For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
Towards the third Quarter of 2022, the price of Fluoropolymers fluctuated in the North American region. In the first two months of the Quarter, the price declined because the domestic market for downstream industries weakened, and the suppliers stockpiled the product, constraining Fluoropolymers' cost. In the last month of Q3, the price of Fluoropolymers saw an upward trajectory owing to the market rebounding slightly and the moderate demand from the downstream automotive and electronic & electrical sectors in the region. The supply chain has been disrupted due to some ports in the USA being congested and delayed in delivering the materials to their destination.
Asia Pacific
During the third Quarter of 2022, the price of Fluoropolymers fell in July due to a price decline from feedstock fluorspar and the weak demand from the downstream electronics & electrical sectors. Further high inventory from the manufacturers has pushed down the price of Fluoropolymers in the Asian market. Last two months, the price saw an upward trajectory due to increased consumption from the automobile industry, bolstered by arriving off the festive season in India. With the high demand from the downstream sectors, the manufacturers have raised their quotation in the Asian market
Europe
In Europe, in the first half of the third Quarter of 2022, the Fluoropolymers decreased slightly due to weak market sentiments from the downstream electricals and electronics. The automotive sector supported the downward trend of PTFE in the German market. During the last month of the third Quarter of 2022, the price of PTFE rose, bolstered by the high operating cost to produce the product owing to the price increase in natural gas. Due to the port congestions in several German ports, the supply chain was disrupted in the country, and the product's inventory level declined in major exporting countries like Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
The North American market saw a surge in the prices of Polytetrafluoroethylene during Q2,2022, with prices ranging from USD 11675.00/ton Fluoropolymers (PTFE) CFR New York and a quarterly escalation of 1.1%, as recorded by Chem Analyst pricing team data. Higher energy prices transfer value in the economy from energy consumers to energy producers. The combination of a rebound in economic activity, and continued strain from supply chain disruptions, is increasing upward pressure on prices. Rising inflation in the region, contributed by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, causes prices to surge.
Asia
Polytetrafluoroethylene prices vary in the Asian market, with prices rising in China and falling in the Indian market in the second quarter of 2022. China, a major exporter to South Korea and Italy, sees demand for the product. This is increasing due to the expansion of the coatings sector. Whereas importing countries like Germany and the USA started using more of their own made products, reduced PTFE imports from the Indian market. This demand change from the countries caused the fluctuations in the Asian region. The prices ranged from INR 766500/ton PTFE General Moulding 610 Ex-Vadodara in India and USD 10,453/ton PTFE Fine Cut-EXW Dongying in China during June.
Europe
Polytetrafluoroethylene prices surged in the European market during the second quarter of 2022, with prices ranging at USD 9440/ton PTFE Powder form CFR Hamburg in Germany during May and a quarterly escalation of 1% as per recorded by Chem Analyst pricing team data. Escalating demand for cost-effective solutions in the region is pushing the prices in an upward direction. Surging prices of upstream feedstock Fluorspar and Ethylene due to the ongoing war between Russia caused fluctuations in the petrochemical market. Increasing freight charges was also one of the major causes for the prices to rise. Inclination in the imports from the importing countries like Italy, France, and the USA supported the market.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
PTFE prices increased consistently in the North American market throughout the first quarter. Values of feed Propylene rose during Q1, but Ethylene prices decreased in the region. Demand from electrical insulation, automotive & aerospace industries remained consistent in Q1. During March, the prices of PTFE increased due to weak supply of raw materials from Asian countries amidst the high demand for fluoropolymers from the automotive sector. Fluoropolymers prices settled at USD 11420 per tonne in March, with a consistent increase of 3% in values throughout the period.
Prices of Fluoropolymer remained stable and increased in China during Q1. In January, PTFE values decreased due to subdued demand from downstream textile and automotive sectors but rose after January when the demand for Fluoropolymer increased from importing countries. The feed Ethylene and Propylene values rose throughout the quarter. The estimated values of Fluoropolymer were USD 9656.5 per tonne in the Chinese market at the end of Q1. High demand from the automotive sector in March and disrupted supply chains further pushed up PTFE prices in Asian Market.
The European market witnessed an uptrend in the prices of Fluoropolymer in Q1 of 2022. Significantly increased feed Ethylene and Propylene values influenced Fluoropolymers production cost. Manufacturing industries in Europe import PTFE from Asian countries like India, China & South Korea. Thus, the increased values in Asia influenced the market prices of Fluoropolymer in the European region. Demand remained high from the downstream automotive & aviation sector towards the end of the quarter. Consequently, PTFE prices fluctuated in a firm range showcasing a revision between USD 250-300 per MT in Q1.
