on prices. Simultaneously, the seasonal transition towards summer spurred increased demand from the refrigerant and foam-blowing industries, which are key consumers of Cyclopentane. The convergence of constrained supply and rising demand reversed the initial price trend, resulting in a steady recovery in Cyclopentane prices during the latter half of the quarter. This interplay of factors underscored the market’s sensitivity to both logistical challenges and seasonal consumption trends.
