For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• DTBP market activity in the USA remained largely steady in Q2 2025, with no significant price movements reported across key downstream sectors.
• Demand from industrial coatings, polymer modification, and resins stayed tepid, with buyers restricting procurement to essential volumes.
• Inventory management remained a focus, as distributors avoided overstocking due to unpredictable order patterns.
• Though upstream phenol prices fell, this was offset by rising energy and logistics costs, which prevented any broad-based price relief.
• Trade volumes remained consistent, though some market players flagged pressure from imported cargoes at discounted rates from Asia.
Why did the price of DTBP change in July 2025 in the USA?
• In July, price levels held flat due to limited downstream restocking and no significant recovery in industrial applications.
• Buyers stayed cautious amid uncertain economic outlooks and inflationary pressures, restricting contract negotiations.
• Resin manufacturers and formulators kept offtake minimal, focusing on consuming prior inventory.
• Overall, June concluded with low spot liquidity and weak purchasing sentiment, despite stable supply conditions.
Europe
• DTBP pricing in Germany showed minimal movement during Q2 2025 as both domestic demand and export volumes remained soft.
• Activity in the automotive, electronics, and industrial adhesives segments slowed further, pulling down consumption.
• Import volumes stayed stable but conservative, as local buyers delayed purchases amid weak economic signals.
• Downward pressure on upstream phenol and benzene prices was counterbalanced by elevated energy costs and stagnant logistics efficiency.
• Market participants opted for a wait-and-see strategy, delaying bulk commitments until clearer demand signals emerge.
Why did the price of DTBP change in July 2025 in Germany?
• July witnesses no significant DTBP price changes, largely due to continued stagnation in domestic and export-oriented industrial sectors.
• Local producers operated at reduced rates, focusing on short-term delivery contracts to avoid excess inventories.
• Regional exports to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia declined amid soft downstream chemical demand.
• With feedstock input costs neutralized by fixed overheads, no pricing revision occurred, maintaining price flatness.
Asia Pacific
• DTBP export prices in Taiwan dropped by 6.40% in Q2 2025, settling at an average of USD 1463.33/MT, down from Q1.
• Weak offtake from ASEAN buyers (except India) combined with cost-side deflation contributed to bearish market sentiment.
• Despite innovative showcases in plastics and adhesives, real-time demand from OEMs remained underwhelming.
• Local production was steady, but high inventory levels persisted due to poor export momentum and limited bulk ordering.
• Trade participants highlighted ongoing caution from buyers amid global economic softening and slower polymer consumption.
Why did the price of DTBP change in July 2025 in Taiwan?
• Drop in July is driven by continued export weakness, especially to Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
• Downstream industries, particularly industrial adhesives and engineering plastics slowed their operations.
• Despite successful trade shows in Tainan, conversion to purchase orders was negligible, affecting supplier optimism.
• Port operations were efficient, but logistics alone couldn't offset the weight of demand erosion, pushing prices down.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American Di-tert-butyl Phenol market exhibited a soft price trend, influenced by balanced supply and steady demand from downstream sectors such as plastics, adhesives, and coatings. While manufacturing activities remained stable, buyers adopted a cautious procurement approach amid ongoing economic uncertainties, leading to restrained market activity. Feedstock phenol prices showed slight improvement during the quarter, alleviating some cost pressures for producers. However, competitive dynamics and adequate inventories in the region kept price movements limited.
Di-tert-butyl Phenol prices in North America experienced marginal fluctuations, reflecting a broadly stable market environment. Producers maintained consistent output levels to meet downstream requirements, while moderate raw material cost adjustments supported market stability. The steady performance of key applications, particularly in the plastics and adhesives sectors, provided a reliable demand base, although growth remained modest.
The near-term outlook for the North American Di-tert-butyl Phenol market remains cautiously optimistic, with expectations of stable prices supported by balanced supply-demand dynamics and slight improvements in feedstock costs. Seasonal upticks in downstream activity may provide incremental support, although broader economic conditions are likely to influence purchasing behavior and overall market sentiment.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC Di-tert-butyl Phenol market faced a tightening supply environment driven by robust demand from downstream sectors such as plastics, coatings, and adhesives. Manufacturing indices reflected solid growth, fueled by increased production and a rise in both domestic and international orders. However, supply chain challenges, including raw material shortages and workforce constraints, created capacity pressures, prompting firms to enhance purchasing and inventory strategies. Despite intermittent seasonal slowdowns, market sentiment remained optimistic, with sustained demand growth anticipated.
In Taiwan, Di-tert-butyl Phenol prices declined by 1.05% from Q4 2024, averaging $1563.33 USD/MT in Q1 2025. However, monthly trends within the quarter pointed to a bullish trajectory, supported by tight supply conditions and robust export demand. Factors such as workforce retention challenges, input cost increases, and constrained availability contributed to price resilience. The near-term outlook suggests modest price increases as strong downstream demand and inventory rebuilding efforts continue to shape market dynamics.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European Di-tert-butyl Phenol market exhibited a soft pricing trend, driven by steady downstream demand from key sectors such as plastics, coatings, and adhesives, alongside a decline in feedstock phenol prices. While downstream industries maintained stable consumption levels, buyers exercised caution amid economic uncertainties and evolving market conditions, resulting in restrained procurement and subdued price momentum throughout the quarter.
Di-tert-butyl Phenol prices in Europe experienced minor downward adjustments as lower feedstock costs eased production expenses for manufacturers. Supply levels remained stable, with producers ensuring adequate inventories to meet consistent downstream demand. However, competitive imports and cautious inventory management strategies by buyers contributed to a lack of significant price recovery.
Despite the soft pricing environment, the market demonstrated resilience, supported by the steady performance of downstream sectors. The overall sentiment remained neutral, with limited volatility reflecting a balance between supply and demand. Market participants remain watchful of broader economic indicators and supply chain dynamics that could influence future trends.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Di-ter-butyl Phenol (DTBP) prices in the USA followed a mixed trend, influenced by fluctuations in feedstock phenol prices and varying demand from downstream industries. Throughout the quarter, key sectors such as automotive, coatings, and rubber, which rely on DTBP, showed fluctuating demand. As businesses prepared for the holiday season and New Year, there was a general slowdown in production, leading to reduced consumption of DTBP. However, some industries continued steady operations, maintaining a relatively consistent demand for the chemical for year-end projects and inventory management.
New Year sales did not significantly affect DTBP prices, as companies focused more on optimizing their stock levels and reducing large-scale purchases of raw materials. This cautious approach contributed to a stabilization of prices.
Feedstock phenol prices experienced notable fluctuations during the quarter. In October and December, phenol prices decreased, allowing DTBP producers to lower production costs, which put slight downward pressure on DTBP prices. However, in November, phenol prices saw an increase, leading to higher production costs and a temporary rise in DTBP prices. Despite these fluctuations, the overall trend for DTBP prices in the USA remained mixed, reflecting both the volatility in feedstock prices and varied demand from downstream industries.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Di-ter-butyl Phenol (DTBP) prices in India experienced a slight decrease, driven by a combination of reduced demand and steady supply conditions. As the year drew to a close, many downstream industries, particularly those in the automotive, coatings, and rubber sectors, scaled back production in preparation for the holiday season and the New Year. This seasonal slowdown in manufacturing activity led to a decrease in the consumption of DTBP, exerting downward pressure on prices.
New Year sales and promotions typically have limited impact on DTBP demand, as the material is primarily used in industrial and chemical applications rather than directly in consumer-facing products. During this period, businesses in downstream industries focused more on optimizing inventory levels than on increasing their orders of raw materials like DTBP. This cautious purchasing behavior contributed to the moderation in prices.
On the supply side, there was adequate availability of DTBP from both domestic production and imports. The stable supply ensured that there were no significant disruptions, allowing the market to remain balanced despite the seasonal dip in demand. As a result, Di-ter-butyl Phenol prices in India saw a slight decrease during the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting a combination of lower demand from key industries and steady supply levels.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Di-ter-butyl Phenol (DTBP) prices in Europe experienced a slight decrease, driven by reduced demand from downstream industries and favorable supply conditions. As the year ended, industries such as automotive, coatings, and rubber scaled back production in preparation for the holiday season and the New Year. This seasonal slowdown led to a decrease in consumption of DTBP, exerting downward pressure on prices.
New Year sales did not have a substantial impact on DTBP prices, as the demand for this chemical is largely tied to industrial applications rather than consumer-facing products. During the quarter, businesses focused more on inventory management and adjusting stock levels rather than increasing orders, contributing to the moderation in demand.
A key factor in the slight price decrease was the reduction in feedstock phenol prices throughout the quarter. As phenol, a major raw material for DTBP production, became less expensive, manufacturers were able to produce DTBP at lower costs, passing on some of these savings to the market. The decrease in phenol prices helped stabilize supply, with both domestic and imported quantities meeting demand without disruptions.
As a result, Di-ter-butyl Phenol prices in Europe saw a slight decrease in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by moderated demand from downstream industries, stable supply, and lower feedstock costs.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Di-tert-butyl Phenol (DTBP) market in North America experienced price stability, reflecting a balanced scenario between supply and demand. Several key factors contributed to this steady pricing environment. One of the primary drivers was the subdued buying interest and lackluster demand from downstream industries, such as plastics, coatings, and solvents, which traditionally consume significant volumes of DTBP. Trading activities also remained slow throughout the quarter, as market participants adopted a cautious approach due to broader economic uncertainty.
Additionally, the price of the primary feedstock, Phenol, remained weak in the American market. This stability in Phenol pricing helped maintain low production costs for DTBP, contributing to the overall market stability. Despite some improvements in the construction sector and solvent-related industries, which showed slight signs of recovery, demand for DTBP remained muted.
Market participants relied on existing stock levels to meet domestic requirements, avoiding excessive purchasing or overstocking. This restrained approach from enterprises maintained a steady trajectory in DTBP prices throughout the quarter, reflecting the cautious sentiment in the market. Overall, DTBP pricing in North America stayed consistent, hovering within a narrow range due to the balanced supply-demand dynamics.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the APAC region witnessed a significant surge in Di-Ter-Butyl Phenol prices driven by a myriad of factors. The market experienced an uptrend primarily due to robust demand from key industrial sectors such as plastics, rubber, coatings, and adhesives. This surge was further fueled by limited supply availability, leading to a supply-demand imbalance. Additionally, the continuous buying sentiment, coupled with elevated raw material costs, contributed to the escalating price trend. India, in particular, saw the most substantial price changes during this quarter. The country experienced heightened demand from various sectors, resulting in price hikes. Seasonal factors and increased industrial activity further propelled prices upwards. The correlation between price changes in India and the overall APAC region remained evident, showcasing a synchronized pricing trend. Despite disruptions like plant shutdowns [mention names if available], the pricing environment in Q3 2024 was notably positive. The quarter culminated with the price of 2,6 Di-Ter-Butyl Phenol CFR JNPT in India reaching USD 1879/MT, marking a steady progression of price increments throughout the period.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the European region experienced a significant decline in 2,6 Di-Ter-Butyl Phenol prices, shaped by several critical factors. The overall trend was marked by decreasing prices, largely influenced by escalating global logistics costs. Disruptions in the Red Sea region were a key contributor to these rising expenses, as ongoing conflicts led to severe port congestion, equipment shortages, and increased operational costs. These logistical challenges had a cascading effect on supply chains, causing delays and interruptions that heightened market volatility. As shipping routes became less reliable, the availability of 2,6 Di-Ter-Butyl Phenol was constrained, further complicating the pricing landscape. In addition to logistics issues, market sentiment was affected by concerns over supply stability, which contributed to fluctuating prices. Manufacturers were compelled to navigate these complexities while managing their production schedules, leading to an overall bearish outlook in the market. This combination of geopolitical factors and logistical disruptions ultimately drove down 2,6 Di-Ter-Butyl Phenol prices in Europe during this period, reflecting the intricate interdependencies within global supply chains.
FAQs
1. Which region saw the steepest DTBP price drop in Q2 2025?
Taiwan (APAC) experienced the steepest drop, with a 6.40% quarter-over-quarter decline due to sluggish exports and weak regional demand.
2. What factors influenced stable DTBP prices in the USA and Germany?
Balanced supply-demand dynamics, cautious procurement, and stable industrial activity kept prices largely unchanged.
3. Is the DTBP demand expected to recover in Q3 2025?
Only moderate recovery is expected, contingent on improvement in coatings, plastics, and adhesive markets, especially in APAC.
4. Are feedstock trends impacting DTBP pricing?
Yes. Declines in phenol and benzene prices have eased cost pressure, but they have not fully translated into end-product price drops due to freight and operational cost burdens.
