For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Detergent Alcohol Prices in North America
- In United States, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging raw material costs.
- The Detergent Alcohol Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0% year-over-year.
- Ethylene feedstock costs strengthened in March 2026, elevating upstream expenses for synthetic detergent alcohol production.
- The Detergent Alcohol Demand Outlook remained supported in March 2026 as retail sales grew 4.0% year-over-year.
- Consumer price inflation reached 3.3% year-over-year in March 2026, while the unemployment rate stabilized at 4.3%.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, aligning with an expanded Manufacturing Index during the period.
- Consumer confidence registered at 91.8 in March 2026, sustaining baseline consumption for household cleaning products.
- Supply constraints tightened availability in Q1 2026, pushing the Detergent Alcohol Price Index higher in March 2026.
- The Detergent Alcohol Price Forecast indicated upward pressure in Q1 2026 due to severe supply chain disruptions.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in March 2026 in North America?
- Ethylene feedstock costs and global crude oil supply disruptions elevated upstream expenses in March 2026.
- Liquid tanker freight costs surged in March 2026 due to Middle East conflict trade disruptions.
- Derivative demand for ethylene-based products strengthened in March 2026, tightening overall chemical market supply availability.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in APAC
- In China, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, reflecting surging upstream feedstock costs.
- During March 2026, retail sales grew a sluggish 1.7% year-over-year, while consumer inflation rose 1.0%.
- Consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, as 5.4% unemployment in March 2026 strained household budgets.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, aligning with a 0.5% year-over-year increase in producer prices.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026, supporting Detergent Alcohol Demand Outlook in industrial applications.
- Detergent Alcohol Production Cost Trend escalated as palm kernel oil and naphtha prices surged in February 2026.
- Middle Eastern naphtha imports faced logistical disruptions during March 2026, tightening regional synthetic alcohol feedstocks.
- Buyers maintained cautious inventories in February 2026, while mid-cut fatty alcohol demand softened in March 2026.
- The Detergent Alcohol Price Forecast indicated upward pressure in Q1 2026 due to persistent regional feedstock shortages.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Palm kernel oil and naphtha feedstock costs surged significantly across the region in February 2026.
- Severe logistical disruptions heavily restricted Middle Eastern naphtha imports to Asian markets in March 2026.
- Industrial production strengthened 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026, driving steady consumption in heavy-duty cleaning applications.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Detergent Alcohol Production Cost Trend increased during Q1 2026 as oleochemical and naphtha feedstock expenses surged.
- Consumer inflation reached 2.7% in March 2026, while producer prices fell 0.2%, squeezing Detergent Alcohol production margins.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, despite industrial production remaining flat at 0.0% in February 2026.
- The Detergent Alcohol Demand Outlook strengthened in Q1 2026, supported by a 0.7% retail sales increase in February 2026.
- Unemployment held at 4.2% in February 2026, though consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026.
- Industrial cleaning surfactant consumption strengthened in Q1 2026, boosting the overall Detergent Alcohol Price Index.
- The Detergent Alcohol Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 following severe Middle Eastern naphtha supply disruptions.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Naphtha and ethylene feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to severe geopolitical supply disruptions.
- European refinery operations underwent planned shutdowns during Q1 2026, severely limiting essential feedstock availability.
- Industrial cleaning and crop productivity end-market consumption strengthened significantly throughout the Q1 2026 period.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Detergent Alcohol Prices in North America
- In United States, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by increased input costs and tightened supply.
- Detergent Alcohol production costs faced upward pressure in Q4 2025, despite fatty alcohol feedstock costs plummeting during the period.
- Demand for Detergent Alcohol strengthened in Q4 2025, supported by a 3.3% year-over-year retail sales rise in November 2025.
- Industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, bolstering demand for industrial cleaning applications.
- Regional supply of Detergent Alcohol tightened in October 2025 due to significant planned refinery maintenance outages.
- Consumer confidence registered 89.1 in December 2025, indicating moderate sentiment, influencing household cleaning demand.
- Naphtha feedstock prices softened in December 2025, yet overall production costs were impacted by a 2.7% CPI increase.
- US chemical exports slightly contracted in October 2025, while imports sharply declined, impacting trade flows.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising input costs, with PPI up 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, pressured Detergent Alcohol prices.
- Regional supply tightened in October 2025 due to refinery maintenance, contributing to upward price movement.
- Strong consumer spending, with retail sales up 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, supported demand.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in APAC
- In China, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by weak consumer demand and producer deflation.
- Detergent Alcohol demand outlook was mixed in Q4 2025, with weak consumer spending but expanding industrial activity.
- The Detergent Alcohol Price Forecast suggests continued pressure due to persistent petrochemical oversupply throughout 2025.
- Detergent Alcohol production costs increased in December 2025 as input cost inflation for raw materials accelerated.
- China's CPI rose only 0.8% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating subdued consumer demand.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, following improvements in November, supporting industrial demand.
- Retail sales growth eased to 0.9% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting sluggish consumer purchases.
- Industrial production grew 5.2% year-on-year in December 2025, boosting demand for industrial applications.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer spending, with retail sales growth at 0.9% in December 2025, reduced demand.
- Producer Price Index declined 1.9% in December 2025, reflecting industrial deflationary pressures.
- Accelerated input cost inflation for raw materials in December 2025 increased production expenses.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by a negative Producer Price Index in December 2025.
- Production costs for Detergent Alcohol increased in Q4 2025 due to significant jumps in palm kernel oil feedstock prices.
- Energy costs for manufacturing surged in late 2025, driven by climbing natural gas consumption and higher electricity prices.
- Detergent Alcohol demand outlook was mixed in Q4 2025, with retail sales rising 1.1% in November 2025.
- Consumer confidence declined to -17.5 in December 2025, despite a stable 6.2% unemployment rate.
- Industrial production in Germany inched up 0.8% in October 2025, providing slight support for demand.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, indicating a slowdown in industrial activity and reduced demand.
- Germany's chemical industry faced weak domestic and export orders in October 2025, contributing to lower demand.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer Price Index declined by 2.5% in December 2025, indicating lower prices received by producers.
- Palm kernel oil feedstock costs jumped significantly in October and November 2025, then dipped in December 2025.
- Consumer confidence declined to -17.5 in December 2025, impacting demand for end-use products.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Detergent Alcohol Prices in North America
- In United States, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell in Q3 2025, driven by weakened overall chemical demand and ample inventories.
- Production costs for Detergent Alcohol rose in Q3 2025, influenced by surging ethylene and elevated naphtha feedstock prices.
- Demand for Detergent Alcohol weakened in Q3 2025, as major customer markets deteriorated and consumer confidence declined to 94.2.
- Overall chemical industry inventories remained ample in Q3 2025, contributing to market oversupply despite destocking efforts.
- US industrial production showed sluggish 0.1% year-over-year growth in September 2025, limiting demand for industrial applications.
- Rising Producer Price Index (PPI) by 2.6% in August 2025 indicated higher input costs for manufacturers.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, indicating general inflation impacting operational costs.
- Retail sales increased 5.42% in September 2025, and a 4.3% unemployment rate supported consumer spending.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in North America?
- Weakened overall chemical demand and declining consumer confidence to 94.2 in September 2025.
- Surging ethylene and elevated naphtha feedstock costs increased production expenses in Q3 2025.
- Ample overall chemical industry inventories contributed to market oversupply in Q3 2025.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in APAC
- In China, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased feedstock costs.
- Detergent Alcohol production costs increased in Q3 2025 due to rising vegetable oil feedstock prices.
- Domestic demand for surfactants and industrial detergents improved in China during Q3 2025.
- Retail sales grew 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, supporting consumer product consumption.
- Industrial production increased 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, boosting industrial cleaner demand.
- Export demand for fatty alcohols from China remained strong to neighboring Asian countries in Q3 2025.
- China's CPI declined 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting deflationary pressures.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, signaling broader industrial slowdown.
- Producer Price Index declined 2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating weak industrial pricing.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at 89.6 in September 2025, affecting discretionary spending.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Vegetable oil feedstock costs, a key input for Detergent Alcohol, increased in Q3 2025.
- Domestic demand for surfactants and industrial detergents improved in China during Q3 2025.
- China's CPI declined 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting broader deflationary pressures.
Detergent Alcohol Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by easing naphtha costs.
- Detergent Alcohol production costs faced mixed trends in Q3 2025, with easing naphtha but rising vegetable oil feedstock costs.
- The manufacturing index showed a contracting trend in September 2025, impacting industrial demand for Detergent Alcohol.
- Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-on-year in September 2025, contributing to weakened overall Detergent Alcohol demand.
- Producer prices decreased by 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating lower input costs for downstream manufacturers.
- Detergent Alcohol demand outlook was mixed; robust in personal care but weakened by declining household consumer spending in Q3 2025.
- Naphtha inventories built up in the Netherlands during Q3 2025, reflecting increased imports and lower demand.
- Consumer confidence declined to -23.6 in September 2025, dampening household purchasing power for consumer goods.
- Retail sales increased by 0.8% year-on-year in September 2025, supported by a 3.9% unemployment rate.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices decreased by 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, reducing manufacturing input costs.
- Naphtha feedstock costs eased in Q3 2025, contributing to downward pressure on derivative prices.
- Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-on-year in September 2025, weakening overall demand.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In the North American region, the Detergent Alcohol market in the fourth quarter of 2023 witnessed several significant factors impacting the prices. Firstly, the inquiries from the downstream Personal Care industries gradually increased, leading to an upward trend in prices. Additionally, the drop in inflationary pressures across the market further supported the favorable market environment for Detergent Alcohol.
However, the limited production activities and low availability of finished Detergent Alcohol stocks posed challenges for manufacturers. The prices of energy materials, particularly crude oil, rose during this period, contributing to higher manufacturing costs for Detergent Alcohol. Furthermore, the rally in crude oil prices increased the demand for palm oil for biofuel production, resulting in reduced supply for the Personal Care sector.
Furthermore, in December, Amid the destocking season, manufacturers have opted for price cuts to stimulate new shipments. as per the US Commerce Department, In November, exports contracted as a result of subdued international demand. Both domestic and foreign markets are experiencing a slowdown, attributed to substantial interest rate hikes implemented by global central banks since 2022 to combat elevated inflation, However, The U.S. central bank held its policy rate steady at 5.25-5.50%. The price of Detergent Alcohol C12-15 DEL Louisiana in the USA for the fourth quarter of 2023 is USD 1706/MT.
APAC
The Q4 2023 for Detergent Alcohol in the APAC region was characterized by a stable to bullish market situation with high to moderate demand. The availability of Detergent Alcohol was sufficient to meet the demand from the downstream Surfactant and detergent industries, and there was active demand from the downstream Personal Care industries with the stabilization of economic conditions. In India, solid procurement from the downstream industries has been reported in the fourth quarter of 2023. However, in December, The destocking season has led to a greater inclination to release the inventories at lower prices. In addition, the freight rates remained lower with no major supply-chain disruptions. In addition, upstream Palm Oil prices dropped in the domestic market, as the major exporting nations, Indonesia and Malaysia have reported high inventories leading to a decrease in manufacturing costs of Detergent Alcohol. In China, the prices of Detergent Alcohol witnessed a bullish trend with an increment of 3.5% in November, followed by a drop of 1.5% in December. The year-end demand from the downstream personal Cre industries has remained lackluster and as a result, the production activities have contracted to maintain the market equilibrium. The current quarter's price of Detergent Alcohol C12-14 - CFR Shanghai in China is USD 1340/MT.
Europe
The European region's Detergent Alcohol market witnessed a bearish trend in Q4, with moderate to low demand from the downstream end-use industries. Plant shutdowns were not reported by market participants. The top three factors that affected the market were a decline in demand from the Personal Care industries, a decrease in European natural gas prices, and lower operating rates of manufacturing firms. Germany experienced the most significant changes in prices, with a percentage change of -7% from the previous quarter and a price percentage comparison of 9% between the first and second halves of the quarter. Furthermore, in December, as per the market participants, the downstream demand entered the off-season in peak winter, which has led to bearish Detergent Alcohol market sentiments. Some Detergent Alcohol companies have initiated scheduled maintenance during a slack season to alleviate the pressure stemming from a rapid uptick in inventory, thereby reducing the operating rates. On the upstream front, the cost support from Palm Oil has been limited as its prices have remained on the lower end. As per ChemAnalyst, the latest price of Detergent Alcohol C12-14 FOB Hamburg in Germany for the current quarter is USD 1822/MT.
