For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
WTI crude oil prices soared during the first quarter of 2022 owing to constrained supply fundamentals in the backdrop of Russian invasion of Ukraine in late-February. Consequently, feedstock sulphur prices have risen steadily during the first quarter which increased the inflationary pressure on downstream Insoluble sulphur. Meanwhile, consumption of Insoluble sulphur remained strong as the tire industry kept robust volume intakes. Furthermore, automotive industry has also shown early signs of recovery however the European conflict may hamper the change in momentum. Hence, as of March 2022, Insoluble sulphur prices were assessed at USD 1610 per MT on FOB basis.
Asia Pacific
Crude oil prices have remained volatile in the global market and Asian market. During the first quarter, South Asia, which rely heavily on import of crude oil from Middle East as well as other regions, has seen strong growth in crude oil prices and consequently feedstock sulphur prices have gained significantly pressuring downstream Insoluble sulphur market. Hence, insoluble sulphur prices rose consistently throughout the quarter. In the Indian domestic market, Insoluble sulphur prices were assessed at INR 124000 per MT (USD 1618.41 per MT) on CFR basis, while in the Chinese domestic market Insoluble Sulphur prices settled at USD 1105 per MT. On the demand side, consumption from downstream tire industry, a crucial industry of application, remained firm stable to firm.
Europe
During the first quarter of 2022, Insoluble sulphur market remained sturdy due to a strong bullish rally in upstream crude oil and feedstock Sulphur. Brent crude oil prices have gained substantially while the LNG market has been short on supply owing to rising tension between Russia and Europe. Russia had been a key exporter of natural gas to the European nations however Ukrainian invasion has propelled Europe to sanction Russia meanwhile Europe continued looking for alternatives. On the demand side, tire manufacturing has been a key industry for Insoluble sulphur, demand dynamics has been weak to stable owing to underwhelming performance of automotive industry. Replacement tire demand has been stable in the European market while production curtailment in automotive industry has resulted in weak consumption of original equipment tires. Hence, as of March 2022, Insoluble Sulphur prices crossed USD 2000 per MT mark on FD basis.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
Demand fundamentals started the quarter on a strong note where robust consumption from tire industry resulted in firm prices of Insoluble sulphur across USA and Canada. Crude oil volatility increased the prices of sulphur in H1 which increased the cost pressure over downstream insoluble sulphur. Demand decreased towards the end of the quarter as the consumption levels declined in H2 of the last quarter. Consequently, Insoluble prices in USA observed uptrend in first two months while in lieu of declined demand, prices of Insoluble sulphur in USA dropped in December and were assessed at USD 1470 per MT.
APAC
Insoluble Sulphur prices followed an upward trajectory in H1 of Q4 in line with costlier imports and soaring cost of upstream Sulphur in overseas markets. Traders revealed that the demand from downstream industries has remained stable however expensive imports has levied additional cost pressure on traders to mark their goods at a higher price. Consequently, Insoluble Sulphur was assessed at INR 193500 per MT Ex-Mumbai in November. Crude oil prices have fluctuated in later stages of November and consequently sulphur prices have varied in recent weeks. Seesawed prices of sulphur have translated into volatile prices of Insoluble sulphur. Prices of insoluble sulphur dipped in initial weeks of December, however prices soon recovered towards the end of December. In China, Sulphur market observed bearish sentiment during major part of the last quarter which resulted in declined cost pressure over downstream Insoluble sulphur. Therefore, prices of Insoluble sulphur remained soft throughout the quarter however recovery in sulphur prices towards later stages of Q4 translated into improved prices of Insoluble sulphur in December.
Europe
Feedstock Sulphur prices remained on an incessant uptrend throughout the quarter on the back strong volatility in Brent crude oil prices. This increased the cost pressure on downstream Insoluble sulphur and consequently insoluble prices were robust in Q4. On demand side, consumption from tire industry was termed as robust by several market participants and therefore insoluble sulphur remained in robust demand. Tire industry gained from replacement tire segment in Q4 following the trend of previous quarters. However, demand stabilized towards the later stages of Q4 on the back of sluggish consumption levels in lieu of holidays season. Consequently, Insoluble sulphur prices observed stagnancy in December.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
The prices of Insoluble Sulphur remained rangebound during the third quarter of 2021. Stagnant automotive sector growth around the world has been a key factor behind slowed demand progress across the region. Following the trend of previous quarters, the global shortage of semiconductor chips continued to disrupt automotive production, which resulted in muted consumption of insoluble Sulphur during the third quarter. Improved supply of upstream Crude Sulphur in the US resulted in the ample stock availability of Insoluble Sulphur in this quarter.
Asia
The overall pricing of Insoluble Sulphur witnessed an upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2021. In the Indian market, the prices kept on rising in the first half of Q3 due to modest offtakes from the downstream sectors, while traders reported disturbance in supply chain activities. The demand for Insoluble Sulphur remained stagnant from the downstream tire manufacturing segment due to prevailing chip shortages affecting automotive production. In addition, freight congestion also influenced the Insoluble Sulphur price in the Indian domestic market. A steep rise in Insoluble Sulphur price was observed in India during the third quarter and local prices shot up to USD 2228/MT levels in September.
Europe
The domestic market of Insoluble sulphur strengthened during the 3rd quarter of 2021 across the European region. The demand for Insoluble Sulphur improved in Q3 from the downstream tire manufacturing segment owing to increased demand for new automotive vehicles in the region. Tight supply of raw materials and international freight congestion further influenced the price trend of Insoluble Sulphur in the third quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
In the North American market, marginal fluctuation was observed in the prices of Insoluble Sulphur, especially in USA during Q2 2021. However, the demand from downstream tyre manufacturers remained firm throughout the quarter, as the active winter season increased the demand for winter tyres. Following the revival in supply activities across US, supply of upstream Crude Sulphur gradually improved which led to an improvement in stock availability of Insoluble Sulphur as well. Thus, the overall demand supply gap remained narrow, and traders maintained ample stock availability to satisfy the overall demand. Therefore, despite of several marginal fluctuations, average price of Insoluble Sulphur remained in the range of USD 1740/MT to USD 1760/MT during this timeframe.
Asia
Insoluble Sulphur market witnessed firm sentiments during Q2 2021, as the demand from downstream sectors improved initially in the month of April. In China, the demand for Insoluble Sulphur increased effectively from downstream tyre manufacturers in April, which later gained stability during May and June. Meanwhile in the Indian market, as Insoluble Sulphur is a majorly imported commodity, its prices rose effectively during April and May, in effect of rising freight cost and material shortage in the country. However, prices later declined effectively after gaining ample stocks to satisfy the overall requirement of the country. Eventually, prices of Insoluble Sulphur reached USD 1492/MT and USD 1913/MT in China and India, respectively.
Europe
Price of Insoluble Sulphur fluctuated in a narrow range across Europe, during Q2 2021. While the demand from downstream tyre manufacturers-maintained stability, however component shortage restrained the tyre demand from the new automotive vehicles. In the meantime, taking cues from European automotive sector, Eastman decided to divest its tyre additive business, which also includes its Insoluble Sulphur brand Crystex, intending to sell the assets of additives manufacturing units to other company.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
The North American market registered slowed demand for Insoluble Sulphur from the downstream sectors during Q1 2021. Freezeout in February created a chaos across the region, which led to shortage of multiple products including raw material Sulphur. Although that didn’t affect the prices of Insoluble Sulphur due to poor demand from the tyre manufacturing sector, despite that the prices of Insoluble Sulphur were seen experiencing marginal gains across the region during this period. The price of Insoluble Sulphur lost its value by USD 25/MT during the quarter and settled at USD 1595/MT during March.
Asia
The Asian Insoluble Sulphur market encountered a fair demand from the regional markets, with an upward price trend followed during this quarter. After Lunar year holidays, the Chinese market could see active restocking from the tyre manufacturing sector amidst global shortage of Insoluble Sulphur. In the Indian markets, since Insoluble Sulphur is majorly imported in the country, the prices were primarily affected with surging freight and shipping cost, which surged aggressively during this period. Thus, the prices of Insoluble Sulphur rose by 19.4% in the Indian market, and 9.31% in the Chinese market from January to March 2021.
Europe
Europe experienced a growth of 10% in the automotive sector, that enhanced the demand for Insoluble Sulphur from tyre manufacturers across the region. Curtailed refineries operations and lesser output were heard deterring supply in some European countries like France and UK, which affected the supply of Insoluble Sulphur across the region. However, fair demand amid global shortage forced the prices to follow upward path. With the region imposing fresh lockdowns in some key economies, slowdown in tyre manufacturing is anticipated to pressurise the enquiries for Insoluble Sulphur in the near term.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
During Q4 2020, the Asian market started rising from dull dynamics and headed towards stability. Demand for Insoluble Sulphur rose in tandem with economic recovery in the APAC region. With Indian government’s strict measures to deal with hefty tyre imports, the demand rose appreciably within India especially from the tyre manufacturing sectors. In addition, India’s Continental Carbon announced expansion of its tire manufacturing facility at Uttar Pradesh, India. In December, Chinese rubber demand from the automotive industries increased that supported the sentiments of the additive Insoluble Sulphur.
Europe
The European market was struggling to come out of the historic fall in its tyre demand created by the COVID-induced slowdown. The European automobile sector reported improvement in its quarterly sales but still struggled to maintain their demand/supply fundamentals amidst hovering uncertainty in the market. Reduced tyre manufacturing negatively affected the demand for additive Insoluble Sulphur. Multiple plant shutdowns worsened the situation and created lower availability of Insoluble Sulphur in the region.
North America
The North American market experienced healthy revival in different sectors during the final quarter of 2020. Market sentiments were up, as an effect of significant rise in export demand from the Asia Pacific region. Demand of Insoluble Sulphur increased from the tyre manufacturing sector, due to fair improvement in the automotive sales during Q4 2020 compared to Q3 2020. Supply problems, however persisted driven by lesser operations in some regional plants.
