For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Europe
• In Europe, the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index in the Netherlands experienced a volatile trend during Q2 2025. After consecutive monthly declines in April and May, prices rebounded in June amid strengthening battery-sector demand and improving industrial sentiment. Imports from China, the primary supplier, remained stable throughout the quarter, albeit at competitive prices due to global oversupply.
• The Diethyl Carbonate Spot Price in the Netherlands dropped from USD 1270/MT in April to USD 1270/MT in June, reflecting demand-supply corrections. While demand in the coatings sector was relatively soft due to inflationary pressure and lower manufacturing output, battery-grade consumption, especially for EVs, showed signs of resurgence towards the end of the quarter.
• In July 2025, the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index in the Netherlands continued its upward trajectory, supported by sustained demand in the battery-grade sector and inflation-led cost increases in logistics and input materials. Additionally, EU trade restrictions on Chinese BEVs have prompted some regional buyers to diversify sourcing strategies, causing short-term procurement pressure and upward price movements.
• The Diethyl Carbonate Demand Outlook in Europe looks moderately strong as industrial activities pick up, backed by government-driven electrification programs. The Diethyl Carbonate Production Cost Trend is being closely watched due to fluctuating logistics expenses and EU regulatory shifts, which could influence sourcing and storage practices in the upcoming quarter.
APAC
• The Diethyl Carbonate Price Index across the APAC region, particularly in China, exhibited a downward trend throughout Q2 2025, driven largely by domestic oversupply and aggressive competition among local producers. Despite resilient demand from the battery and coatings segments, oversaturation in the domestic market and softening export margins kept the overall market under pressure. However, by late Q2, pricing began to stabilize, reflecting balanced market fundamentals.
• The Diethyl Carbonate Spot Price in China declined steadily, impacted by intense producer competition, falling raw material costs (like Maleic Anhydride), and subdued export returns. Even with surging New Energy Vehicle (NEV) output, particularly battery electric vehicles, the excess in production and stockpiling led to exporters adopting discounted pricing strategies to retain buyers in India and Europe.
• Into July 2025, the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index in China remained largely stable, supported by continued demand from the battery sector. However, macroeconomic uncertainties and stagnant industrial activity restricted any upward price movement. Export flows, especially to India, persisted at consistent levels, keeping prices from falling further. Thus, no significant change in the price index was noted for July.
• The Diethyl Carbonate Demand Outlook remains cautiously optimistic in China, buoyed by steady EV battery demand and the seasonal push in coatings consumption. However, ongoing trade tensions with the US and the EU could pose headwinds to broader solvent applications. The Diethyl Carbonate Production Cost Trend stayed consistent in Q2 due to subdued energy costs and steady freight conditions across APAC.
North America
• In North America, the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index showcased fluctuating trends during Q2 2025, reflecting varying levels of demand from downstream users and inconsistent import patterns. The absence of large-scale domestic production meant reliance on imports—mainly from APAC—continued to influence spot pricing based on global trade flows.
• The US market’s performance was shaped by mixed macroeconomic signals, including high interest rates, fluctuating freight rates, and uneven industrial activity across states. Battery-grade Diethyl Carbonate demand remained the primary consumption driver, especially in areas with active EV production and energy storage facilities.
• By July 2025, the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index in the US market moved slightly upward, triggered by increased procurement interest in the battery materials segment and mild freight surcharges stemming from global shipping route disruptions. Buyers also reported a preference for securing forward contracts amid cost uncertainty and logistical constraints.
• The Diethyl Carbonate Spot Price in the US was influenced more by global movements and port logistics than domestic trends. While no domestic price point is available, industry feedback confirms that production cost pressures and cautious stock replenishment practices kept the market in flux through July.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American Diethyl Carbonate (DEC) market experienced notable price fluctuations, influenced by varying demand from the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors, alongside broader economic factors.
January commenced with a surge in DEC prices, driven by heightened demand from the EV industry, particularly as manufacturers ramped up production to meet year-end targets. The lithium-ion battery sector, a primary consumer of DEC as an electrolyte solvent, also saw increased activity, contributing to the price uptick.
However, February brought a moderation in prices. The EV sector faced challenges due to supply chain disruptions and a temporary slowdown in consumer demand. Additionally, the lithium-ion battery industry experienced a brief lull, attributed to inventory adjustments and cautious procurement strategies. These factors collectively led to a stabilization of DEC prices during this period.
March witnessed a renewed increase in DEC prices. The EV market regained momentum, spurred by favorable government incentives and a rebound in consumer confidence. Simultaneously, the lithium-ion battery sector ramped up production to meet the growing demand, further propelling DEC prices upward.
Overall, Q1 2025 highlighted the sensitivity of the DEC market to the performance of the EV and lithium-ion battery sectors, with prices reflecting the dynamic interplay of demand fluctuations and economic conditions.
APAC
In the APAC region during Q1 2025, the Diethyl Carbonate market experienced subdued demand influenced by stable yet cautious industrial activity, particularly in sectors such as lithium-ion batteries and paints and adhesives. Supply chains remained robust with consistent ethanol availability supporting production, despite some logistical challenges. Market sentiment was generally bearish due to competitive global conditions and lower feedstock costs, while inventory levels were maintained at steady levels. Seasonal factors and automotive sales trends contributed to a nuanced demand landscape, with price fluctuations expected to remain within a narrow range throughout the quarter. In China, Diethyl Carbonate prices declined by 9% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging $1203/MT in the current quarter. The intra-quarter price trend was largely flat, with monthly prices showing minimal variation. This softness was primarily driven by a 5.4% reduction in ethanol costs and intensified global competition, exerting downward pressure on export pricing. The overall market trend is bearish, although near-term forecasts suggest limited volatility with stable demand expected to persist.
Europe
The European Diethyl Carbonate market in Q1 2025 is characterized by stable supply chains despite minor logistical constraints, particularly in air freight and trucking. Demand remains closely linked to key end-use sectors such as lithium-ion batteries and paints, with regional variations influenced by automotive sales and industrial activity. Ethanol price reductions have eased production costs, contributing to a generally subdued pricing environment. Market sentiment reflects cautious stability, with inventory levels steady and price fluctuations expected to remain within a narrow range throughout the quarter. In the Netherlands, DEC prices declined by 7.43% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging $1333/MT during the current quarter. Monthly prices exhibited a flat intra-quarter trend, reflecting balanced supply-demand dynamics amid minor logistical challenges. The price softness is primarily driven by lower ethanol costs and competitive import conditions, resulting in a bearish to stable market stance. Near-term outlook suggests limited volatility with demand and prices anticipated to fluctuate modestly within a narrow band.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the Diethyl Carbonate (DEC) market in North America experienced a mixed pricing trend, influenced by a combination of demand and supply dynamics. On the demand side, seasonal fluctuations and strong performance in downstream sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and electronics provided periods of heightened activity, leading to localized price increases. Additionally, the overall economic environment in North America played a pivotal role; regions with robust industrial performance supported demand growth, while areas impacted by economic slowdowns saw subdued market activity.
Supply-side factors also contributed to the mixed trend. Temporary production disruptions, stemming from facility maintenance and sporadic raw material shortages, tightened supply in certain periods, pushing prices upward. Conversely, elevated inventory levels among manufacturers and distributors exerted downward pressure on prices, particularly during periods of weakened demand. Competitive dynamics further influenced pricing, as intensified competition among regional suppliers in some segments stabilized or reduced prices, whereas limited supplier competition in niche applications allowed for price hikes.
Overall, the interplay of these factors resulted in fluctuations across the quarter, with prices reflecting both upward and downward pressures, dependent on localized demand and supply conditions.
APAC
In Q4 2024, Diethyl Carbonate (DEC) prices in the APAC region, particularly in China, India, and the Netherlands, experienced an overall decline driven by a combination of reduced ethanol prices and subdued demand in several key sectors. Early in the quarter, DEC prices surged due to increased production costs and supply constraints in China, coupled with strong demand from the automotive and coatings sectors. However, by November and December, the market saw a significant reversal. The primary factor contributing to the decline was a decrease in ethanol prices, a critical raw material for DEC production, which led to lower production costs and falling import prices in India and the Netherlands. Despite strong growth in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector, which boosted demand for DEC in battery production, overall consumption remained weak in automotive and technical applications. This was compounded by slower economic activity, particularly in industries like construction. As a result, DEC prices fell across all key markets in the region, reflecting the broader global downturn in pricing and demand.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the price trend of Diethyl Carbonate (DEC) in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, experienced an overall decline due to multiple factors. Throughout the quarter, the market saw a significant reduction in DEC prices across various regions, driven by lower ethanol prices, a key raw material, and reduced demand from major sectors like automotive and technical applications. In October, DEC prices initially surged due to strong demand from automotive and coatings sectors in India, China, and the Netherlands, but the momentum quickly reversed. As production costs declined in China, a leading exporter, and ethanol prices fell, DEC prices in these markets also dropped.
The Netherlands, heavily reliant on imports, saw a price decrease as Chinese export prices dropped, easing procurement costs. Demand in the European region was subdued, particularly in automotive markets, with weaker performance from Germany and France offset by some recovery in Spain. By December, DEC prices dropped further due to continued sluggish demand, despite growth in electric vehicle sales and lithium-ion battery production. Overall, the quarter ended with a bearish outlook for DEC, with prices continuing to decline across key markets.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Diethyl Carbonate prices exhibited limited volatility, fluctuating within a tight range amid several influencing factors. The U.S. economy showed resilience, although inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties continued to pose challenges.
Supply trends were shaped by stable manufacturing performance and changing trade dynamics. A minor drop in the PPI for manufacturing industries, from 249.624 in Q2 to 248.383 in Q3, signaled slight production cost savings. The restocking of inventories, following Q1 drawdowns, helped Q2 GDP grow by 3.0%, with 2.7% annual growth expected.
Consumer spending and corporate investments, driven by initiatives like the CHIPS Act, kept demand robust, as inflation dropped below 3.0% in July. However, geopolitical tensions in key regions, along with potential tariffs on imports, raised concerns about supply chains and trade disruptions. The Fed’s forthcoming rate cuts are intended to stimulate household spending and growth, though labor market shifts and trade uncertainties may affect supply dynamics heading into 2025.
Asia
In Q3 2024, the Diethyl Carbonate market in the APAC region experienced a downward trend in prices, influenced by various factors. Supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and weakening industrial demand contributed to the negative pricing environment. These challenges led to decreased demand across sectors like manufacturing and construction, impacting the pricing dynamics of Diethyl Carbonate. China, in particular, witnessed significant price changes, reflecting the region's overall trend. The quarter recorded a notable -4% decrease from the previous quarter, with a -3% difference between the first and second halves. This downward trajectory continued, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 1300/MT for Diethyl Carbonate FOB Shanghai. Despite these fluctuations, the market remained stable, with no major disruptions or plant shutdowns reported during the quarter. This pricing context underscores the challenging economic conditions and uncertainties that shaped the Diethyl Carbonate market in the APAC region during Q3 2024.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the pricing trend for Diethyl Carbonate in the European region witnessed a consistent decrease, with the Netherlands experiencing the most significant price changes. Several factors influenced the market prices during this quarter. Prolonged high inflationary pressure, coupled with subdued demand fundamentals, contributed to the downward trajectory. Ongoing challenges in key sectors like manufacturing and automotive, along with disruptions in transportation and fluctuating raw material costs, added pressure on prices. The quarter also saw disruptions in supply chains and labor shortages impacting the overall market sentiment. Despite stable supply levels, weak demand from various sectors kept the pricing environment negative. The correlation in price changes between the first and second half of the quarter was notable, with a recorded -8% change. This shift reflected the prevailing market conditions and the impact of external factors on pricing dynamics. The quarter-ending price for Diethyl Carbonate CFR Rotterdam in the Netherlands stood at USD 1450/MT, marking a downward trend from the beginning of the quarter. No plant shutdowns were reported during this period, further indicating the challenging market conditions.
FAQs
1. What is the current price of Diethyl Carbonate in the global market?
As of July 2025, the Diethyl Carbonate Spot Price in Rotterdam stood at approximately USD 1270/MT, while in Shanghai, prices hovered around USD 1145/MT. The US market price varies due to import-based pricing and fluctuating freight dynamics.
2. How is the current market situation of Diethyl Carbonate globally?
Globally, the Diethyl Carbonate Demand Outlook remains steady, with strong battery-grade consumption. However, regional oversupply, trade restrictions, and macroeconomic instability continue to influence the Diethyl Carbonate Price Index.
3. Why did the Diethyl Carbonate price change in July 2025?
• In APAC, the price remained largely unchanged, supported by stable supply and demand balance.
• In Europe, the price increased due to higher BEV-related demand and sourcing adjustments.
• In North America, the price fluctuated upwards slightly due to freight-related cost pressures and cautious inventory build-up.
4. What are the key cost drivers in Diethyl Carbonate production?
The Diethyl Carbonate Production Cost Trend is influenced by raw material prices (e.g., Ethyl Alcohol, Carbon Monoxide), energy costs, and freight expenses. In 2025, cost trends have been relatively stable but are vulnerable to logistics volatility and policy changes.
