For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index rose by 6.71% quarter-over-quarter, driven by firmer domestic procurement activity.
• The average Defoamer Surfactant price for the quarter was approximately USD 1987.67/MT, per combined totals.
• Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price remained firm in Gulf Coast as distributors managed prompt parcel availability.
• Defoamer Surfactant Price Index showed moderate volatility as freight softened but landed costs exerted pressure.
• Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend flat as silicone oil and ethylene feedstock prices remained steady and energy costs.
• Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook remains steady with consistent offtake from paper, coatings, and wastewater sectors.
• Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast anticipates range-bound current levels unless supply disruptions or demand spikes emerge in near-term.
• Restarts, distributor stocking and regional export demand influenced the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index this quarter, affecting trader arbitrage activity.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in December 2025 in North America?
• Balanced import flows and softened freight lowered landed-cost volatility, moderating December Defoamer Surfactant price momentum.
• Steady procurement from paper, coatings and wastewater sectors sustained baseline demand despite distributor inventory cover.
• Localized plant turnarounds and occasional feedstock tightness briefly tightened prompt availability, offsetting technology-driven demand reductions.
APAC
• In China, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index rose by 9.57% quarter-over-quarter, driven by stronger downstream restocking.
• The average Defoamer Surfactant price for the quarter was approximately USD 1881.00/MT, reported by export FOB Shanghai channels.
• Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price remained firm as balanced inventories and elevated freight supported firm export parity and Price Index.
• Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend showed moderate upward pressure from rising silicone oil and energy input costs.
• Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook remains constructive driven by paper packaging, wastewater projects and coatings seasonal restocking.
• Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast indicates short-term range-bound movement with upside risk if restocking and freight costs intensify.
• China export demand and comfortable inventories pressured spot sellers, tempering the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index momentum.
• Operational continuity at major Jiangsu and Guangdong plants maintained supply, supporting steady FOB offers and dampening volatility.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Q4 restocking by paper and corrugated converters increased spot demand, tightening availability and lifting prices.
• Elevated freight rates and modest silicone oil cost increases pushed export landed costs, supporting higher FOB quotations.
• Later in December, comfortable producer inventories and aggressive seller offers caused mild downward pressure on FOB levels.
Europe
• In Europe, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index showed a mixed quarter-over-quarter trend in Q4 2025, as early-quarter softness was partially offset by improved demand and firmer pricing toward late Q4.
• The average Defoamer Surfactant price for the quarter remained largely stable, supported by contract settlements and steady demand from essential industrial segments.
• Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price weakened in September but recovered modestly in November–December, reflecting shifts in downstream procurement behavior.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend remained steady, as silicone oil and mineral oil feedstocks showed limited volatility, while energy and logistics costs normalized compared with earlier quarters.
• Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook remained balanced, with consistent consumption from wastewater treatment, pulp & paper, and detergents, while paints, coatings, and construction-related demand fluctuated seasonally.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast indicated range-bound movement, with upside potential linked to restocking cycles and downside risks capped by stable production economics.
• Adequate inventories across distributors initially pressured the Price Index, though later replenishment activity provided some support toward the end of the quarter.
• Normal operating rates at major European production facilities ensured supply continuity, preventing sharp price swings despite demand variability.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Q4 restocking by paper and corrugated converters increased spot demand, tightening immediate availability and lifting prices in the market.
• Elevated freight rates and modest increases in silicone oil costs pushed up export landed costs, supporting higher FOB quotations.
• Later in December, comfortable producer inventories and aggressive seller offers caused mild downward pressure on FOB levels, tempering the initial price surge.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index fell by 4.10% quarter-over-quarter, supported by rising imports.
• The average Defoamer Surfactant price for the quarter was approximately USD 1862.67/MT, reflecting stable import parity.
• Balanced import flows pressured Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price despite steady industrial consumption and logistics easing.
• Short-term Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast remains flat, with modest downside risk from continued import oversupply.
• Stable silicone oil feedstock supported the Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend, limiting upstream cost pressures.
• Cautious procurement constrained restocking, shaping the Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook towards steady, need-based purchases only.
• High import volumes increased inventories and weighed on the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index, pressuring spot.
• Operations at major suppliers remained normal; weak export demand left Defoamer Surfactant Price Index subdued.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in September 2025 in North America?
• Uninterrupted imports flooded US warehouses, increasing availability, creating downward pressure across Defoamer Surfactant domestic prices.
• Lower freight rates reduced import costs, easing cost-push influences on Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend.
• Steady downstream consumption, cautious procurement, manageable logistics limited upward pressure on Defoamer Surfactant Price Index.
APAC
• In China, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index fell by 2.20% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025 notably.
• The average Defoamer Surfactant price for the quarter was approximately USD 1716.67/MT, FOB Shanghai level.
• China's Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price remained range-bound as the Price Index signalled limited volatility nationwide.
• Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast points to modest downside risk from exports and steady domestic inventories.
• Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend stayed neutral as silicone oil and alcohol costs remained stable.
• Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook is moderate, supported by textiles, paper, coatings and water treatment sectors.
• Inventories and export tempered the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index as freight declines eased cost pressure.
• Major manufacturers operated at steady utilization, minimizing outages and supporting stable Defoamer Surfactant Price Index.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in September 2025 in APAC?
• High producer run-rates maintained supply during September, exerting downward pressure amid weaker overseas demand overall.
• Stable feedstock costs limited cost-push effects, preventing substantial price increases despite moderate domestic demand strength.
• Improved logistics and lower intra-Asia freight reduced export transaction costs, softening export-driven pricing in September.
Europe
In Europe, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index showed a mixed trend through Q3 2025—firming in mid-quarter before easing slightly in September.
• Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price increased during July and August due to solid demand from the pulp and paper, paint and coatings, and wastewater treatment sectors amid high production activity.
• By September, Spot Price softened modestly as downstream consumption normalized and inventories replenished across Western and Central Europe.
• Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend remained largely steady throughout Q3 2025, driven by stable silicone oil, mineral oil, and fatty alcohol feedstock prices, as well as reduced freight costs.
• Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast suggests continued mixed movement into Q4 2025—steady industrial operations will support the market, though slower construction and coating demand may limit further gains.
• Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook remains balanced; while industrial and paper-processing sectors sustained steady uptake, paint and construction demand moderated due to seasonal slowdowns.
• Domestic European producers maintained strong operating rates, ensuring adequate supply and keeping the Price Index from significant volatility.
• Lower logistics costs and improved import availability from Asia kept overall pricing competitive, despite moderate energy cost fluctuations.
Why did the price of Defoamer Surfactant change in September 2025 in Europe?
• In September 2025, the Defoamer Surfactant Price Index decreased slightly as industrial activity and downstream procurement slowed following peak summer production cycles.
• Softer consumption from paint and coating manufacturers and high product availability contributed to the mild decline in Spot Price.
• With the Production Cost Trend largely stable, the September movement reflected weaker demand rather than any cost escalation.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The USA Defoamer Surfactant Price Index was steady for the month of Q2 2025 and did not see significant movement in the Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price.
• The price was stable because of consistent demand from industrial cleaning and wastewater treatment markets, as well as equilibrium inventory conditions and stable feedstocks.
• The trend for Defoamer Surfactant Manufacturing cost was moderate, underpinned by low energy costs and stable supply of silicone oils and fatty alcohols.
• The Surfactant Demand for Defoamer was robust, supported by the development of infrastructure, steady municipal water treatment operations, and industrial cleaning uses.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast for Q3 2025 remains neutral to slightly bullish, depending on seasonal industrial demand recovery.
Europe
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Index in Europe declined slightly in Q2 2025 due to oversupply and sluggish demand across key sectors.
• The price decreased as downstream demand from construction, coatings, and paper sectors failed to pick up as anticipated.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend moved slightly downward due to improved raw mat
• Serial sourcing and cost-efficient imports from Asia.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook stayed soft across most regions in Europe, with delayed infrastructure recovery and cautious purchasing behaviour.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast suggests weak momentum ahead unless macroeconomic sentiment improves and downstream offtake increases.
Asia-Pacific
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Index in India was firm in Q2 2025, with the Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price holding stable on the back of consistent downstream demand.
• The price remained stable due to rising demand from wastewater treatment and industrial manufacturing, offset by easing input costs and improved logistics.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend remained neutral as feedstock prices like propylene glycol and fatty alcohols showed minimal volatility, and shipping costs declined.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook was strong, underpinned by urban wastewater treatment expansion and increased chemical usage in sectors like textiles and coatings.
• The Defoamer Surfactant Price Forecast points to slight increases in Q3 2025 as government infrastructure initiatives ramp up and water reuse targets grow more urgent.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, Defoamer Surfactant prices in North America continued to follow the uptrend, with some upward pressure driven by growing demand in industrial sectors. Early January saw prices holding steady, supported by moderate demand in wastewater treatment, paper, and textiles.
Input costs were somewhat higher due to stable crude oil prices, but this did not result in significant price fluctuations. As the quarter progressed, industrial activity picked up, particularly in the water treatment sector, leading to increased demand for defoamer surfactants. The rise in manufacturing demand and tightening supply contributed to a slight uptick in prices by mid-February, though the market remained cautious with some buyers hesitant to engage in large-scale procurement.
By March, prices continued to remain stable, aided by steady raw material availability, but the overall sentiment remained subdued as the market awaited clearer signals of economic recovery. While demand remained steady, the pace of growth was moderate, and the market showed resilience amidst regional economic uncertainties and cautious trading behavior.
APAC
In Q1 2025, Defoamer Surfactant prices in China moved northwards, with minor fluctuations driven by varying demand conditions. Early in January, prices held steady due to a balance between increased industrial and household activities, especially in the growing water treatment sector, and the easing of input costs from lower crude oil demand. The market faced a slowdown during the Lunar New Year break, affecting overall activity. Prices surged towards the end of January and into February, supported by heightened manufacturing and wastewater treatment demand, along with stockpiling efforts ahead of the holiday. Despite weaker growth in downstream sectors like textiles and pulp, the feedstock price for fatty alcohols remained stable, contributing to the price stability. By March, prices stayed steady, bolstered by ongoing demand from industrial sectors, particularly wastewater treatment, and steady raw material prices. While market sentiment remained cautious with buyers hesitant to make large purchases, the overall trend showed resilience, fueled by improving economic conditions and the growing demand for wastewater management solutions amid rising populations and water usage.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Defoamer Surfactant prices in Europe exhibited bullish market dynamics, with slight fluctuations influenced by regional demand dynamics and feedstock costs. At the start of the year, prices remained stable, as lower crude oil prices provided some relief to manufacturers, while demand from industrial sectors like wastewater treatment and pulp and paper showed steady growth. However, the market faced some challenges during the Lunar New Year period, as reduced activity in Asia affected overall supply chains. Prices saw a slight uptick in late January and February, driven by stockpiling efforts and growing demand from the manufacturing and water treatment industries. Feedstock prices for fatty alcohols remained stable, contributing to the price stability. As March unfolded, defoamer surfactant prices continued to hold steady, underpinned by consistent demand, especially in wastewater management, and steady raw material costs. Despite cautious buying behavior, the market demonstrated resilience, with demand for water treatment solutions rising alongside the growing need for sustainable wastewater management in urban and industrial sectors.
