For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American glass fibre market experienced a dynamic yet overall bearish trajectory, shaped by shifting trade policies, supply chain adjustments, and evolving procurement strategies. The quarter began with strong bullish momentum in January, driven by aggressive restocking and heightened demand from key downstream sectors like automotive and construction. This surge was largely influenced by concerns surrounding impending trade restrictions and seasonal recovery in business activity.
However, the market quickly shifted gears in February and March, registering a combined decline of over 5% in prices due to growing uncertainty around antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations targeting Chinese fiberglass products. Despite stable end-user demand, buyers adopted a cautious stance, strategically depleting inventories and diversifying sources to non-tariffed regions such as Mexico and Malaysia.
The softening was further supported by reduced freight costs and oversupply conditions as global producers competed to maintain market share. Meanwhile, demand from the automotive sector remained robust, with vehicle sales showing strong year-over-year growth, but this was not sufficient to counterbalance the prevailing bearish sentiment.
Overall, Q1 2025 reflected a market caught between resilient demand and cautious procurement, shaped largely by geopolitical headwinds and evolving global trade dynamics.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the glass fibre market in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Malaysia, displayed a relatively stable yet nuanced trend shaped by a balance between resilient supply dynamics and fluctuating demand. January saw a strong rebound in market activity with a 10.3% increase in prices, driven by aggressive restocking and heightened international demand ahead of anticipated trade disruptions.
Despite subdued domestic automotive sales, international buyers engaged in proactive procurement, boosting overall consumption. This momentum carried into February, where prices remained steady as production stabilized despite cost pressures from rising feedstock prices and logistical challenges. Although domestic automotive sales surged by nearly 25% month-on-month, export orders remained subdued due to tariff-related uncertainties in key international markets. By March, prices dipped slightly by 1.1% as supply continued to outpace demand. Robust domestic production, supported by favourable government incentives and stable logistics, ensured minimal disruption. Simultaneously, automotive activity rebounded again, particularly in anticipation of festive demand, supporting consistent glass fibre usage. While international demand fluctuated due to trade-related caution, domestic sectors such as construction, automotive, and aerospace provided a steady consumption base.
Overall, the quarter reflected a resilient but cautious market, marked by stable supply chains and demand buoyed by structural sectoral growth.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European glass fibre market, particularly in Germany, experienced dynamic yet stabilizing trends driven by shifting global trade flows, robust demand, and evolving regulatory landscapes. January saw a significant price rebound of 10.3%, fuelled by aggressive restocking and heightened demand from the automotive sector, as buyers moved to secure volumes ahead of anticipated tariff implementations. This momentum was further supported by rising production costs and temporary supply constraints caused by extreme weather and port congestion.
In February, prices remained stable, bolstered by a marginal uptick in new orders and defensive purchasing amid continued trade uncertainty. Though the automotive sector struggled with a 6.4% year-on-year decline in vehicle registrations, business confidence improved, encouraging firms to increase procurement. By March, prices declined slightly by 0.9%, primarily due to a more competitive supply from Malaysia, which gained prominence following EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports. Malaysia’s consistent export capacity and cost-effective supply helped balance the market.
Meanwhile, Germany's glass fiber demand remained strong across key sectors including construction, aerospace, and renewable energy. The quarter highlighted a resilient demand environment tempered by cautious purchasing strategies and supply chain adjustments amid shifting geopolitical and trade conditions.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Glass Fiber market experienced a significant decline in prices throughout the fourth quarter of 2024. Despite a rebound in the automotive sector during October 2024, consumer sentiment remained subdued due to uncertainty surrounding the Presidential Election, leading to subdued trading activity. Ample domestic supplies from previous stockpiles further pressured Glass Fiber prices downward.
The post-peak shipping season resulted in reduced demand for shipping containers, leading to lower freight charges. This, coupled with an influx of cheaper imported volumes, intensified competition and put downward pressure on prices. The surplus inventory also provided a buffer for manufacturers, enabling them to delay replenishment orders.
Aggressive destocking activities, coupled with weakening demand from key downstream automotive sectors have eroded market demand and exerted significant downward pressure on Glass Fiber prices. Moreover, the typical holiday seasonal slowdown has declined consumer confidence in the USA which created a bearish market environment during December 2024. Henceforth, despite a surge in freight charges from Asia to the USA boosted by frontloading in anticipation of potential tariff hikes, supply chain activity remained smooth during December 2024.
APAC
Glass Fiber pricing in the APAC region for Q4 2024 has seen a notable decline, followed by immense stability. Glass Fiber prices in Malaysia remained stable at USD 960/MT E-Glass Fiber FOB Tanjung Pelepas in October 2024. This stability occurred despite a dip in sales from the automotive sector. Retail sales in Malaysia's downstream automotive sector declined by four percent in October 2024, reaching 69,859 units compared to 76,173 units in the same month of the previous year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). Intense competition among manufacturers prevented price adjustments, with companies maintaining consistent quotations. The ending of the peak shipping season in October led to a decrease in container demand and subsequently lower freight charges. However, severe flash flooding in Kuala Lumpur disrupted the Malaysian supply chain, partially offsetting the impact of declining freight costs. However, as December 2024 approached, heavy discounts offered by manufacturers to clear inventory amid a surge in destocking activities across the industry led market players to decrease their prices.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Glass Fiber market in Europe experienced a mixed trend. In October 2024, Glass Fiber prices faced downward pressure amid a decline in new orders. Despite a rebound in the automotive sector, consumer sentiment remained subdued due to a surge in inflation. Moreover, ample domestic supplies from previous stockpiles further weakened demand. The post-peak shipping season resulted in lower container demand, reducing freight charges and shortening delivery times. The influx of cheaper imported volumes intensified competition and exerted downward pressure on prices. This, combined with surplus inventory, enabled manufacturers to delay replenishment orders. However, during November 2024, the Glass Fiber prices in Germany rebounded amid robust demand for glass fiber has emerged from the reviving automotive industry, a crucial material for numerous automotive applications. Furthermore, port congestion caused by flash floods in Malaysia has disrupted importations from key suppliers, leading to extended shipping times. Expectedly, during December 2024, aggressive destocking activities across the industry led several manufacturers, to offer significant discounts to clear inventory. These heavy discounts exerted significant downward pressure on Glass Fiber market prices.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Glass Fiber market experienced a notable decline in prices, primarily influenced by oversupply and market competition.
However, during July 2024, despite subdued demand from key sectors like automotive, the market was characterized by challenges in the supply chain and increased freight costs due to geopolitical tensions which led to an increase in price trends.
While, the ease in freight charges offset any upward trajectory and aggressive promotional discounts offered by Chinese manufacturers due to intensified competition in the market, putting downward pressure on imported Glass Fiber prices in the USA. These factors created a bearish sentiment, leading to reduced demand and competitive pricing dynamics. The USA, witnessing significant price changes, saw a downward trend, with prices dropping by 11% from the previous quarter. Despite a slight improvement in the automotive industry, overall trends remained negative, reflecting a market struggling to find stability. The quarter ended with a price of USD 1170/MT for E-Glass Fiber CFR New York, underscoring the prevailing downward pricing environment in the region.
APAC
Glass Fiber pricing in the APAC region for Q3 2024 has seen a notable increase, primarily influenced by a variety of factors. The market has experienced a challenging quarter characterized by a significant increase in prices. Despite the slowdown in the downstream automotive sector, the Glass Fiber market in South Korea witnessed a surge during July 2024 which was ascribed to a logistical disruption resulting from the rainy season and floods. Concurrently, Malaysia, a prominent Glass Fiber exporter, has observed an increase in production expenses. The escalation in prices can be attributed to the transfer of these escalated expenses to significant importers within Asia. While, the automotive industry, a key user of Glass Fiber, saw a decline in demand throughout the third quarter which somewhat declined consumer confidence. However, due to consistent logistical issues, purchasers were forced by the state of the market to obtain limited supply at elevated costs which elevated the costs of the product during this timeframe.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Glass Fiber market in Europe experienced a downturn, with prices decreasing significantly, followed by an uptrend. During July 2024, the supply chain was severely disrupted by the start of the rainy season, which led to bullish sentiment in the Glass Fiber market. Moreover, the maintenance at the North Sea further hampered the supply chain activity. Concurrently, Malaysia, a prominent Glass Fiber exporter, has observed an increase in production expenses. However, the market was influenced by low demand from key sectors like the automotive industry, which faced challenges due to decreased consumer confidence during August 2024. Additionally, high inventory levels and easing freight rates added downward pressure on prices during September 2024. The imbalance between supply and demand exacerbated the decline. Germany, in particular, saw the most significant price changes, reflecting the overall market trend. Compared to the same quarter last year, prices were notably lower. The quarter saw a 13% decrease from the previous quarter, with prices dropping further by 7% in the second half. The quarter ended with Glass Fiber priced at USD 1100/MT of E-Glass Fiber CFR Hamburg in Germany.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed a significant escalation in Glass Fiber prices across the North American market, driven by a confluence of factors. A primary influence has been the persistent supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by port congestion and high freight charges, which have significantly constrained the availability of Glass Fiber.
While April 2024 showcased a declining trend for Glass Fiber amidst large discounts provided by Asian manufacturers, the overall trend for the second quarter remained bullish. Focusing on the USA, which experienced the most pronounced price shifts, the market dynamics were shaped by a robust rise in demand, particularly from the downstream automotive sector. The sector's strong performance in May, with new vehicle sales surging and aggressive deal-making, amplified the demand for Glass Fiber. This seasonal uptrend, coupled with high freight costs and capacity limitations, has bolstered prices significantly.
Concluding the quarter, the price of E-Glass Fiber CFR New York stood at USD 1220/MT during June 2024, reflecting a consistently bullish sentiment throughout the period. Comparatively, the price of Glass Fiber in the USA has shown a 7% increase from the previous quarter, and an astonishing 26% jump when comparing the first and second halves of the quarter, underscoring the upward trajectory.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Glass Fiber market in the APAC region experienced a notable upward price trend, largely influenced by several significant factors. Regional trade events and new subsidies for energy-efficient vehicles bolstered demand, enhancing market sentiment. The overall manufacturing sector saw significant growth, further intensifying the demand for Glass Fiber. Meanwhile, the market also faced supply chain disruptions, including port congestion and logistical bottlenecks, which limited the availability of Glass Fiber and contributed to price increases. Although the Asian producers offered significant reductions in April 2024, which resulted in a falling trend for Glass Fiber, the overall trend for the second quarter remained positive. Focusing on South Korea, the country witnessed the most significant price changes within the region. The overall trends indicated a positive pricing environment characterized by increasing prices due to heightened demand from the automotive sector and supply constraints. This trend was further exacerbated by the depreciation of the South Korean Won, which made imports more expensive during June 2024. The price of E-Glass Fiber CFR Busan concluded the quarter at USD 940/MT, underscoring an overall positive sentiment in the Glass Fiber sector for South Korea.
Europe
The Glass Fiber market in Europe experienced a notable upward trajectory in prices during Q2 2024. However, April 2024 witnessed declining prices due to a decline in sales of the downstream construction and automotive sector which reduced the Glass Fiber buying activity, yet the overall market trend was bullish. This quarter was marked by significant supply chain disruptions which exacerbated the already strained market. These disruptions, coupled with elevated freight charges due to port congestion and unseasonal demand for ocean freight from Asia, created a perfect storm, driving prices upwards during May 2024. The European Commission's extension of anti-dumping measures on imports from China and Egypt aimed to protect domestic production but inadvertently contributed to higher prices by limiting supply. Focusing specifically on Germany, which witnessed the most pronounced price changes, the market saw an overall bullish trend. The seasonal uptick in automotive sales further tightened supply, pushing prices higher. Compared to the previous quarter, there was a 4% increase in prices, demonstrating a consistent rise across the board. The latest quarter-ending price for E-Glass Fiber CFR Hamburg in Germany stood at USD 1140/MT, underscoring a robust and positive pricing environment.
