For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index fell by 14.42% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting imports.
• The average Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 1671.67/MT reported.
• Inventory builds and arrivals pushed Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Spot Price and Price Index lower.
• Market signals and freight reductions shaped the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Forecast downward moderately.
• Declining propylene oxide costs eased margins, influencing the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Production Cost Trend.
• Resilient household demand offset weak coatings volumes, keeping Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Demand Outlook cautious.
• High port inventories and cheap Asian offers weighed on Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index.
• Selective forward buying ahead of tariff noise briefly supported offers, yet Price Forecast remained bearish.
Why did the price of Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether change in September 2025 in North America?
• Cheaper Chinese exports with lower freight rates reduced landed costs and pressured domestic buying activity.
• Elevated inventories at coastal hubs and weak coatings and FMCG demand reduced immediate offtake significantly.
• Feedstock propylene oxide declines eased production costs while tariff uncertainty encouraged buyers delay spot purchases.
APAC
• In China, the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index fell by 13.48% quarter-over-quarter, driven by oversupply.
• The average Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 1551.67/MT delivered.
• China's Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Spot Price weakened as exporters discounted cargoes to clear inventories amid sluggish buying.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Forecast suggests modest volatility with intermittent upticks due to temporary inventory adjustments.
• Propylene oxide easing influenced the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Production Cost Trend, supporting margins despite weak demand.
• Domestic Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Demand Outlook remains muted, constrained by FMCG and coatings sector seasonality and destocking.
• High inventories and export competition pressured the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index despite occasional procurement restoring stability.
• Major Chinese producers maintained production rates, with only limited maintenance, keeping flows ample and pricing leverage minimal.
Why did the price of Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Oversupply from domestic producers and high inventories forced sellers to discount, compressing market Price Index.
• Lower propylene oxide costs reduced production cost trend, while monsoon logistics disruptions delayed inland deliveries.
• Soft domestic FMCG and coatings demand plus weak export enquiries reduced bids across spot markets.
Europe
• In Europe, the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index fell by 9.87% quarter-over-quarter, driven by weak coatings demand and competitive import flows.
• Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Spot Price remained under pressure in September as inventories rose and downstream demand softened.
• Market sentiment and declining freight costs shaped the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Forecast with a bearish tilt.
• Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Production Cost Trend eased slightly due to lower propylene oxide input costs and stable energy rates.
• Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Demand Outlook remained cautious, with household and cleaning sectors showing resilience while coatings and printing applications lagged.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index reflected oversupply and margin compression amid rising Asian imports and subdued domestic consumption.
• Seasonal procurement delays and macroeconomic uncertainty limited spot activity, keeping offers rangebound despite selective restocking.
Why did the price of Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Weak demand from coatings and printing sectors reduced spot buying, softening the Price Index.
• Competitive Asian imports and elevated inventories across key terminals pressured domestic pricing.
• Declining feedstock costs and cautious procurement strategies amid economic uncertainty capped any upward momentum.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
APAC
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index in China showed high volatility: a 4% drop in April, a 5% rebound in May, and a sharp 10% decline in June. This reflects fluctuating raw material prices, PSVME oversupply, export adjustments, and variable downstream consumption.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Spot Price (FOB Qingdao) shifted from USD 1800/MT in April, rising in May, then falling to USD 1690/MT in June.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Production Cost Trend mirrored input trends: propylene oxide and methanol dropped sharply in April, stabilized in May, then declined again in June.
• Why prices changed in July 2025
o In July, the Price Index continued to decrease, due to cooling downstream demand in coatings, FMCG, and NEV-related sectors, easing feedstock prices, and inventory overhang.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Demand Outlook remains cautious; consumption from personal care and industrial coatings is steady but lacking a strong recovery.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Forecast suggests continued softness into Q3 unless global export orders pick up or downstream restocking resumes.
North America (USA)
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index in the U.S. followed a similar pattern: −4% in April, +5% in May, and −10% in June.
• In Los Angeles markets, the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Spot Price (CFR) moved from USD 1955/MT in April, to USD 2055/MT in May, then dropped in June.
• The Production Cost Trend was shaped by falling methanol and propylene oxide costs, partially offset by high freight and logistical constraints.
• Why prices changed in July 2025
o The Price Index slipped further in July, driven by continued weak coatings and personal care procurement, surplus import availability, and stable-to-lower input costs.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Demand Outlook suggests moderate demand in the FMCG and coatings sectors, but constrained by consumer caution and sluggish industrial activity.
• The Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Forecast indicates potential for further price softness unless infrastructure or consumer-facing sectors rebound.
Europe
• Pricing trends mirrored global movements, with the Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Price Index showing mixed fluctuations linked to upstream volatility and downstream demand swings.
• While detailed spot pricing isn’t available, Europe’s import dependence and feedstock cycles caused intermittent upward and downward movements in the index.
• Why prices changed in July 2025
o The Price Index likely declined moderately, factoring in eased raw material costs, soft industrial demand in coatings and adhesives, and subdued procurement activity from downstream users.
• The Production Cost Trend stabilized as logistics costs eased and input feedstock prices softened.
• The Demand Outlook remained cautious, with slow recovery in construction, packaging, and personal care sectors delaying stronger consumption.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
North America's Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether market in Q1 2025 experienced subdued demand driven by economic uncertainty and elevated borrowing costs, which constrained construction activity and downstream sectors such as paints and coatings.
Supply conditions improved due to steady imports and excess domestic inventory, exerting downward pressure on prices. While the personal care segment showed resilience, it was insufficient to offset weaker industrial demand, resulting in a generally bearish market sentiment that persisted through the quarter.
In the USA, prices declined marginally by 0.4% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging USD 2002/MT in the current quarter. Monthly data reveal a consistent downward trend, reflecting subdued industrial demand and improved supply availability. High borrowing costs and inflation dampened construction-related consumption, while steady imports from China maintained ample inventories. The overall market remains bearish with a near-term outlook indicating modest price recovery potential in subsequent months.
Asia
In the APAC region during Q1 2025, Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether demand exhibited mixed signals, with subdued activity in construction and industrial sectors tempering overall consumption. While supply remained stable, driven by consistent production and export flows, demand was buoyed by growth in automotive and personal care segments. Inventory levels were generally adequate, reflecting cautious procurement amid economic uncertainties and policy-driven project delays. The regional market sentiment was cautiously optimistic, with early quarter weakness giving way to moderate recovery prospects. China's Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether prices rose by 2.89% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging USD 1842/MT. Despite this quarterly increase, monthly data reveal a bearish intra-quarter trend, with prices declining from January through March. This price behavior reflects strong automotive sector demand counterbalanced by weakening construction activity and subdued domestic consumption. The overall trend is cautiously bearish, with near-term outlook dependent on export demand and stabilization in key end-use industries.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European market for Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (DPGME) experienced notable price fluctuations, influenced by sectoral demands and economic conditions. January saw a modest price increase due to steady demand from the coatings and paints industry, particularly in Southern Europe where milder winter conditions supported construction activities. However, February witnessed a slight dip as the automotive sector faced challenges, with companies like Volvo announcing significant job cuts amid declining sales and revenues, citing unprecedented industry challenges. This downturn in the automotive industry tempered demand for DPGME derivatives used in vehicle manufacturing.
March brought renewed price pressures, driven by rising raw material costs, particularly for propylene oxide, and supply constraints due to production disruptions from maintenance and unplanned shutdowns. Additionally, logistical challenges increased delivery times and costs, further tightening the market and pushing prices upward.
The construction sector showed signs of recovery, with EUROFER forecasting a 1.1% growth in 2025 after years of decline. This resurgence, supported by EU funding and infrastructure projects, bolstered demand for DPGME in construction-related applications.
Overall, Europe's DPGME market in Q1 2025 was shaped by a recovering construction sector and a struggling automotive industry, leading to a nuanced pricing landscape influenced by varying sectoral demands and economic factors.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (DPGME) market exhibited an overall upward price trend in Q4 2024, driven by evolving supply and demand dynamics. While the quarter began with subdued prices due to a decline in feedstock costs, including propylene and methanol, the latter half witnessed a notable recovery in prices.
Early-quarter declines were influenced by weak demand from downstream industries such as paints and coatings, which faced challenges from a fluctuating construction sector. High inventory levels, coupled with minimal supply chain disruptions, further exerted downward pressure on prices during this period.
In contrast, the second half of the quarter saw a reversal in price trends, supported by improved demand from the food, cosmetics, and residential housing sectors. Seasonal growth in these industries and festive demand spurred consumption, while supply constraints—caused by maintenance activities and logistical bottlenecks—tightened availability. Additionally, rising operational costs, including elevated energy prices and logistical inefficiencies, prompted producers to adjust pricing strategies.
This combination of recovering industrial demand, constrained supply, and strategic inventory management led to an overall inclining price trend for DPGME in North America during Q4 2024.
APAC
The APAC market for Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (DPGME) experienced an overall upward price trend during Q4 2024, driven by dynamic shifts in both supply and demand. Early in the quarter, prices faced pressure from weak demand and high inventories, particularly in China. Economic stimulus measures supported manufacturing growth, but their initial impact was offset by a subdued global economic outlook, slowing downstream demand in sectors like paints, coatings, and chemicals. Furthermore, the depreciation of the yuan against the USD enhanced the competitiveness of Chinese exports but added volatility to pricing patterns.
In the latter half of the quarter, DPGME prices rebounded significantly, fueled by a combination of constrained supply and strengthening demand. Maintenance activities, limited feedstock availability, and higher raw material costs, including propylene derivatives, tightened supply chains. Meanwhile, demand grew in key industries such as coatings, automotive, and construction, with a notable recovery in industrial applications like shipbuilding, furniture manufacturing, and machinery. Strategic stockpiling by downstream buyers amid market uncertainties further elevated prices.
This dual-phase trend highlights the interplay between weak early-quarter performance and late-quarter recovery, leading to a net incline in DPGME prices across the APAC region.
Europe
The European market for Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (DPGME) exhibited a mixed price trend in Q4 2024, shaped by varying supply and demand dynamics. Early in the quarter, prices faced downward pressure due to weak demand from key industries like automotive and construction. Economic uncertainties across Europe weighed heavily on industrial activity, with seasonality further dampening consumption in downstream applications such as coatings, inks, and cleaners. Additionally, competitive pressures from alternative solvents contributed to lower prices as buyers sought cost-effective solutions.
However, the latter half of the quarter saw a rebound in DPGME prices. Supply constraints emerged due to production disruptions from maintenance and unplanned shutdowns, coupled with logistical challenges that increased delivery times and costs. Rising raw material costs, particularly for propylene oxide, further tightened the market, pushing prices upward. At the same time, selective recovery in sectors like packaging and specialty chemicals supported a gradual increase in demand.
This dual-phase trajectory of early-quarter declines followed by late-quarter recovery reflects the interplay of economic, seasonal, and supply-driven factors, resulting in an overall mixed trend for DPGME prices in Europe.
