For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend showcased upward movement in the North American market during the first quarter of 2024. At the beginning of the quarter, the demand for HDI was firm from the Polyurethane segment as the furniture industry saw a surge in sales due to Presidents' Day deals and increased demand for painted furniture and cabinets. Simultaneously, the inquiries surged for energy-efficient products in the refrigeration industries.
During the mid-quarter, feedstock supplies were affected because of the low availability of upstream Crude Oil stocks in the global market due to production cuts by OPEC+ and rising anticipations of further Oil production cuts by OPEC+ after the cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas War. Simultaneously, the energy sector witnessed escalations in energy costs due to geopolitical tensions and positive economic data. The orders for Polyurethane components HDI rose in the Polyurethane segment amid a rise in demand from the construction sector for stocking purposes amid the anticipation of the revival of construction activities in the North American region with the arrival of spring.
Towards the end of the quarter, HDI prices continued to showcase bullish movement in the USA as orders were firm from the buyers due to the steady demand for Polyurethane components in the manufacturing and construction sectors. In the refrigerators and freezers (cold chain) sector, consumers complained of fridges dying young, which caused a surge in demand for HDI for insulation panel repair and replacement objectives.
APAC
In the first quarter of 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend shifted movement in the APAC region. At the beginning of Q1, prices declined due to sluggish demand from PU foam manufacturers attributed to a slowdown in the furniture market amid the escalation in the cost of raw materials such as timber and plywood. However, demand improved for stocking purposes before the Lunar New Year holidays in major isocyanate producers in China. During the mid-quarter, the feedstock Butadiene costs rose due to an escalation in demand amid the increase in stock replenishment activities at manufacturing units. At the same time, trading activities were affected in the region during the Lunar New Year holidays from 2nd February 2024 till 18th February 2024. As a result, HDI prices escalated amid sluggish trading activities and firm demand from buyers like India due to consistent market offtakes during the wedding season and firm consumption of PU materials from the automotive and manufacturing sectors. However, operating rates and trading activities increased after the reopening of the Chinese market. Towards the quarter's end, the air cargo market witnessed increased demand for the third consecutive month in March, fuelled by the expansion of e-commerce and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, impacting air freight rates and product supplies in the international market amidst moderate demand from buyers.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2024, the European Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market experienced trends akin to those observed in the North American region. Initially, supply chain delays and extended lead times hindered the availability of resources within the regional market. Demand for Polyurethane (PU) component HDI surged amidst consistent consumption of Polyurethane foam and coatings by Automotive manufacturers due to increased orders for electric vehicles following price reductions by industry giants such as Tesla and BYD. Simultaneously, the production rates were affected by elevated energy costs and limited access to Butadiene feedstock, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions stemming from heightened tensions in the Middle East. The situation was further complicated by a missile attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, leading to increased shipping traffic along alternative routes. During the mid-quarter, uncertainties regarding energy security in Europe arose, influenced by a pause in US LNG exports, impacting variable costs across industries. The automotive sector continued to witness heightened demand for lightweight PU materials derived from HDI, attributed to the growing production of electric vehicles. Towards the quarter's conclusion, regional manufacturing units grappled with disruptions to production schedules due to a shortage of skilled labor. It resulted in diminished output rates and escalated operational costs. Additionally, global air cargo demand experienced its third consecutive monthly increase in March, driven by the expanding e-commerce sector and disruptions in shipping routes, particularly in the Red Sea region, leading to fluctuations in air freight rates.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In the North American region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) experienced a bearish price trend during Q4 2023, with prices declining due to low demand and sluggish manufacturing activities in the Polyurethane segment. This price decrease is attributed to depressed consumption rates from end-user industries. Initially, the demand was for Polyurethane materials from the Automotive manufacturers due to a decline in manufacturing activities amid the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.
At the same time, the cost support declined on upstream Butadiene at the beginning of the quarter amid weak demand and a decline in WTI Crude Oil prices due to stabilization in speculations around the supply chain disruptions in the Middle East amid conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist Group. During the mid-quarter, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate inventories were adequately available in the market, and demand remained low from the Polyurethane segment more significantly after Black Friday sales and a decline in sales in the retail sector due to the depressed consumption rates from the end-user Automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Meanwhile, the decrease in Cargo rates, caused by low water levels in the Panama Canal and Mississippi River, negatively impacted trading activities and raised the domestic inventory levels. The price trend remained persistent towards the end of the quarter amid cautious buying activities from buyers. Conclusively, the low demand from the downstream industries, coupled with the introduction of bio-based Polyurethane, negatively impacted the petrochemical-based Polyurethane and Isocyanates market.
Asia
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market situation was bearish due to low to moderate demand from the downstream industries and a decline in manufacturing sector activities, and prices decreased consistently throughout the final quarter of the year 2023. Initially, the upstream Butadiene prices fell due to a decline in upstream Crude Oil prices amid weakening US and European economies, which reduced the production costs, and production rates remained firm in the region. During the mid-quarter, the procurement activities were reduced from the regional buyers with the arrival of winter and Polyurethane components, and PU materials consumption rates remained sluggish from the end-user Automotive and manufacturing sectors. Towards the end of Q4, the destocking practices by the regional isocyanates producers and sluggish consumption rates from the buyers further tilted the prices in the negative direction. Meanwhile, the HDI consumption rates improved from the PU segment as the regional wood furniture market picked up the pace amid an increase in retail sector sales, and PU foam consumption rates improved in the manufacturing sector.
Europe
Like the North American region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market in Europe showcased bearish movement during the fourth quarter of 2023, with prices declining throughout the quarter. The market was primarily affected by low demand from the Polyurethane segment, as well as sluggish manufacturing activities and decreased offtakes from domestic buyers. Initially, adequate availability of supplies and the switching interest of downstream buyers towards bio-based Polyurethane materials negatively impacted the demand from the buyers. During the mid-quarter, HDI supply rates were firm in the regional market as shipping rates were consistent from the European hubs. The Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index also dropped throughout the quarter, indicating a contraction in the manufacturing sector activities. Towards the end of the quarter, the Wood Furniture market in the European region was negatively impacted due to the bursting of a housing bubble, causing a decline in the demand for wood furniture and a decline for Polyurethane foam from the manufacturing sector. Consequently, the consumption of Polyurethane components diminished, and inventory levels remained firm in the market. Conclusively, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate witnessed a decrease of almost 6% in the region during Q4, 2023.
For the Quarter Ending September 2023
North America
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate showcased bearish movement in North America, and prices fell during the Q3 of 2023 amid low offtakes due to sluggish manufacturing activities in the downstream Polyurethane segment. At the beginning of the quarter, prices decreased marginally amid the availability of previous stocks and moderate demand as the USA's manufacturing Purchasing Manager's index improved during July 2023. Meanwhile, shipping and freight routes were affected amid the decline in Mississippi and Ohio river water levels and delayed shipping route activities through the Panama Canal. However, a noticeable decrease in HDI prices was observed during the mid-quarter as previous inventories were adequately available amid no improvement in offtakes from the market. The hike in bank interest rates by the Federal Reserve Bank to cool down the rising inflation resulted in a decline in demand from buyers, causing a slowdown in the economic growth of the region. The prices declined again towards the end of Q3 amid the high availability of inventories in the regional market amid no significant improvement in offtakes from the Polyurethane segment.
Asia Pacific
In the Asian region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate prices showcased bullish movement and rose during the third quarter of 2023. At the beginning of the quarter, the increment in the prices was nominal. The demand improved from the international buyers due to arbitrage. Meanwhile, the demand from regional buyers was stable initially and rose during the mid-quarter amid the decline in production rates. It stressed the availability of the product in the market. The demand remained moderate from the textile sector. The prices remained firm and rose marginally towards the end of the quarter, amid improved product availability in domestic markets. The production costs increased amid the escalation in cost support on upstream Butadiene due to Crude Oil production cuts by OPEC+ and Russia. Simultaneously, the increased demand for Ammonia from fertilizer manufacturers due to escalation in procurement activities for the Autumn season application resulted in stressed availability of feedstocks. It negatively impacted the production rates and product supplies in the regional market.
Europe
Like the North American region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate showcased bearish movement in Europe during the Q3 of 2023 amid low offtakes due to sluggish manufacturing and purchasing activities in the Polyurethane segment during summer holidays in the region. The high energy prices and hike in bank interest rates by European banks resulted in a decline in demand from buyers, causing a slowdown in the economic growth of the Eurozone. Consequently, the Eurozone manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index dropped gradually during the 3rd quarter, indicating contractions in manufacturing sector activities and a decline in procurement activities from downstream Polyurethane buyers. The availability of stocks was firm due to previous cheaper imports from Asia. It resulted in an arbitrage window, and suppliers reduced the quotations in the domestic market during the mid-quarter. Meanwhile, demand was sluggish from the downstream Polyurethane industries due to moderately low orders from the construction sector and electronic appliances manufacturers amid a decline in retail sector sales during quarter 3 of 2023.
For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate prices slumped in the North American region during the Quarter 2 of 2023. The offtakes remained sluggish from the downstream Polyurethane industries due to weak activities in the construction sector during Q2 of 2023. Simultaneously, the demand was low, but due to the rising recession and layoff practices, producers and traders increased restocking practices amid increased labor costs. Meanwhile, increased logistics costs provided cost support during the mid-quarter. However, due to the depressed demand in the international market, the traders started destocking practices towards the end of the quarter, which raised the inventory levels, and suppliers decreased their quotations noticeably in the region. At the same time, the feedstock Butadiene prices rose initially due to increased price quotations from producers amid an escalation in costs support from upstream. But due to the reduction in upstream Naphtha demand from the mid-quarter, the feedstock Butadiene prices fell and reduced the production costs of HDI. Furthermore, the normalization in freight costs towards the end of the quarter reduced the costs support on the product.
Asia
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate price trend showcased bearish movement during quarter 2 of 2023. The demand was low from regional and international importers due to the sluggish activities in the Polyurethane sector and firm availability of supplies. Simultaneously, the consumption rates from Polyurethane elastomer and coating producers remained inadequate throughout the quarter due to the inactive construction sector. Meanwhile, the strengthening of the US Dollar and the weakening of the other currencies impacted the product prices in the international markets. Towards the end of the quarter, HDI prices decreased slightly amid intensified buying activities before the Dragon boat festival. The feedstock Butadiene prices fell appreciably throughout Q2 due to the weak upstream Naphtha costs and sluggish demand from the downstream buyers. It reduced the upstream cost support on feedstock Butadiene and production costs of HDI. Simultaneously, the decrease in feedstock Adiponitrile prices throughout Q2 further reduced the cost support on HDI. Furthermore, the decline in input costs due to reduced consumption amid temperature rise reduced the variable cost of production during the quarter.
Europe
In the European region, the price trend of Hexamethylene Diisocyanate remained the same as the previous quarter, and prices were consistently by producers and suppliers as the demand was low from downstream Polyurethane sealants and coatings producers due to sluggish activities in the construction and electronics industries. At the end of the quarter, the decline in prices intensified amid firm availability of inventories and reduced buying and manufacturing activities in the region. The hike in bank interest rates by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England to curb rising inflation made the buyers conscious while making purchases, and they avoided any unnecessary trading activities. Meanwhile, the upstream Ammonia prices declined from the mid-quarter due to low cost and sluggish demand from fertilizer producers. Simultaneously, the reduction in Natural Gas prices during Q2 decreased the variable costs and reduced the production costs of HDI. Furthermore, towards the end of the quarter, feedstock Butadiene prices declined amid reduced cost support from upstream Ethylene and sluggish demand from downstream buyers.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend showcased bearish movement throughout the quarter, and prices decreased consistently throughout the quarter. In the H1 of the quarter, prices fell amid depressed orders from Polyurethane industries due to surplus availability of supplies. During the mid-quarter, Supply chain activities improved with the temperature rise. At the same time, increases in US Federal Reserve Interest rates throughout the quarter to curb rising inflation made the buyers conscious while making purchases. Furthermore, cost support declined amid a consistent fall in upstream Ammonia prices and moderate production rates. Consequently, at the end of Q1, prices remained stagnant and fell marginally amid weak offtakes from downstream industries.
Asia
In Asia, the HDI price trend remained firm throughout quarter 1 of 2023. During the H1 of the quarter, prices escalated due to limited inventory levels and consistent demand from the downstream sector. The prices rose noticeably during the mid-quarter amid firm orders for PU foam in the manufacturing sector due to increased demand for furniture in the retail sector. At the same time, upstream Ammonia prices amid weak demand from fertilizer producers. However, orders fell from the downstream PU industries during the end month of the quarter, and producers declined their production rates, which stabilized the price trend at the end of Q1, 2023.
Europe
Throughout the first quarter, the HDI price trend remained bearish, and quotations consistently decreased by the suppliers amid the surplus availability of supplies. At the same time, the demand was low from downstream Polyurethane industries due to weak orders for PU foam in the construction and automotive sector. At the same time, significant decreases in the Dutch TTF natural gas costs reduced the input prices. Simultaneously, the upstream Ammonia prices fell amid depressed demand from fertilizer producers and a significant reduction in natural gas costs, which eased the cost support. Consequently, amid stable production rates, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate price trend stabilized in the final month of Q1, 2023.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Throughout quarter IV of 2022, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate prices fluctuated in the North American region. Initially, the product prices increased due to increased feedstock Nitric Acid and Ammonia prices due to high upstream costs amid rising inflation and consistent demand and offtakes of products from the downstream Polyurethane industries. The orders for the Polyurethane form were firm from the manufacturing sector during H1 of Q4 due to expected consumer demand from the automotive producers and furnishing mills because of upbeat consumer sentiment. However, in the mid-quarter, the price trend shifted, and HDI prices decreased on the back of increased inventory levels due to reduced import orders and a reduction in the upstream costs due to a decline in the WTI Crude oil prices. Finally, at the end month of Q4, the product prices decreased further on the back of low offtakes from end-use industries.
Asia
At the beginning of quarter IV of 2022, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate prices increased amid affected supplies and firm demand from regional and European importers. In the mid-quarter, the prices started declining due to weak trading activities and an increase in domestic inventory levels in China because of disruption in the supply chain amid zero covid controls and limited transportation activities. At the end of Q4, product prices showed mixed sentiments amid destocking practices by the exporters at the end of the year. However, the exports to the overseas market were also affected by covid restrictions, and the product prices increased due to affected feedstock supplies amid supply chain disruption and decreased production rates.
Europe
Hexamethylene Diisocyanate prices shifted throughout the Q4 of 2022 in the European region. At the beginning of Q4, the product prices increased slightly amid affected production rates in the downstream Polyurethane industries due to the unavailability of HDI supplies. Consequently, the orders and offtakes remained moderate from the downstream Polyurethane producers. However, in the H2 of the quarter, the product prices declined due to a reduction in offtakes by downstream buyers on the back of reduced orders for PU from the household goods producers. Finally, towards the end of the year, product prices decreased again due to off-season dullness in offtakes by downstream buyers.
