For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Natural Steatite Price Index fell by 8.12% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting inventory accumulation and weak demand.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 698.00/MT, influenced by freight and demand patterns.
• Natural Steatite Spot Price softened as ample port inventories and lower freight allowed traders to discount spot cargoes.
• Natural Steatite Price Forecast indicates modest stability with slight upward bias after seasonal restocking soon.
• Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend showed limited cost pressure as energy and mining costs remained stable.
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remained muted with ceramics and compounder purchases holding inventories rather than expanding.
• Natural Steatite Price Index movements tracked logistics-driven landed cost shifts more than changes in downstream consumption.
• Export demand softness and five-week Gulf-Coast inventory cover pressured bids, keeping near-term market sentiment persistently bearish.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in December 2025 in North America?
• Ample seaborne arrivals and steady quarry output created port inventory accumulation, exerting sustained downward pressure on CFR prices.
• Reduced container and bulk freight rates compressed landed costs, enabling sellers to accept lower netbacks and discount spot cargoes.
• Weak seasonal consumption across ceramics and compounders led buyers to delay replenishment, weakening price support.
APAC
• In Japan, the Natural Steatite Price Index fell by 5.0% quarter-over-quarter, due to oversupply in October.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 551.33/MT, CIF Osaka, import-weighted in Japan.
• Natural Steatite Spot Price softened amid port inventory build-ups and steady Chinese export offers, pressuring values.
• Natural Steatite Price Forecast anticipates modest volatility with shipping costs and Chinese allocations dictating short-term direction.
• Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend stable; mining output steady, but freight increases modestly raised landed costs.
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remains muted near-term due to softer construction and conservative ceramics procurement practices.
• Natural Steatite Price Index showed recovery in December; tighter Chinese allocations and firmer freight supported bids.
• Port inventories remained elevated through December, weakening spot buying power and prolonging moderated price correction.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Tighter Chinese export allocations reduced available cargoes while import logistics strengthened, lifting landed costs marginally.
• Port and distributor inventories remained high, suppressing buying urgency despite steady converter consumption schedules ahead.
• Ocean freight firmness and environmental inspections in origins increased imports' delivered cost, supporting modest uptick.
Europe
• In Germany, the Natural Steatite Price Index fell by 6.65% quarter-over-quarter, due to improved availability.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 467.67/MT, per CFR assessments.
• Ample imports and adequate stocks pressured the Natural Steatite Spot Price, reducing spot assessment levels.
• The Natural Steatite Price Forecast expects limited upside short-term, with recovery contingent on stronger demand.
• Elevated industrial energy costs supported the Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend, constraining significant price declines.
• The Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remains weak as construction and plastics sectors operate below averages.
• Natural Steatite Price Index movements reflected inventory overhang and competitive import offers from exporting origins.
• Procurement stayed hand-to-mouth, distributors drew down rotation, keeping contract negotiations subdued into the new year.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Balanced imports from Finland, France and India maintained flows, preventing major December price increases thereby.
• Sufficient inventories and stable miller offtake reduced spot buying urgency, keeping December assessments effectively flat.
• High unchanged energy costs and a range-bound euro constra
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Natural Steatite Price Index rose by 9.2% quarter-over-quarter due to supply constraints.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 759.67/MT, reflecting higher landed costs.
• Tighter import availability lifted the Natural Steatite Spot Price, prompting competition for scarce CFR cargoes now.
• Elevated freight and bunker costs shifted the Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend, raising landed cost pressure.
• End-user resilience supported the Natural Steatite Demand Outlook, with plastics, ceramics and coatings sustaining offtake levels.
• Inventory drawdowns at Gulf Coast warehouses tightened balances and supported the Natural Steatite Price Index momentum.
• Buyers paid premiums for prompt cargoes, reinforcing the short-term Natural Steatite Price Forecast and market tightness.
• Operational constraints at Houston ports amplified logistics costs, sustaining higher landed prices despite freight stabilization.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in September 2025 in North America?
• Monsoon mining disruptions in South Asia reduced export volumes, constraining inbound supply to US Gulf.
• Houston congestion and higher bunker costs raised landed costs, forcing buyers to accept CFR premiums.
• Robust industrial demand from plastics, ceramics and coatings absorbed supply shortfalls, preventing domestic demand destruction.
APAC
• In Japan, the Natural Steatite Price Index rose by 10.12% quarter-over-quarter, from tighter imports and higher freight.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 580.33/MT CFR Osaka landed basis.
• Domestic consumption kept the Natural Steatite Spot Price supported despite supply-side bottlenecks and elevated logistics expenses.
• Rising freight and fuel increased the Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend, compressing importer margins and pressuring costs.
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remains resilient across electronics, ceramics, cosmetics, supporting sustained offtake into the near term.
• Short-term Natural Steatite Price Forecast indicates modest month-to-month gains driven by seasonal restocking and constrained supply.
• Inventory tightness and steady export demand strengthened the Natural Steatite Price Index, limiting downside risk for importers.
• Major supplier disruptions in China and Korea tightened flows, prompting buyers to prioritize quality, maintain schedules.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Logistical congestion and weather-related disruptions in major exporters reduced available Natural Steatite shipments to Japan in September.
• Rising intra-Asia freight rates and higher bunker costs increased landed costs, pushing the Price Index upward.
• Stable industrial demand from electronics, ceramics and cosmetics absorbed supply reductions, preventing significant downward price pressure.
Europe
• In Germany, the Natural Steatite Price Index rose by 5.9% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting supply constraints, resilient demand.
• The average Natural Steatite price for the quarter was approximately USD 501.00/MT, CFR Hamburg reported basis.
• Tight port congestion and lower inventories pushed the Natural Steatite Spot Price higher, tightening physical availability.
• Natural Steatite Price Forecast points to near-term upside given persistent supply disruptions and steady industrial consumption.
• Rising freight, insurance and fuel expenses elevated the Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend, pressuring importers' margins.
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remains firm as ceramics, automotive and coatings sectors sustain ongoing material consumption.
• Declining port inventories and export demand supported the Natural Steatite Price Index amid constrained inbound supply.
• Importers are drawing down inventories, prioritising critical production needs amid elevated landed costs and delays.
Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Supply constrictions from monsoon-impacted exporters and declared force majeure curtailed inbound volumes to European ports.
• Port congestion, longer voyages and higher insurance increased landed costs, pressuring import availability, buyer pricing.
• Robust industrial demand from ceramics and automotive sectors absorbed reduced volumes, preventing immediate demand destruction.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Natural Steatite Price Index in Q2 2025 saw a 2.8% quarter on quarter decrease compared to Q1 2025.
• Production costs remained relatively stable throughout the quarter. Energy and coke prices eased slightly, and logistics costs dipped due to shorter transit times (11–12 days to Houston), providing marginal cost relief.
• Demand stayed solid across cosmetics, construction, electronics, ceramics, plastics, paints, and industrial lubricants, with various sectors showing modest growth in Q2. Steady uptake helped absorb much of the supply.
• After modest upticks in early to mid quarter (driven by seasonal demand and supply disruptions from Canada), the index declined by the end as inventory built up and industrial offtake softened.
• Inventories & Supply Chains: By the end of the quarter, inventories remained elevated, import flows (including Canada, China, and beyond) stayed robust, and logistics remained stable, all reinforcing downward pressure.
Why did the Natural Steatite price change in July 2025 in North America?
As of July, mid-month, there’s no significant change reported in the Natural Steatite Price Index—no clear upward or downward move post Q2. Unlike graphite, no new tariffs or duties have been announced that would spur pre-buying or supply disruptions. Thus, prices appear to have remained relatively flat going into July 2025.
Europe
• Natural Steatite Price Index Decreased by approximately 1% quarter-on-quarter compared to Q1 2025.
• Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend: Input costs, especially for energy, freight, and regulatory compliance—were mildly elevated due to logistical bottlenecks at Hamburg/Bremerhaven, but no major cost spikes occurred, keeping overall costs relatively range-bound.
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook: Demand remained steady, supported by robust cosmetics consumption across Europe (notably strong L’Oréal sales) and signs of stabilization in Germany’s construction sector, even though housing remained weak
• Constrained supply due to environmental curbs in China, labor and logistical disruptions in India, plus port congestion in Germany balanced with steady demand from cosmetics and construction, leading to modest price decline
Why did the Natural Steatite price change in July 2025 in Europe?
Based on the latest available data, European Natural Steatite prices ticked slightly higher in July. This uptick stemmed from renewed strength in cosmetics and construction demand combined with fresh logistical constraints—particularly port delays in Northern Europe.
APAC
• Natural Steatite Price Index fell by about 1.5% quarter on quarter, driven by steady supply from China and South Korea exceeding subdued regional demand
• Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend remained relatively stable throughout the quarter, as energy and logistics costs showed minor fluctuations without significantly impacting landed costs
• Natural Steatite Demand Outlook varied across key sectors: In Japan, cosmetics and construction maintained firm offtake early in the quarter, though overall industrial demand eased by quarter end, Electronics and ceramics sectors remained steady but not strong enough to absorb oversupply.
• Natural Steatite Price Forecast for the medium term suggests continued downward pressure unless there’s a pickup in downstream activity or a notable reduction in exports from dominant suppliers like China
Why did the Natural Steatite price change in July 2025 in APAC?
The Natural Steatite Price Index in Asia saw a modest uptick, reversing some of the Q2 decline. This was largely due to a slight tightening in China’s domestic output and signs of increased downstream restocking in Japan. A recent report on China’s talc and steatite market showed demand stabilizing, with projections of “increasing consumption” through the decade. This prompted buyers to accelerate purchases, pushing the prices higher.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Natural Steatite Price Index in North American market fell consistently during the first quarter of 2025, settling at USD 677/MT CFR Houston, reflecting a 5.7% decrease QoQ compared to Q4 2024.
• Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in April 2025?
Prices decreased initially in April 2025 due to weakening demand from downstream industries and surplus inventories built up earlier in anticipation of potential tariffs.
• Early in the quarter, prices temporarily increased due to stronger Natural Steatite Demand Outlook from sectors such as cosmetics and lubricants, alongside a manufacturing rebound.
• Mid- to late quarter saw a consistent price drop, driven by import oversupply, inventory stockpiling, and softening industrial consumption.
• The Natural Steatite Spot Price declined as demand fell in end-use markets including beauty, ceramics, and industrial lubricants.
• Supply chains remained functional, and imports continued, but were met with limited domestic offtake.
• The Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend remained stable, but market oversaturation diminished any potential cost-led support.
• The Natural Steatite Price Forecast points to continued softness unless downstream demand picks up or import volumes are curtailed.
Europe
• The Natural Steatite Price Index in Europe ended Q1 2025 at USD 460/MT CFR Hamburg, marking a 3.4% decrease QoQ compared to Q4 2024.
• Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in April 2025?
Natural Steatite prices decreased in early April due to balanced supply, easing freight costs, and weakening demand from the construction and manufacturing sectors.
• Initial price spikes occurred due to extreme winter weather and port disruptions, which temporarily tightened supply.
• By mid-quarter, Natural Steatite Spot Price saw a sharp correction as conditions normalized and freight expenses declined.
• The Natural Steatite Demand Outlook remained relatively firm in the beauty and personal care segment, driven by digital-physical retail strategies and premium product trends.
• However, industrial demand dropped, especially in Germany, impacting overall pricing.
• Imports and domestic supply stabilized across the region, while demand failed to rebound meaningfully.
• The Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend was influenced slightly by energy and logistics fluctuations, but generally trended neutral.
• The Natural Steatite Price Forecast anticipates range-bound prices unless macroeconomic sentiment improves in core industrial markets.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The Natural Steatite Price Index in APAC (focused on Japan) closed Q1 2025 at USD 500/MT CFR Osaka, showing a 2.7% QoQ decrease from Q4 2024.
• Why did the price of Natural Steatite change in April 2025?
Prices decreased in the early weeks of April, as inventories rose and demand from ceramics, construction, and beauty sectors remained weak.
• Early quarter pricing increased briefly due to supply disruptions in China during the Lunar New Year and severe weather affecting logistics.
• Festive-driven demand from the beauty and personal care industry provided some early support, but this proved short-lived.
• By mid- to late-quarter, Natural Steatite Spot Price declined as Chinese and South Korean supply increased, overwhelming soft regional demand.
• The Natural Steatite Demand Outlook in Japan remained weak amid cautious procurement strategies and global economic headwinds.
• End-use industries such as construction, ceramics, and cosmetics were slow to restock, limiting price recovery potential.
• The Natural Steatite Production Cost Trend remained stable, though not enough to counter the oversupply situation.
• The Natural Steatite Price Forecast projects continued downward pressure unless there’s a pickup in industrial activity or reduced exports from key suppliers like China.
