For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in North America followed a moderately upward trajectory, underpinned by rising feedstock costs and stable demand across key end-use sectors. The consistent increase in upstream Methanol and Aniline prices, driven by higher natural gas benchmarks and constrained refinery throughout translated into elevated production costs for NMA producers in the region.
Despite steady domestic availability and relatively smooth logistics, intermittent supply chain delays due to winter weather conditions in January temporarily affected inland transportation, prompting cautious restocking. As a result, manufacturers maintained firm pricing to protect margins. Demand remained robust throughout the quarter, particularly from the petroleum industry, where NMA continues to be utilized as an octane booster. Additional support came from the agrochemical and dye manufacturing segments, which maintained regular offtake to meet seasonal production requirements.
While no extreme price spikes were observed, the cumulative effect of raw material inflation and solid downstream consumption drove a gradual rise in NMA prices over the three months. The North American market closed Q1 2025 with firm pricing, and sentiment for Q2 remains cautiously optimistic amid sustained demand and continued cost-side pressures.
Asia
N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in the Asian region, particularly India, followed a consistent upward trajectory throughout Q1 2025, registering a cumulative increase of approximately 5% over the quarter. In January, prices rose by 1.5% amid escalating feedstock costs, especially Methanol and Aniline, and broader global supply chain challenges driven by energy price volatility and geopolitical trade tensions. Despite stable inventories, inflationary pressures and procurement delays contributed to price firming. The upward trend continued in February with another 1.5% increase, supported by efficient logistics, steady raw material flow through key Indian ports, and persistent demand from fuel additives, agrochemicals, and dye industries. Growing container activity and improved domestic supply chain efficiency further bolstered price stability and resilience. By March, NMA prices climbed an additional 2%, driven by a tightening supply environment and rising production costs linked to increased Methanol prices and a decline in domestic crude oil output. Strong demand from petroleum blending applications and strategic buying activity amid anticipated cost hikes supported the price surge. Overall, Q1 2025 was marked by steady demand fundamentals, resilient manufacturing activity, and persistent cost-side pressures, collectively contributing to the firm and upward movement in N-Methyl Aniline prices across Asia.
Europe
During Q1 2025, N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in Europe exhibited a firm to a slightly bullish trend, supported by consistent downstream demand and periodic supply-side disruptions. Across the quarter, prices rose steadily due to elevated production costs, primarily driven by fluctuating feedstock Methanol and Aniline prices. Energy market instability, particularly linked to tightening LNG supply and geopolitical uncertainties in Eastern Europe, added pressure to operational expenses for NMA producers. Although demand from the petroleum sector, especially for use in octane-boosting additives, remained stable, a noticeable uptick in offtake from the agrochemical and dye sectors helped support firm pricing. Restocking activities ahead of the spring agricultural season also reinforced the purchasing momentum during late February and March. On the supply front, European manufacturers faced intermittent delays in raw material procurement due to port congestion and extended lead times from overseas suppliers. While no sharp spikes were recorded, prices gradually increased quarter-on-quarter, reflecting the cumulative impact of cost pressures and resilient demand. Overall, Q1 2025 closed with NMA prices in Europe on a modest upward trend, supported by a stable consumption base and constrained but manageable supply chain dynamics.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in North America exhibited a steady to marginally declining trend, influenced by weakening demand from the petroleum sector and broader economic challenges. Early in the quarter, robust transportation activity and seasonal fuel consumption spurred moderate demand for NMA, a key additive in gasoline formulations. However, this momentum faded as rising interest rates, and economic uncertainties began to impact downstream sectors. The construction industry, a significant driver of diesel demand, experienced slower growth due to high borrowing costs and reduced project investments, indirectly dampening NMA demand. Similarly, the automotive sector faced weaker gasoline consumption, driven by lower consumer spending, which further reduced the need for NMA in fuel blends.
On the supply side, regional production remained stable, with sufficient inventory levels mitigating price volatility despite steady crude oil prices. Refinery operations were aligned with the subdued market demand, preventing an oversupply scenario.
By December, holiday-related slowdowns and cautious inventory management by buyers further tempered NMA demand. Overall, Q4 2024 highlighted a subdued market for NMA in North America, with economic headwinds and declining sectoral activity outweighing early-quarter gains.
Asia
In Q4 2024, N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in India displayed a marginally increasing trend, shaped by fluctuations in demand dynamics and stable supply conditions. October began with an 8% price increase, driven by strong petrol consumption during the festive season and heightened transportation activity. Stable production and rising container traffic at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA) supported the supply chain, while logistical constraints on India-Asia routes slightly tightened market capacity. In November, demand remained robust due to continued festive-driven fuel consumption, bolstered by increased petrol and diesel sales. However, logistical challenges, including rising freight costs and threats of a nationwide port strike, added pressure to the supply chain. Manufacturers mitigated disruptions through inventory management, maintaining stable production levels despite slower exports from China. By December, NMA prices dropped, reflecting subdued demand from the petroleum sector as fuel sales normalized post-festive season. While upstream methanol costs rose, intra-Asia trade slowed, and cautious purchasing behavior from downstream sectors capped price growth. Overall, Q4 2024 presented a mixed market scenario for NMA in APAC, with early-quarter strength giving way to demand moderation and logistical constraints, resulting in a marginally bullish quarterly trend.
Europe
In Q4 2024, N-methyl aniline (NMA) prices in Europe followed a generally stable trend, influenced by both supply-side factors and demand fluctuations. Early in the quarter, NMA prices saw some pressure due to subdued demand from key downstream sectors, including automotive and construction. This was in line with broader economic concerns and high energy costs, which weighed on overall market sentiment. The demand for NMA, primarily driven by its use in gasoline formulations and the construction sector, struggled amid economic slowdowns. The construction industry faced a slowdown in project investments, while the automotive sector experienced a dip in consumer spending, limiting gasoline consumption and, consequently, NMA demand. Despite these challenges, supply-side factors helped stabilize the market. Adequate production levels and stable imports helped maintain a balanced market throughout the quarter. In December, demand softened further due to holiday-related slowdowns and cautious inventory management by downstream buyers. While crude oil prices remained relatively stable, high energy costs in Europe continued to weigh on logistical costs and contributed to cautious procurement strategies. Overall, Q4 2024 saw NMA prices in Europe remain relatively steady, with the weak demand offset by supply-side adjustments and regional stability in the broader chemicals market.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In the third quarter of 2024, N-methyl aniline prices in the U.S. market experienced volatility, driven by disruptions in the petroleum industry and global oil supply dynamics. As a key component in fuel additives, N-Methyl Aniline's demand is closely tied to the fluctuations within the petroleum sector. Throughout Q3, supply chain disruptions, primarily caused by reduced oil production due to hurricanes and maintenance activities, influenced the pricing environment for N-Methyl Aniline.
Oil production declines, particularly within OPEC, led to a constrained supply of petroleum products, directly impacting demand for fuel additives such as N-Methyl Aniline. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported a 0.7% reduction in global oil production, with OPEC output dropping by 650,000 barrels per day (bpd).
This tightening in the oil market indirectly affected N-Methyl Aniline availability, contributing to price stability despite weakening demand in the downstream petroleum industry. While the market saw reduced activity due to lower production rates, maintenance activities in non-OPEC regions, along with seasonal influences, led to moderate price increases for N-Methyl Aniline.
Asia
In the quarter ending September 2024, the APAC region witnessed stable prices for N-methyl aniline, with India experiencing the most significant price changes. The regional market was influenced by various factors, including stable demand from the petroleum sector, limited supplies, and fluctuating import costs. Additionally, disruptions such as port congestion and labor strikes impacted the supply chain, adding pressure on prices. The overall trend in the region showed consistency, with minor fluctuations in pricing. Seasonal factors like the festive season and winter demand played a role in price movements, while correlations with global oil prices and economic activities influenced market dynamics. Despite a 5.2% increase from the previous quarter, the pricing environment remained stable throughout Q3 2024. Notable disruptions during the quarter included port congestion and labor strikes, affecting supply chains, such as Mundra Port congestion, and Port and dock workers' hunger strikes. The quarter ended with a price of USD 2712/MT of n-Methyl Aniline CFR JNPT in India, reflecting a stable pricing environment overall during the third quarter of 2024.
Europe
The third quarter of 2024 was a period of significant price increases for N-methyl Aniline in the European region, driven by a combination of factors. Market dynamics were largely influenced by stabilized demand from downstream industries such as the Petroleum industry, along with supply chain disruptions and reduced production rates across the region. These challenges created a supply shortage, pushing prices upwards. The Netherlands experienced the most substantial price changes during this period, reflecting the overall trend in the European market. The euro area’s manufacturing sector contracted further at the close of the third quarter. Moreover, global refining margins are narrowing, signaling a decrease in profitability for converting crude oil into petroleum products. This decline is primarily attributed to relatively weak demand for petroleum products, even as global refining capacity continues to expand, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The oversupply of refined products, combined with sluggish demand, has put downward pressure on margins across the N-methyl Aniline market.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In the second quarter of 2024, the N-methyl Aniline market in North America demonstrated notable stability, particularly in the latter half of the quarter, influenced by several significant factors shaping its pricing landscape. During this period, balanced demand and supply chains played a crucial role in maintaining price stability. The petroleum industry, a key downstream sector, exhibited moderate demand, contributing to the equilibrium in N-methyl Aniline pricing. Expected seasonal fluctuations, such as the Atlantic hurricane season, led downstream market participants to adopt cautious procurement strategies, ensuring their stockpiles were sufficiently padded against potential disruptions.
In the USA, which experienced the most pronounced price activities during this period, N-methyl Aniline prices remained fundamentally stable. This reflected a stable sentiment in the N-methyl Aniline market, indicating neither positive nor negative volatility but rather an equilibrium maintained by balanced supply-demand dynamics and prudent inventory management.
Hurricane Beryl halted industrial production in the USA in June 2024, and floods further disrupted downstream demand in the petroleum industry. Imports of US-origin N-methyl Aniline gained traction in the North American market, with US producers maintaining strong pricing due to reduced domestic supplies and high local prices during this quarter.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the N-methyl aniline market in the APAC region exhibited an upward trend in pricing, driven by a blend of critical factors. The overall market sentiment was notably positive, underpinned by increased demand from the downstream petroleum and textile sectors. The surge in prices was further exacerbated by limited stock availability and escalating freight and raw material costs. The geopolitical tensions in key exporting regions and erratic weather conditions also contributed to the price hikes, as these factors disrupted regular supply chains and inflated operational costs. Compounded by high energy prices and input costs, these dynamics created a robust environment for price increases. In India, the N-methyl aniline market experienced the most significant price changes within the APAC region. The Indian market defied typical seasonal trends this monsoon season, with heightened demand from the petroleum and textile industries. The downstream demand recovery, combined with low inventory levels, drove prices higher. The correlation between supply constraints and demand resurgence was evident, as new export orders surged and the real estate sector hit a decade-high peak, further bolstering demand. The overall pricing environment for N-Methyl Aniline in Q2 2024 has been resulted as positive, with the latest quarter-ending price recorded at USD 2634/MT CFR JNPT in India. This sustained increase, coupled with strategic supply chain disruptions and geopolitical factors, underscores the bullish market conditions prevalent throughout the quarter.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the n-methyl Aniline market in Europe exhibited a persistent yet moderate upward trend, largely influenced by a combination of supply constraints, heightened production costs, and fluctuating feedstock prices. The prevailing disruptions in supply chains, coupled with strategic production cutbacks by the manufacturers, have exacerbated the scarcity of the material. Additionally, increased operational expenses and stable demand from the petroleum sector have collectively driven the n-methyl Aniline pricing environment upward. Focusing on Germany, the market has experienced the most pronounced price changes within the region. The seasonality factor played a crucial role, with increased demand from the Petroleum sector, consistent with typical seasonal cycles. This incremental yet consistent rise is reflective of a balanced market condition, where slight demand improvements are met with constrained supply, fostering a stable to positive pricing environment. Concluding Q2 2024, the prices of n-methyl Aniline, marked a steady culmination of the quarter’s upward trend and affirmed the positive pricing momentum despite underlying volatility. Additionally, port operations were affected by a workers’ strike impacting ports such as Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brake, and Emden in June 2024. The dispute over the collective agreement has led to strikes at German container ports and halted activities at the Port of Hamburg for two days before a fourth round of negotiations began. The strikes later affected Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, and Emden, causing operational disruptions at container terminals. A prolonged strike could delay operations at Hamburg and Bremerhaven ports in August, severely impacting German exports, particularly in the automotive and machinery sectors.
