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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the current price of Defoamer Surfactant in Q2 2025?
o The Defoamer Surfactant Spot Price held stable across all major regions, with North America and India seeing flat pricing, while Europe experienced a minor decline due to oversupply.
2. Who are the top Defoamer Surfactant producers in the United States?
o Key producers include Evonik Industries, Dow Chemical, Shin-Etsu Silicones, and Ashland, with manufacturing facilities primarily located in the Midwest and Gulf Coast.
3. What is the Defoamer Surfactant Demand Outlook for the next quarter?
o The demand outlook remains positive in India and the USA, driven by water treatment and industrial activity. Europe may continue to experience a softer outlook unless construction activity rebounds.
4. What is the Defoamer Surfactant Production Cost Trend in Q2 2025?
o The trend was stable to slightly declining globally, due to easing energy prices and consistent availability of core raw materials like silicone oils and fatty alcohols.