For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
• In China, the Gluconic Acid Price Index rose by 6.42% quarter-over-quarter, driven by rising feedstock costs and robust FMCG demand.
• The average Gluconic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 508.33/MT, FOB Qingdao, reflecting domestic market strength.
• Gluconic Acid Spot Price strengthened as domestic Price Index rose, reflecting constrained availability and higher processing energy.
• Gluconic Acid Production Cost Trend showed upward pressure from glucose feedstock and rising energy tariffs across Chinese producers.
• Gluconic Acid Demand Outlook remains positive for premium FMCG and export channels, supporting sustained price resilience.
• Gluconic Acid Price Forecast suggests mild volatility as export demand tightened inventories, while producers maintained firm offers.
• Domestic manufacturing base limited freight exposure, yet environmental controls and destocking influenced Gluconic Acid Price Index upward.
Why did the price of Gluconic Acid change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Rising glucose feedstock and energy costs increased production expenses, directly pressuring Gluconic Acid prices domestically.
• Strong FMCG and export orders absorbed supply, tightening availability and elevating Gluconic Acid Price Index.
• Logistics and regulatory enforcement increased operational costs and reduced discounting, sustaining higher Gluconic Acid prices.
North America
• The Price Index of Gluconic Acid in North America fluctuated throughout Q3 2025, reflecting variability in production costs and downstream demand. The Gluconic Acid Spot Price showed intermittent increases and decreases driven by feedstock availability and industrial demand.
• Why prices in September 2025 Changed: Prices increased in September 2025 due to higher demand from the food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and construction sectors, coupled with constrained production at key facilities leading to tighter inventories.
• Gluconic Acid is primarily used in food and beverage (as acidity regulators and sequestrants), pharmaceuticals (chelating agents and mineral supplements), construction chemicals (concrete admixtures), and cleaning agents. Growth in eco-friendly cleaning products supported consumption.
• Production Cost Trend: The Gluconic Acid Production Cost Trend rose moderately in Q3 due to higher costs of glucose feedstock and energy.
• Demand Outlook: The Gluconic Acid Demand Outlook remains robust for Q4 2025, supported by expansion in the food, pharmaceutical, and cleaning chemicals sectors. The Gluconic Acid Price Forecast indicates potential further upward adjustments in early Q4 if supply tightness persists.
Europe
• The Price Index of Gluconic Acid in Europe fluctuated in Q3 2025, influenced by feedstock availability, industrial demand, and import/export dynamics. The Gluconic Acid Spot Price remained volatile, with mid-quarter dips and late-quarter recovery.
• Why prices in September 2025 Changed: Prices decreased in September 2025 due to lower demand from construction chemicals and slower growth in food manufacturing, alongside easing raw material costs.
• Key applications include food additives, pharmaceuticals, metal surface treatment, and cleaning products. Seasonal slowdown in construction-related chemical usage affected total consumption.
• Production Cost Trend: The Gluconic Acid Production Cost Trend eased slightly due to lower energy prices and improved feedstock availability across European production facilities.
• Demand Outlook: The Gluconic Acid Demand Outlook for Q4 2025 is stable, with moderate growth expected from the pharmaceutical and food sectors. The Gluconic Acid Price Forecast anticipates minor upward correction if export demand from Asia increases.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The Gluconic Acid Price Index in China remained volatile during Q2 2025, with a brief dip in April and May and settled at USD 469/MT, followed by a sharp rebound in June and continued firmness in July. This volatility was shaped by fluctuations in the Gluconic Acid Production Cost Trend, particularly changes in Hydrogen Peroxide prices and energy tariffs.
• The broader Gluconic Acid Demand Outlook improved through the quarter, driven by the rise of clean-label and health-focused FMCG products. June’s uptick was linked to strong domestic retail sales in personal care and wellness sectors, while July witnessed a price stabilization backed by resilient downstream consumption and continued export activity.
• In July 2025, the Gluconic Acid Price Index in China remained elevated compared to earlier months, sustaining the 4.5% increase seen in June. The Gluconic Acid Spot Price held firm due to:
• Stronger demand from domestic FMCG, especially in urban areas where health and hygiene-conscious consumers are prioritizing natural and functional ingredients.
• Higher production costs, stemming from increased energy charges and continued price firmness in glucose feedstocks.
• Export momentum toward South and Southeast Asia, tightening the domestic supply pool and offering Chinese manufacturers stronger pricing leverage.
• The supply side was also impacted by regulatory pressure on emissions and energy usage, adding to the Gluconic Acid Production Cost Trend. As demand from food and pharma sectors held steady and e-commerce growth supported niche applications, the market remained well-balanced but firm on pricing.
Europe
• The Gluconic Acid Price Index in Europe showed intermittent fluctuations across the quarter, with prices largely influenced by external cost drivers and demand inconsistencies across food and pharmaceutical segments.
• The Gluconic Acid Demand Outlook in the region remained mixed, with Western European countries showing modest growth in clean-label product launches, while Central and Eastern markets showed slower adoption.
• In July 2025, Gluconic Acid prices in Europe experienced minor fluctuations. The main contributors were:
• Variability in the Gluconic Acid Spot Price due to input cost shifts, including rising glucose prices and volatile energy rates across EU countries.
• Sluggish but steady demand from food additives and industrial cleaning sectors, balancing out weaker pharmaceutical-grade uptake.
• A cautious procurement approach by buyers in response to macroeconomic uncertainties and potential regulatory shifts in the EU food additives landscape.
• The Gluconic Acid Price Forecast for Europe remains moderately bullish, assuming stable upstream pricing and gradual FMCG demand recovery into Q3.
North America
• The Gluconic Acid Price Index in North America fluctuated moderately throughout Q2 and July 2025. Prices were impacted by inflationary pressures, logistical challenges, and fluctuating raw material availability.
• Although domestic Gluconic Acid production exists, the region remains sensitive to global cost movements and demand shifts, particularly in food safety and detergent applications.
• In July 2025, Gluconic Acid prices in North America demonstrated slight increases, primarily due to:
• Rising import costs from Asia, where supply tightness and higher feedstock prices raised the Gluconic Acid Spot Price.
• Stable downstream demand, especially in food safety solutions and eco-cleaning products, maintaining demand even in the face of elevated production and transport costs.
• Domestic production constraints, including limited glucose conversion capacity and seasonal plant maintenance, which reduced flexibility in meeting demand.
• The Gluconic Acid Price Forecast for North America points toward marginal increases in Q3 2025, barring any significant correction in global input costs.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American Gluconic Acid market experienced price fluctuations, influenced by sectoral demands and economic conditions. January saw a modest price increase due to steady demand from the personal care industry, driven by consumer preference for bio-based ingredients. However, February witnessed a slight dip as the pharmaceutical sector faced challenges, with production slowdowns impacting demand for Gluconic Acid derivatives. March brought renewed price pressures, driven by rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions, particularly affecting feedstock availability.
The personal care sector's performance notably impacted Gluconic Acid demand. The increasing use of Gluconic Acid in personal care products, including skin cleansers and shampoos, contributed to market growth. However, the pharmaceutical sector faced challenges, with production slowdowns impacting demand for Gluconic Acid derivatives used in medications.
Overall, North America's Gluconic Acid market in Q1 2025 was shaped by a recovering personal care sector and a struggling pharmaceutical industry, leading to a nuanced pricing landscape influenced by varying sectoral demands and economic factors.
Asia
The APAC Gluconic Acid market in Q1 2025 exhibited a rebound following a decline in the previous quarter, underpinned by stabilizing demand within personal care and pharmaceutical sectors. Supply-side adjustments and moderated production expansions contributed to a more balanced supply-demand dynamic. Regional trade complexities, including fluctuating freight rates and economic pressures, influenced market sentiment. Demand trends varied, with some sectors facing headwinds while others showed resilience, leading to an overall cautious optimism as the quarter progressed. In China, Gluconic Acid prices increased marginally by 0.32% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging USD 515/MT. The intra-quarter trend was bullish, with monthly prices rising steadily due to stable demand amid economic strain in the beauty and personal care sector and supply-side cost pressures. Elevated freight costs and shifting consumer preferences moderated growth, yet the market outlook remains cautiously optimistic with expectations of sustained demand fundamentals in the near term.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European Gluconic Acid market exhibited fluctuating prices, influenced by sectoral demands and economic conditions. January saw a modest price increase due to steady demand from the personal care industry, driven by consumer preference for bio-based ingredients. However, February witnessed a slight dip as the pharmaceutical sector faced challenges, with production slowdowns impacting demand for Gluconic Acid derivatives. March brought renewed price pressures, driven by rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions, particularly affecting feedstock availability.
The personal care sector's performance notably impacted Gluconic Acid demand. The increasing use of Gluconic Acid in personal care products, including skin cleansers and shampoos, contributed to market growth. However, the pharmaceutical sector faced challenges, with production slowdowns impacting demand for Gluconic Acid derivatives used in medications.
Overall, Europe's Gluconic Acid market in Q1 2025 was shaped by a recovering personal care sector and a struggling pharmaceutical industry, leading to a nuanced pricing landscape influenced by varying sectoral demands and economic factors.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the Gluconic Acid market in North America demonstrated a mixed price trend, marked by both periods of stability and pressure. Demand during the quarter was influenced by seasonal fluctuations, with key applications in food and beverage processing and agricultural sectors experiencing moderate upticks.
Industrial activity, particularly in construction, also supported demand for Gluconic Acid in concrete admixtures, though it was not enough to generate sustained growth. However, broader economic uncertainties and weak consumer demand in certain segments tempered overall market performance.
On the supply side, production levels remained steady, and there were no major disruptions. Raw material costs, notably for glucose and corn syrup, remained relatively stable, helping maintain price equilibrium. However, logistical challenges and supply chain disruptions, such as transportation delays, caused occasional supply constraints, impacting availability in specific regions. The competitive landscape was also a factor, with several producers vying for market share, which contributed to price pressures in some cases.
As a result, Gluconic Acid prices experienced slight fluctuations throughout the quarter, with some downward adjustments observed due to subdued demand, though prices generally stabilized towards the end of the period.
APAC
The price trend for Gluconic Acid in the APAC region during Q4 2024 experienced a consistent decline, driven by a combination of weak demand and oversupply conditions. In both India and China, prices dropped by approximately 3-4%, as the market was heavily influenced by subdued demand across key sectors. Despite government recovery efforts in China, the weak global and domestic demand from consumer industries like FMCG, personal care, beverages, and pharmaceuticals limited price recovery potential. Similarly, in India, sectoral challenges, particularly in consumer-facing industries, and a general dip in urban demand contributed to the overall price decline.
On the supply side, while production in China remained stable, a surplus of inventory and competitive pressures from regional suppliers led to a price reduction, especially in the export markets. Chinese producers, facing weak international demand and oversupply, had to reduce prices to remain competitive. In India, imports from China ensured sufficient supply, but the lack of strong demand kept prices under pressure. Seasonal trends, including post-festive slowdowns, further dampened consumption, resulting in a downward trend for Gluconic Acid prices in Q4 2024.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Gluconic Acid market in Europe experienced a mixed price trend, influenced by various demand and supply dynamics. Demand showed variability, driven by seasonal fluctuations and industrial activity. Increased activity in food processing, industrial cleaning, and pharmaceuticals led to moderate demand for Gluconic Acid, particularly in the early part of the quarter. However, slower-than-expected growth in key consumer sectors dampened overall demand during the latter half of the period.
Supply-side factors played a significant role in the price movement. Stable production levels and adequate raw material availability, such as glucose and dextrose, kept production costs relatively controlled. Despite this, there were occasional supply chain disruptions, particularly related to transportation and logistical issues, which created localized supply constraints and put upward pressure on prices in certain regions.
The competitive landscape remained a key factor, with intense competition among producers leading to price pressures in some areas. However, limited competition in certain regions allowed some manufacturers to maintain higher prices, balancing out the overall market. As a result, Gluconic Acid prices experienced slight fluctuations, with some periods of stability followed by minor downward adjustments towards the end of the quarter.
