For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in North America
- In United States, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by escalating upstream costs.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Price Forecast remained elevated as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026.
- Consumer Price Index increased 3.3% year-over-year in March 2026, while the Manufacturing Index expanded, stabilizing market conditions.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026, supporting Diethyl Phthalate demand in personal care and cosmetics.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, providing baseline support for Diethyl Phthalate consumption in industrial applications.
- The unemployment rate stabilized at 4.3% and consumer confidence reached 91.8 in March 2026, sustaining household spending.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Production Cost Trend increased as upstream crude oil prices spiked in March 2026.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Demand Outlook stabilized as health and personal care sector consumer spending strengthened in March 2026.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in March 2026 in North America?
- Upstream crude oil and mixed xylenes feedstock costs increased significantly during February and March 2026.
- South Korea restricted naphtha exports in March 2026, tightening global petrochemical feedstock availability for producers.
- Elevated energy costs and a 4.0% Producer Price Index increase in March 2026 drove prices.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in APAC
- In China, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by upstream feedstock cost pressures.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Production Cost Trend increased as factory-gate prices rose 0.5% year-over-year in March 2026.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Demand Outlook strengthened alongside a 5.7% year-over-year industrial production growth in March 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting increased packaging sector consumption during Q1 2026.
- Consumer prices grew 1.0% in March 2026, while cosmetics and personal care demand strengthened in Q1 2026.
- Retail sales grew slowly at 1.7% and unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026, limiting discretionary spending.
- Consumer confidence stood at 91.6 in February 2026, reflecting cautious household spending on premium personal care.
- Phthalic anhydride feedstock costs surged initially before retreating amid upstream supply tightness in January 2026.
- Ethanol feedstock costs stabilized in Q1 2026, influencing the Diethyl Phthalate Price Forecast toward balanced conditions.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Upstream ortho-xylene supply tightness strengthened phthalic anhydride production costs significantly across the region in January 2026.
- Fragrance and makeup formulation demand strengthened, driving increased consumption of chemical additives in Q1 2026.
- Ethanol feedstock import levels remained balanced, contributing to controlled domestic supply conditions throughout Q1 2026.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging orthoxylene feedstock costs.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026, despite PPI at -0.2%, as CPI reached 2.7%.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Demand Outlook remained constrained in March 2026, even though the Manufacturing Index expanded during this period.
- Industrial production output weakened in January 2026, and year-over-year industrial production recorded 0.0% in February 2026.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% in February 2026, while the unemployment rate stood at 4.2% during the same month.
- Consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026, which negatively impacted the Diethyl Phthalate Price Forecast.
- Orthoxylene feedstock costs and crude oil prices spiked in March 2026 following geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
- Downstream buyers actively destocked inventories throughout Q1 2026, while chemical tanker freight rates to Europe soared in March 2026.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Orthoxylene feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
- Chemical tanker freight rates from the US Gulf to Europe soared significantly in March 2026.
- Crude oil prices spiked in March 2026 following severe geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in APAC
- In Indonesia, the Diethyl Phthalate price hovered around USD 1,347/MT CFR in Q4 2025, shaped by mixed demand conditions and moderate producer pricing power.
- Demand was supported by steady industrial activity toward year-end, helping maintain consumption of plasticizers and intermediates.
- Manufacturing conditions remained expansionary in December 2025, signaling a supportive environment for industrial chemical demand.
- Production economics were influenced by feedstock availability and regional petrochemical supply conditions during the quarter.
- Subdued inflation trends indicated cautious downstream purchasing activity, limiting stronger price increases.
- Retail spending growth remained modest, reflecting restrained consumer sentiment for discretionary goods.
- Softer producer pricing conditions created some resistance to sharper price gains in the Diethyl Phthalate market.
- Consumer confidence remained measured in Q4 2025, suggesting gradual rather than rapid demand recovery.
- Industrial sectors, including manufacturing-linked industries, continued to provide baseline demand support.
- Trade flows stayed balanced, with stable regional supply preventing major price volatility.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Balanced supply conditions and stable feedstock availability kept prices from moving sharply.
- Moderate industrial demand supported consumption, while cautious consumer spending limited stronger price growth.
- Soft producer pricing power across regional industries also contributed to restrained price movement in December 2025.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in North America
- In United States, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index remained stable quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, due to the chemical industry's prolonged downcycle.
- Diethyl Phthalate production costs faced upward pressure as the Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025.
- The Producer Price Index increased 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, indicating rising input costs for production.
- Diethyl Phthalate demand outlook was supported by a 2.0% year-over-year increase in industrial production in December 2025.
- Consumer spending, driving Diethyl Phthalate demand in cosmetics, rose with retail sales up 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025.
- Robust natural gas inventories at December 2025's close provided stable energy feedstock context for chemical production.
- US chemical exports were projected to fall in 2025, impacting overall trade flows for chemicals like Diethyl Phthalate.
- Total construction spending inched up month-over-month in October 2025, offering some support for Diethyl Phthalate applications.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising Consumer Price Index (2.7% YoY in December 2025) increased overall production costs.
- The chemical industry experienced a prolonged downcycle in 2025, limiting Diethyl Phthalate price growth.
- Increased industrial production (2.0% YoY in December 2025) supported demand for Diethyl Phthalate applications.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by contracting industrial activity.
- Diethyl Phthalate production costs remained pressured in Q4 2025 due to elevated European industrial natural gas prices in November 2025.
- The Diethyl Phthalate demand outlook was mixed, with Germany's industrial output increasing by 0.8% in October 2025.
- Consumer purchasing power remained stable with a 1.8% CPI increase in December 2025, supporting some Diethyl Phthalate end-use.
- A 2.5% decline in PPI in December 2025 indicated weakening industrial demand, impacting Diethyl Phthalate consumption.
- Retail sales grew by 1.1% in November 2025, boosting demand for consumer goods utilizing Diethyl Phthalate.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in December 2025, signaling reduced industrial production and lower Diethyl Phthalate demand.
- Brent crude oil prices declined in Q4 2025, contributing to lower feedstock costs for some Diethyl Phthalate derivatives.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Weakening industrial demand, evidenced by a 2.5% PPI decline in December 2025, pressured Diethyl Phthalate prices.
- Contracting manufacturing activity in December 2025, as indicated by the Manufacturing Index, reduced Diethyl Phthalate consumption.
- Elevated European industrial natural gas prices in November 2025 maintained upward pressure on Diethyl Phthalate production costs.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by production cost increases.
- Diethyl Phthalate production costs increased in Q3 2025, influenced by a 2.6% year-over-year PPI rise in August.
- Demand for Diethyl Phthalate remained robust in Q3 2025, supported by strong retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September.
- The Diethyl Phthalate Price Forecast suggests continued cost pressures from volatile naphtha and strengthening ethanol feedstock.
- Industrial production grew modestly, up 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025, limiting overall demand expansion.
- O-xylene inventories increased in North America during Q3 2025, softening its spot prices.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, tempering discretionary spending and Diethyl Phthalate demand.
- US automotive production inched up in Q3 2025; light vehicle sales strengthened in August and September.
- Phthalic anhydride supply was anticipated to tighten in 2025 due to a major domestic producer's exit.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising production costs, with PPI up 2.6% in August 2025, pressured Diethyl Phthalate prices upward.
- Strong retail sales, up 5.42% in September 2025, supported Diethyl Phthalate demand in consumer goods.
- Increased o-xylene inventories in Q3 2025 softened spot prices for this key Diethyl Phthalate precursor.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in APAC
- In China, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index remained stable quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, reflecting balanced market dynamics.
- Diethyl Phthalate production costs were mixed; phthalic anhydride feedstock softened in Q3 2025 due to oversupply.
- Diethyl Phthalate demand was supported by increased automotive sector demand and robust flexible PVC applications in Q3 2025.
- China's industrial production grew by 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating strength for industrial Diethyl Phthalate demand.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, alongside a -2.3% year-on-year PPI, signaling industrial demand weakness.
- Retail sales increased by 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, boosting Diethyl Phthalate demand in consumer-facing applications.
- Consumer confidence at 89.6 and 5.2% unemployment in September 2025 suggested cautious spending, impacting Diethyl Phthalate.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Phthalic anhydride feedstock costs softened in Q3 2025 due to oversupply, easing Diethyl Phthalate production expenses.
- Increased automotive sector demand and 3.0% year-on-year retail sales growth in September 2025 supported Diethyl Phthalate consumption.
- A contracting Manufacturing Index and -0.3% year-on-year CPI in September 2025 indicated broader demand weakness.
Diethyl Phthalate Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Diethyl Phthalate Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
- Production costs were influenced by elevated European chemical costs, despite a -1.7% year-over-year PPI in September 2025.
- Demand for Diethyl Phthalate weakened due to a contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025.
- Industrial Production declined by 1.0% year-over-year in September 2025, reducing Diethyl Phthalate consumption.
- Abundant phthalic anhydride inventories and intensified Asian import competition pressured Diethyl Phthalate prices.
- European ethanol feedstock costs were pressured in Q3 2025, while o-xylene costs remained stable.
- Retail sales increased by 0.2% year-over-year in September 2025, offering slight support for consumer DEP applications.
- The unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3% in September 2025, supporting consumer spending and related DEP demand.
- The Diethyl Phthalate demand outlook remains subdued due to a significantly deteriorated German chemical business climate in July 2025.
Why did the price of Diethyl Phthalate change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Weakened demand from plasticizers and construction sectors, with housing activity sharply declining in September 2025.
- Lower industrial production and a contracting Manufacturing Index decreased overall Diethyl Phthalate demand.
- Abundant inventories and intensified competition from cheaper Asian imports pressured Diethyl Phthalate prices.
