For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the Isododecane Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter, driven by increased production costs in Q3 2025.
• Isododecane production costs increased due to a 2.6 percent rise in the Producer Price Index in August 2025.
• Naphtha feedstock costs steadied in September 2025, while US natural gas prices increased in Q3 2025.
• Isododecane demand outlook was mixed, with strong retail sales but declining consumer confidence in September 2025.
• US retail sales, excluding auto and gas, increased 5.42 percent year-over-year in September 2025, supporting demand.
• Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, potentially dampening discretionary spending on cosmetics.
• Industrial production showed near-stagnant growth at 0.1 percent year-over-year in September 2025, impacting industrial demand.
• US manufacturing backlogs and inventories continued to shrink in Q3 2025, indicating cautious industrial activity.
• US chemical exports continued to slide in July 2025, while imports rose, shrinking the trade surplus.
Why did the price of Isododecane change in September 2025 in North America?
• Rising input costs, indicated by a 2.6 percent PPI increase in August 2025, pushed Isododecane prices higher.
• Increased US natural gas prices in Q3 2025 contributed to elevated production expenses for Isododecane.
• A 3.0 percent CPI increase in September 2025 suggested higher operational costs for Isododecane producers.
APAC
• In China, the Isododecane Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by easing production costs.
• Isododecane production costs decreased in Q3 2025, driven by a -2.3% year-on-year Producer Price Index in September 2025.
• Global crude oil balances shifted to a surplus in Q3 2025, easing feedstock prices and lowering input costs.
• Isododecane demand outlook is mixed; the -0.3% year-on-year Consumer Price Index in September 2025 indicated weak spending.
• China's cosmetics market experienced robust growth in Q3 2025, supporting Isododecane demand despite broader economic caution.
• The Manufacturing Index remained in contraction in September 2025, suggesting reduced industrial output and impacting chemical demand.
• Retail sales increased 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating sustained consumer spending on finished goods.
• Isododecane Price Index forecast remains cautious due to persistent chemical sector overcapacity in China during Q3 2025.
Why did the price of Isododecane change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Producer Price Index fell -2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reducing input costs.
• Global crude oil balances shifted to a surplus in Q3 2025, easing petrochemical feedstock prices.
• Low consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025 dampened discretionary spending.
Europe
• In Germany, the Isododecane Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting industrial production.
• Demand for Isododecane faced headwinds from Germany's stagnating GDP and industrial production decline of 1.0% in September.
• The Isododecane Price Index was pressured by a contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025, indicating weaker industrial activity.
• Isododecane demand in cosmetics was supported by stable retail sales growth of 0.2% in September 2025, despite higher CPI.
• European chemical industry capacity utilization decreased in Q3 2025, reflecting global oversupply and reduced production.
• German exports declined in Q3 2025, intensifying competitive pressure on the Isododecane market from increased imports.
• Lower producer prices of -1.7% in September 2025, driven by energy, impacted the Isododecane Price Index.
• Isododecane price forecast suggests continued pressure from weak industrial demand and elevated feedstock costs.
Why did the price of Isododecane change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Naphtha feedstock costs increased in September 2025, raising Isododecane production expenses.
• Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, reducing demand for industrial Isododecane applications.
• Lower producer prices of -1.7% in September 2025, due to energy, partially offset rising input costs.
