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.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, defoamer surfactant prices in North America remained slightly on the positive side, driven by steady demand from key industries such as wastewater treatment, textiles, and paper. The region saw an increase in environmental regulations, pushing industrial sectors to adopt sustainable practices, which, in turn, supported the demand for defoamer surfactants.
Although the price of crude oil remained lower, mitigating some production cost pressures, supply chains faced moderate disruptions, primarily due to ongoing port congestion. Despite these challenges, local suppliers managed to maintain a consistent flow of materials, and seasonal factors, such as colder weather, played a role in stabilizing market conditions. The demand from the water treatment sector continued to grow as industries focused on improving wastewater management and recycling processes to meet regulatory standards.
While input costs remained stable, the limited demand from the petrochemical sector continued to influence the overall market sentiment. Overall, the defoamer surfactant market in North America displayed stability with moderate growth, supported by regulatory trends and the ongoing push for sustainability.
APAC
In Q4 2024, defoamer surfactant prices in the APAC region remained stable, with modest fluctuations influenced by local demand and supply dynamics. The market saw strong demand from industries such as wastewater treatment, textiles, paper, and pulp, driven by increasing environmental regulations and a focus on sustainability.
As industries sought to minimize their environmental impact, the need for effective water recycling and wastewater treatment solutions boosted the demand for defoamer surfactants. On the supply side, the market was relatively moderate, with supply chain issues easing compared to previous months. However, congestion at major ports in Southeast Asia continued to cause delays, while crude oil prices remained low, alleviating cost pressures on defoamer surfactant production. The ample availability of raw materials, coupled with seasonal factors like the monsoon season, contributed to the overall price stability in the region.
Despite these positive factors, challenges persisted in the downstream petrochemical sector, limiting broader growth. Nevertheless, the growing focus on sustainable practices and increased industrial activity helped maintain stable demand for defoamer surfactants throughout the quarter.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the European defoamer surfactant market experienced bullish behaviour, with prices holding steady due to balanced supply and demand dynamics. The demand for defoamer surfactants remained strong, particularly from wastewater treatment, paper, and textile industries, as tightening environmental regulations and an increasing focus on sustainability continued to drive growth in these sectors.
The water treatment sector saw heightened demand due to industrial activity and seasonal factors like the winter months, which boosted the need for effective water management solutions. The drop in crude oil prices offered relief to production costs, contributing to price stability in the region. The supply chain remained tighter amidst the congestion and the strike throughout the quarter impacting the supply flow.
Despite these positive conditions, the European market faced challenges due to the broader economic slowdown, particularly in the petrochemical sector, which dampened growth prospects. Nonetheless, the ongoing demand for water treatment solutions and sustainability-focused industrial practices helped maintain a stable defoamer surfactant market across Europe throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In the third quarter of 2024, Defoamer Surfactant prices in the U.S. experienced a decline, mainly due to minimal changes in market fundamentals. However, local prices were bolstered by heightened industrial and household activities, along with increasing demand in the water treatment sector.
This drop was additionally influenced by lower crude oil prices and reduced demand from the petrochemical sector, which offered temporary relief to defoamer surfactant producers amid ongoing challenges in the downstream market. Adding to the demand factors, the regional market continued to witness fluctuations in the supply chain as well.
The severe weather conditions, port strikes, and other minor inconveniences impacted the overall price dynamics. As companies aimed to reduce their environmental footprint, the demand for effective treatment solutions surged. Moreover, the water treatment sector experienced a significant uptick in inquiries, driven by robust industrial activity and seasonal factors like the summer and monsoon seasons, highlighting the increasing emphasis on sustainable practices.
APAC
In the third quarter of 2024, Defoamer Surfactant prices in Asia saw a decline, primarily due to a lack of substantial changes in market fundamentals. Despite this, local prices were supported by increased industrial and household activities, alongside rising demand in the water treatment sector. The decrease was further influenced by lower crude oil prices and diminished demand from the petrochemical sector, providing temporary relief for defoamer surfactant producers ongoing challenges in the downstream market. The demand outlook from downstream industries, including wastewater treatment, textiles, paper, and pulp, presented varied trends. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Services, which specialize in managing and treating industrial wastewater, experienced growth driven by stringent environmental regulations. As industries sought to minimize their environmental impact, the demand for effective treatment solutions surged. Furthermore, the water treatment sector saw a notable rise in inquiries, propelled by robust industrial activity and seasonal factors such as the summer and monsoon seasons, which further underscored the growing importance of sustainable practices.
Europe
In the third quarter of 2024, Defoamer Surfactant prices in Europe saw a decline, primarily due to minimal changes in market fundamentals. Nevertheless, local prices were supported by heightened industrial and household activities, coupled with growing demand in the water treatment sector. This decrease was further influenced by lower crude oil prices and reduced demand from the petrochemical sector, providing temporary relief for defoamer surfactant producers facing ongoing challenges in the downstream market. Additionally, the regional market experienced fluctuations in the supply chain, impacted by severe weather conditions, port strikes, and other minor disruptions, which affected overall price dynamics. As companies sought to lessen their environmental impact, the demand for effective treatment solutions surged. The strike by port workers at Bremerhaven and the Port of Hamburg disrupted operations for several days amid a dispute between the workers' unions and the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) regarding collective wage bargaining negotiations. As these negotiations progressed into their third round, there was a possibility of additional industrial action by port workers to advocate for their demands, which could have affected the supply chain.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In the second quarter of 2024, the Defoamer Surfactant market in North America demonstrated an upward trend. The initial weeks noted prices rise due to increased consumer demand, particularly in the industrial and household sectors, as well as the water treatment sector in anticipation of the summer season. However, demand from the downstream textile and paper industries remained underwhelming. Despite a rise in costs from upstream markets, overall input costs eased due to a decline in crude oil prices, attributed to an unexpected surge in US crude oil inventories, weak demand forecasts, and reduced conflict-related risks.
By mid-Q2 2024, Defoamer Surfactant prices continued to climb due to heightened demand and supply stress. Although the textile and paper industries showed limited demand, the influence of upstream raw materials and crude oil prices remained significant. Global onshore oil inventories rose for the second consecutive month due to the imbalance between weak demand and strong supply.
In the last month, Defoamer Surfactant prices further increased due to persistent supply stress and strong domestic demand. Upstream prices continued to remain influential, while crude oil prices were driven higher by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns. The US economy showed positive signs, with projections of high inbound cargo volumes despite ongoing supply chain challenges, leading to optimism among industry participants about the future.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the prices of Defoamer Surfactant in the APAC region have seen a significant upward trend, driven by robust demand across various downstream industries and heightened summer season consumption patterns. Key factors influencing this surge include increased industrial activities, steady growth in the water treatment sector, and elevated procurement by paper and pulp manufacturers. The market dynamics were further bolstered by rising feedstock costs, particularly Silicone Oil, and escalating energy prices. Additionally, ocean freight rates remained elevated, contributing to the augmented product pricing due to logistical constraints and persistent demand-supply imbalances. Focusing on China, the country experienced the most pronounced price changes in the APAC region. Seasonality played a critical role, with higher consumption during the summer months amplifying price pressures. Consequently, the prices of Defoamer Surfactant in China witnessed a notable 1% increase compared to the same quarter last year. The latest quarter-ending price for Silicon-Based Surfactant FOB Shanghai in China settled at USD 1866/MT, underscoring the positive pricing environment throughout the quarter. The alignment of supply constraints, burgeoning demand, and rising input costs has collectively fostered a bullish market sentiment, ensuring a stable yet upward price progression for Defoamer Surfactant in the APAC region for Q2 2024.
Europe
In the second quarter of 2024, the Defoamer Surfactant market in Europe noted an inclining trend. In the first month, prices of Defoamer Surfactant rose in Germany due to improved supply and demand fundamentals. The business climate in the German chemical industry showed positive signs, with the business index rising from -10.1 points in March to -6.0 in April. Companies assessed their business situation more positively and had brighter business expectations, signaling increased confidence about the coming months. However, the demand situation remained challenging, with nearly half of the companies reporting insufficient orders, increasing from 40.6% in January to 46.6% in April. Despite these challenges, chemical companies anticipated higher overseas orders and planned to increase sales prices for the first time since January 2023. In the next two months also, Defoamer Surfactant prices continued the upward trend as the market conditions enhanced further, albeit at a slower pace. European markets saw slight improvements due to restocking practices ahead of the summer vacations, although competition from cheaper Asian imports remained a challenge. The overall order book levels showed gradual improvement, indicating a positive trend, but the chemical confidence indicator, while improving, remained low. High energy and raw material prices, along with a lack of orders, continued to burden businesses. Consequently, companies were forced to cut costs, potentially leading to shutting down production plants, abandoning business segments, or shifting investments abroad. Despite these challenges, the market outlook for the product and the broader chemical industry in Germany appeared cautiously optimistic.
