For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased production costs.
• NMP production costs increased in Q3 2025, influenced by a 3.0% CPI rise in September 2025 and upward benzene prices.
• Demand for NMP saw mixed signals; strong retail sales (up 5.42% in September 2025) supported consumer-driven sectors.
• However, sluggish industrial production, up only 0.1% in September 2025, tempered overall NMP demand growth.
• Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, suggesting reduced discretionary spending impacting NMP end-uses.
• Benzene, a key NMP feedstock, experienced upward price momentum in Q3 2025, contributing to higher input costs.
• US natural gas prices also rose in Q3 2025, further increasing NMP manufacturing expenses.
• Domestic electronics production and industrial technology sectors showed steady growth, supporting NMP demand in Q3 2025.
Why did the price of N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) change in September 2025 in North America?
• NMP production costs increased due to a 2.6% rise in PPI in August 2025 and rising benzene prices.
• Strong retail sales, up 5.42% in September 2025, supported NMP demand in consumer-driven electronics.
• Declining consumer confidence in September 2025 and weak industrial production tempered overall NMP demand.
Europe
• In Germany, the N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) Price Index fell in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
• NMP production costs faced upward pressure from higher natural gas and general chemical raw material costs in Q3 2025.
• Producer prices of industrial products decreased 1.7% in September 2025, mainly due to lower energy prices.
• Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025; industrial production declined 1.0% in September.
• Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% in September 2025, indicating rising general costs impacting NMP production.
• Retail sales rose 0.2% and unemployment was stable at 6.3% in September 2025, indicating cautious consumer behavior.
• Automotive production declined in August 2025, further reducing NMP consumption in related manufacturing processes.
• Overall chemical production declined in Q3 2025, with low capacity utilization in the German chemical industry.
• The NMP Price Index forecast suggests continued pressure from subdued industrial activity and mixed cost trends.
Why did the price of N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Weak industrial production, down 1.0% in September 2025, significantly reduced NMP demand.
• Contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025 signaled a broad slowdown in NMP-consuming sectors.
• Despite some rising feedstock costs, lower producer prices for industrial products eased cost pressure.
APAC
• In China, the N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by deflationary pressures.
• NMP production costs decreased in September 2025, driven by a 2.3% year-on-year decline in producer prices.
• NMP demand outlook was supported by a 6.5% year-on-year industrial production growth in September 2025.
• Automotive demand for New Energy Vehicles strengthened significantly in September 2025, boosting NMP consumption.
• Electronics manufacturing sector demand showed steady growth in Q3 2025, supporting NMP usage in key applications.
• The NMP Price Index faced downward pressure from a 0.3% year-on-year CPI decline in September 2025.
• China's Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced overall industrial activity.
• New Energy Vehicle export volumes surged year-on-year in September 2025, impacting NMP trade dynamics.
• Retail sales grew 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, indirectly supporting NMP demand in consumer electronics.
• A 5.2% unemployment rate in September 2025 suggested economic weakness, dampening NMP market sentiment.
Why did the price of N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Producer prices declined 2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reducing NMP production costs and prices.
• Consumer Price Index fell 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting weak demand and deflationary pressures.
• The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and NMP demand.
