For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
The North American market witnessed a bearish trend for the prices of nonylphenol throughout the second quarter of 2023. This was largely due to declination in the prices of upstream crude oil and phenol. The market for phenol was also recorded to be depreciating due to the falling prices of crude oil and in addition to a low demand from downstream rubber and adipic acid industry. Moreover, the demand for nonylphenol was also recorded to be low from the lubrication and laundry and dish detergents, which was evidenced by declination in the prices of castor oil for lubrication industry and nonylphenol ethoxylates for surfactants. The optimum supply of inventory was indicated by the optimal operations of Crude oil processing plants in addition to the ease of congestion of ports in the Gulf Coast. The low demand was evidenced by declining prices of downstream demand of nonylphenol ethoxylates for the surfactant industry along with depreciating prices of lubricating oils. Furthermore, the low demand for phenol from the downstream rubber and adipic acid industry, which led to the depreciation of prices in phenol also contributed to the decline in the prices of nonylphenol.
APAC
The prices for nonylphenol witnessed a bearish trend throughout the second quarter of 2023, recording a decline of almost 6% in the Asian market. Even though the petrochemical industry recovered in Asia due to falling crude oil prices, the demand from downstream surfactant industry was recorded to be low as the ongoing inflation which was recorded to be about 5%, depressed the buying sentiments of the end user consumer. Moreover, offers from international exports also looked bleak, as the dull outlook on the global economy restricted purchasing activities in the international market. The low demand in contrast to optimum production levels compelled distributors to sell excessive inventories at negotiable prices in order to mitigate the large amounts of underutilized stocks, thereby further declining the profit margins and price of the commodity. The fall in the prices of phenol, due to ease in production cost also contributed to the declination of the prices of commodity. The final price of nonylphenol at the termination of second quarter of 2023 was recorded to be USD 2590/MT Ex-Mumbai.
Europe
The European market situation for nonylphenol witnessed bearish trend largely due to decline in the prices of phenol because of declining prices in crude oil. The weak demand from downstream lubricating oil industry also made a significant contribution to the declining prices of crude oil. Even though a strong demand from the detergent industry was recorded, there was no effect on the prices of nonylphenol, other than appreciation of costs in nonylphenol ethoxylates. The offers from the international market also looked bleak as purchasing activities were limited due to sluggish recovery of the European economy, with the PMI declining from 45 to 38 in the second quarter of 2023. Supply I the region was recorded to be normal as declining prices of phenol ensured optimum production rates, although labour strikes for higher wages were recorded at some ports. Overall demand, however, remained sluggish despite good demand from the downstream detergent industry. Excess inventory produced were being sold at lower profit margins thereby depreciating the prices further.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
During the first quarter of 2023, North America witnessed moderate to low demand for Nonyl Phenol. Slow economic activity was the main reason, even as production remained unaffected. According to data, the downstream industries like textiles and cosmetics saw some improvement by the end of the quarter, but it was lower than anticipated due to prolonged inflationary pressure. The FED's frequent price revisions for domestic interest rates were adding to the country's economic concerns and impacting demand for the product.
Asia
In March 2023, despite the seasonal demand, prices for the product remained low due to low demand in the global market. However, the Indian market performed better than many major economies. The supply remained moderate to stable, and no hindrances were observed in the production activities. On the other hand, in February 2023, prices for the product rose due to the seasonal burst of demand from downstream industries. The supply remained stable, and expensive imports also supported the price trend. The demand improved from the downstream industries, and it is expected to rise further in the coming month. The better performance of downstream industries also supported the current price movement.
Europe
The Europe economy has been struggling due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which has negatively impacted regional economic activities. Data indicates that demand for Nonyl Phenol from the domestic ethoxylates and cosmetics industries remained low, while other sectors, such as construction and textiles, have also experienced a seasonal slowdown. Despite some supply chain disruptions caused by snow, supplies remained stable to firm, and the narrow demand-supply gap supported a downward price trend—the lower risk of a recession generated optimism for future demand.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Nonyl Phenol's market value in the North American market showcased conflicting trends in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to changes in downstream demand from a variety of sectors. Due to the textile, detergent, and packaging industries' inconsistent growth during the quarter, there were peaks and troughs in demand for Nonyl Phenol in both industries. In addition, upstream expenses and variable production costs affected the growth of the Nonyl Phenol industry. As a result, the price trend for Nonyl Phenol decreased in October, rose in November, and then decreased once more in December. Furthermore, December destocking was another factor that caused the Nonyl Phenol prices to decline as the year approached its end.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the market prices of Nonyl Phenol in the Asia-Pacific region displayed contradictory tendencies because of changes in downstream demand from a number of industries. Demand for Nonyl Phenol fluctuated up and down because of the textile, detergent, and packaging industries' inconsistent growth during the quarter. Additionally, the growth of the Nonyl Phenol sector was impacted by upstream costs and variable production costs. As a result, the Nonyl Phenol price trend fell in October, rose in November, and then fell once more in December. As the year came to an end, another factor that drove Nonyl Phenol prices to fall was December destocking.
Europe
The market value of Nonyl Phenol in the European market showed mixed sentiments in the fourth quarter of 2022 because of variations in downstream demand from different industries. Amidst uneven growth of the packaging, detergent, and textile industries, demand for Nonyl Phenol moved up and down. Upstream expenses and variable manufacturing costs also had an impact on the growth of the nonyl phenol market. Because of this, the price trend for Nonyl phenol decreased in October, increased in November, then decreased once again in December. Meanwhile, a sharp drop in freight charges resulted in increased availability of cheaper Asian imports on European shores, further easing the prices in Q4 2022.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
Due to higher upstream costs, Nonyl Phenol prices increased steadily in the North American market during the third quarter of 2022. As the cost of phenol, the raw material needed to create Nonyl Phenol, increased throughout the quarter, causing the higher upstream cost for Nonyl Phenol production, the market value of nonyl phenol upsurged correspondingly. Nonyl Phenol cost also grew as Nonyl Phenol usage increased in the paper, detergent, and textile industries. Additionally, the whole supply chain was disrupted, and the market's supply of materials was constrained by port backlogs, vessel bunching, and berth delays in the North American nations, which supported the overall inclining pricing trend of Nonyl Phenol in the region.
APAC
During the third quarter of 2022, the Asia-Pacific region saw a steady increase in Nonyl Phenol prices due to higher upstream costs. Nonyl phenol's price increased throughout the quarter because of an increase in the manufacturing cost caused by the rising price of phenol, the raw material used to make it. In addition, Nonyl Phenol uses increased in the textile, paper, and detergent industries, which increased Nonyl Phenol pricing. In addition, port congestions, vessel bunching, and berth delays in some countries disrupted the overall supply chain and limited the material available in the market. Hence, the assessed price value of Nonyl Phenol was USD 2924.44/MT Ex-Mumbai during September in the Indian market.
Europe
Nonyl Phenol prices in the European market rose steadily in the third quarter of 2022 because of the higher upstream costs. The price of phenol, a necessary raw material for the manufacturing of nonyl phenol, rose during the quarter, leading to higher upstream costs for nonyl phenol production. As a result, the market price of nonyl phenol also climbed. As Nonyl Phenol consumption rose in the paper, detergent, and textile sectors, so did its price. Additionally, the European countries' port backlogs, vessel bunching, and berth delays impacted the entire supply chain and limited the market's supply of materials, which supported the overall upward pricing trend of nonyl phenol in the area.
The prices of Nonyl Phenol dropped at the beginning of the second quarter of 2022 in North America but started surging from May and showcased an upward pricing trend in June. The prime reason behind these fluctuations in Nonyl Phenol price value was flickering feedstock market value. The feedstock price of Nonyl Phenol decreased in April, regained its pace, and started soaring in May, which continued till June. Strong downstream demand from detergent, paper, and textile industries was also a crucial factor behind the price rise of Nonyl Phenol in the North American region. Furthermore, Escalated energy costs, elevated freight charges, and congested ports amidst Russia-Ukraine war tensions further exacerbated the price value of Nonyl Phenol.
The Asia-Pacific region witnessed a consistent surge in the prices of Nonyl Phenol during the second quarter of 2022 on the back of increased upstream costs. As the price value of raw material Phenol mainly was soaring throughout the quarter, the manufacturing cost to produce Nonyl Phenol inclined, which eventually led to the price hike of Nonyl Phenol during the quarter. Furthermore, the consumption of Nonyl phenol was growing in textile, paper, and detergent industries, which propelled the Nonyl Phenol prices upwards. Moreover, increased crude oil prices, inflated freight charges, supply disruptions amidst Russia-Ukraine war tensions, and another outbreak of covid added to the already augmented market value of Nonyl Phenol.
Following the pricing trend of Nonyl Phenol in Asia-Pacific, the European countries witnessed a steady increase in Nonyl Phenol prices due to higher upstream costs. The cost of producing Nonyl Phenol climbed as the price value of the raw material. Phenol was primarily rising throughout the quarter, which eventually contributed to the price increase of Nonyl Phenol during the quarter. In addition, Nonyl Phenol usage increased in the textile, paper, and detergent industries, which increased Nonyl Phenol pricing. Elevated crude oil prices further increased the already elevated market value of Nonyl Phenol, escalated freight costs, and supply difficulties due to tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war.
