For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Fumed Silica Price Index fell by 1.62% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weather disruptions.
• The average Fumed Silica price for the quarter was approximately USD 6273.33/MT, amid higher feedstock costs.
• Fumed Silica Spot Price showed constrained gains as inventory and Asian offers limited upward pressure.
• Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend rose as silicon tetrachloride and energy inflation raised manufacturing expenses.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook remained mixed with weak paints and construction, offset by infrastructure orders.
• Fumed Silica Price Forecast expects modest Q4 support ahead, but inventories could cap upside momentum.
• Port congestion and container shortages constrained exports, tightening supply, keeping Fumed Silica Price Index supported.
• Producers operated at stable utilization adjusting runs, balancing margins amid tariff uncertainty and logistical costs.
Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in September 2025 in North America?
• Supply hit by extreme weather and port delays reduced effective availability, providing short-term price support.
• The downturn was fueled by a 18% plunge in silicon tetrachloride prices, driven by softening chlor-alkali markets and stable energy costs, providing ample cost relief for producers.
• Weaker exports and subdued paints and construction demand softened offtake, offsetting pricing pressure in September.
APAC
• In Japan, the Fumed Silica Price Index fell by 1.46% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued downstream demand and front-loading.
• The average Fumed Silica price for the quarter was approximately USD 5186.67/MT, reported by market participants.
• Fumed Silica Spot Price remained pressured by weak coatings demand and cautious procurement strategies across domestic buyers.
• Fumed Silica Price Forecast signals seasonal gains ahead while Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend reflects increasing input and energy costs.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook remains soft due to rainy season, construction delays, and competitive pricing in paints and coatings.
• Inventory levels remained cautious with limited drawdowns; extended lead times and higher imports supported revised offering prices.
• Export demand fluctuated, South Korea imports surged in June while domestic plants operated steadily without major shutdowns.
• Market participants expect restocking into Q4; Fumed Silica Price Forecast includes modest upside risk from holiday season demand.
Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Subdued domestic demand from paints and construction reduced immediate offtake, exerting downward pressure on prices.
• Longer lead times and strategic ahead buying supported prices despite weak consumption and cautious procurement.
• Rising input and energy costs plus inventory management tightened availability, offsetting some bearish export and logistics impacts.
Europe
• In France, the Fumed Silica Price Index fell by 1.678% quarter-over-quarter, driven by supply constraints.
• The average Fumed Silica price for the quarter was approximately USD 5273.33/MT, reflecting market uncertainty.
• Fumed Silica Spot Price tightened in September as forward buying and export enquiries raised spot availability pressure.
• Fumed Silica Price Forecast expects modest monthly volatility with seasonal uptick supporting slightly firmer prices.
• Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend reflects higher silica and silicon tetrachloride feedstock and rising freight.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook subdued across paints and construction; export restocking could offset some weakness.
• Fumed Silica Price Index volatility stemmed from low distributor inventories and Northern European port congestion.
• Regional producers ran steady utilization, while smaller plant cuts and imports balanced short-term market equilibrium.
Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Elevated input costs and silicon tetrachloride increases raised production costs, pressuring prices despite weak demand.
• Severe Northern European port congestion prolonged lead times, prompting forward buying and tightening available volumes.
• Holiday season and cautious downstream procurement reduced consumption, while export restocking and buying supported prices.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Fumed Silica Price Index in North America declined marginally by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, reaching USD 6,380/MT FOB New York.
• This slight price decrease was primarily supported by subdued demand from key downstream sectors such as construction and paints & coatings.
• Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in July 2025 in the US?
In early July 2025, the Price Index remained stable as summer procurement slowed after pre-season stockpiling, while weather-induced supply disruptions and tariff concerns added moderate support to domestic prices.
• The Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend stayed elevated, driven by rising upstream silicon tetrachloride prices, port congestion at Houston, and costly logistics linked to extreme weather such as floods and wildfires.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook remained low while strategic stockpiling occurred in June, broader export demand weakened, with a 29.3% drop in U.S. export volumes. Higher construction input costs and competitive pressure in paints and coatings also softened overall consumption.
• Export momentum of Fumed Silica declined significantly due to weakened global orders, tariff-driven uncertainties, and greater competitiveness from Asian suppliers offering lower-priced material.
• Domestic procurement within the U.S. was driven more by inventory planning and tariff anticipation than by real-time end-use demand. Despite the addition of 15,000 construction jobs in June, weak project pipelines and cost inflation limited downstream expansion.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Fumed Silica Price Index in APAC decreased by 2.5% quarter-on-quarter, ending at USD 4,410/MT FOB Shanghai. This price decrease masked underlying volatility as cost-push factors clashed with demand-side weakness.
• Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in July 2025 in China?
In early July 2025, the Price Index remained declined, as demand from end-use sectors continued to be weighed down by monsoons and off-seasonal trends, while upstream costs and delayed deliveries due to flooding maintained pricing pressure.
• The Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend remained elevated—while upstream silica prices rose by 1.6%, inland freight and port congestion also pushed up conversion costs significantly.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook remains subdued as downstream industries showed minimal recovery. The domestic construction sector suffered from seasonal rains and weak momentum, while international demand stayed low amid soft sentiment, especially in South Korea, where imports from China declined sharply.
• Export momentum of Fumed Silica weakened during the quarter, notably with a 40.4% drop in Chinese exports to South Korea during June. Market activity was further curtailed by public holidays and adverse weather.
• Domestic procurement in China’s key regions such as Hunan and Guangdong was delayed or reduced due to flooding, limited construction activity, and increased competition within the coatings market, leaving traders cautious ahead of the Q3 demand cycle.
Europe
• Fumed Silica Price Index in Germany rebound marginally by 0.4% through Q2, settling at USD 4920/MT FD Hamburg. Despite soft downstream demand, prices remained supported by elevated production costs and regional port congestion.
• Why did the price of Fumed Silica change in July 2025 in Germany?
In early July 2025, prices stayed flat as sluggish construction activity and weak coatings demand were balanced by high input costs and logistical friction.
• The Fumed Silica Price Forecast for early Q3 shows limited room for price growth, with ongoing summer demand suppression and macroeconomic weakness. Any upward pressure may come from logistics issues or silicon-based cost inflation.
• The Fumed Silica Production Cost Trend remained high due to rising electricity and labor costs in Germany, alongside steady raw material prices and congestion at key ports such as Hamburg and Bremen.
• Fumed Silica Demand Outlook remains muted across Germany. The construction sector remained soft due to declining permit approvals, and the paints & coatings market continues to experience oversupply.
• Export momentum from Germany slowed during Q2, as high domestic prices reduced competitiveness and a stronger Euro softened overseas buying. Exports to Poland and France declined notably.
• Domestic procurement in Germany was largely need-based, with minimal stockpiling. Buyers showed preference for lower-cost imports, while producers managed tight margins amid weak industrial demand.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American Fumed Silica market declined followed by an uptrend during the first quarter of 2025. Quarterly, the fumed silica market in the USA has declined by 0.7% compared with the Q4 of 2024. During January 2025, the fumed silica market in the USA increased due to the extreme winter season which disrupted the supply chain dynamics. The fridge-like temperature has blocked several transportation routes which lengthened the supply delivery times.
However, as February 2025 progressed, the Fumed Silica prices in the USA unexpectedly declined by 1% as new orders for Fumed Silica declined due to the struggling downstream construction market. Moreover, the peace deal in the ILA strike has eased the supply chain pressure during February 2025.
Despite the high performance of the downstream construction and paints and coating sector, the new orders for Fumed Silica remained subdued during March 2025. Moreover, market participants have raised concerns about economic uncertainty, particularly related to potential tariffs and evolving immigration policies which declined consumer confidence. Additionally, the export orders have also been sluggish which further supported the bearish trend.
APAC
The fumed Silica market in the APAC region for Q1 2025 has experienced stability followed by a significant decrease. The Fumed Silica market in South Korea declined during January 2025 by 4% due to low demand from the downstream construction sector which reduced consumer confidence. Moreover, as the South Korean Won strengthened against the US dollar during January 2025, the import prices from China became cheaper which declined the imported fumed silica prices. After witnessing a decline, the Fumed Silica market in South Korea remained unchanged during February 2025 amid cautious procurement due to the uncertainty created by the potential threat of tariffs to China which led consumers to defensively procure the material in the global market. Additionally, Chinese market participants maintained their existing pricing strategy, reflecting a balance between supply and demand which affected the import prices to settle at USD 4580/ MT Fumed Silica CFR Busan during March 2025. While the intra-freight charges decreased in March, extended delivery times helped to maintain a balanced supply situation, preventing any significant price fluctuations during the month.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the Fumed Silica market in Europe experienced a period of mixed trend. During January 2025, fumed silica prices in the Netherlands dropped by 1% against the backdrop of low demand from the downstream construction sector which lowered the market enthusiasm. Moreover, the potential tariffs on Europe from the USA have further dwindled the procurement activity which led the manufacturers to revise their offers negatively during this timeframe. After witnessing the continuous decline, the Fumed Silica market rebounded during February 2025 due to escalating trade tensions which created an artificial demand to procure the goods before the significant rise.
While the delivery charges have lengthened due to lower water levels of the Rhine River and several port congestions due to labor strikes, it was not enough to offset the lower trend during March 2025 as demand for the Fumed Silica market was weak due to the lower performance of the downstream construction and paints and coating sector in Belgium.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Fumed Silica market declined in December followed by an uptrend during the fourth quarter of 2024. Due to the rebound in the downstream construction sector, the sales volume of Fumed Silica has surged simultaneously during October 2024. The Election uncertainty has increased consumer sentiments which created an upward pressure on the overall market.
During November 2024, the supply chain activity registered disruption which led to higher freight charges due to the labor strike. Additionally, the Thanksgiving holiday following the victory of Trump increased consumer confidence which led Fumed Silica manufacturers to increase their offered quotations to align with the market trend during this timeframe.
However, the Fumed Silica market witnessed a price decline in December 2024. This downturn was attributed to several factors, including a surge in destocking activities across the industry, weakening demand from key construction sectors, and aggressive discounting by major manufacturers which have eroded market confidence and exerted significant downward pressure on Fumed Silica prices.
APAC
Fumed Silica pricing in the APAC region for Q4 2024 has experienced a significant decrease, followed by an uptrend. In October 2024, the rebound in the downstream construction sector led to a significant increase in Fumed Silica sales. Additionally, the post-National Day holiday period in China and Taiwan boosted consumer confidence, exerting upward pressure on the market. However, after witnessing the hike, the Fumed Silica prices in Japan marginally declined during November 2024 amid sufficient inventory backups. Storms in Japan significantly disrupted logistics for Fumed Silica exporters, resulting in longer delivery times and increased freight charges. Despite these challenges, Fumed Silica prices in Japan declined during November. This downturn was primarily driven by weak demand from the downstream construction and coating sectors. New orders decreased domestically, while international demand stagnated. Furthermore, early destocking activities by manufacturers led to increased discounting, offsetting the impact of higher logistical costs and ultimately forcing suppliers to lower their quotations. Moreover, in December, the downstream construction market experienced a seasonal slowdown, leading to a bearish market sentiment.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Fumed Silica market in Europe experienced a period of mixed trend. During October 2024, the price drop was attributed to a decline in new orders stemming from a weak performance in the downstream construction sector. Consumer sentiment remained subdued amidst a surge in the inflation rate. The post-peak shipping season witnessed a decline in demand for shipping containers, leading to lower freight charges and shorter delivery times. However, as November proceeded, the Fumed Silica prices rebounded, despite a decline in the downstream construction sector. Moreover, several domestic producers considered price increases to remain competitive with the market dynamics during this timeframe. Expectedly, the Fumed Silica prices in Germany again declined by 2% during December 2024 to settle at USD 4920/ MT Fumed Silica FOB Hamburg as several manufacturers have provided heavy discounts due to a surge in destocking activities across the industry. Major Fumed Silica manufacturers including Evonik have announced large discounts during December which exerted significant downward pressure on Fumed Silica prices.
