For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Price Index in the U.S. registered a quarter-on-quarter decline of 0.7%, as prices settled at USD 1980/MT FOB Gulf Coast by end of June, reflecting mixed market sentiment driven by alternating phases of tight supply and bearish demand trends.
• Why did the price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates change in July 2025 in USA? In early July 2025, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Spot Price decreased, attributed to persistent overcapacity in the domestic chemicals sector and subdued downstream offtake from the personal care industry. Weak demand was further exacerbated by cautious buyer behaviour amid geopolitical uncertainty and trade-related disruptions.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Production Cost Trend remained relatively stable, with phenol prices steady and ethylene oxide experiencing a downward movement. However, this cost relief did little to counter the bearish pressure created by slowing exports and heightened market volatility.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Demand Outlook stayed weak across the quarter, especially from the personal care segment.
• Concerns over global recession and tariff uncertainty reduced market participation and delayed contractual engagements, leading to inventory build-up and lower transaction volumes.
APAC
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Price Index in China witnessed a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.5%, as prices settled at USD 1569/MT FOB Qingdao reflecting a volatile quarter marked by alternating bullish and bearish phases driven by supply tightness and inconsistent downstream demand.
• Why did the price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates change in July 2025 in China? In early July 2025, the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Spot Price declined, largely due to oversupply conditions and sluggish demand from the personal care sector. Additionally, trade tensions and the imposition of tariffs led to reduced export activity and cautious purchasing.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Production Cost Trend showed stability in phenol and ethylene oxide pricing, but this was insufficient to mitigate the bearish market sentiment fuelled by weakened demand and geopolitical instability.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Demand Outlook remained moderately optimistic earlier in the quarter due to increased consumption in personal care products during the summer season. However, by July, the positive sentiment faded as market uncertainty and declining export confidence curtailed procurement volumes.
Europe
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Price Index in Germany declined 2.9% quarter-on-quarter, underscoring a sustained bearish trend driven by oversupply, weakened demand, and regional economic pressures.
• Why did the price of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates change in July 2025 in Germany? In early July 2025, the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Spot Price remained stable, following a drop in June, as the market digested previous inventory accumulations. Despite a slight increase in feedstock costs, the prevailing oversupply and limited offtake restricted any significant upward price movement.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Production Cost Trend was influenced by rising feedstock prices (phenol and ethylene oxide), but the impact was muted due to the high inventory levels and low conversion rates across the region.
• The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Demand Outlook stayed bearish, with personal care industry demand failing to rebound significantly. External pressures, such as high energy costs, EU compliance burdens, and slow export activity, continued to challenge market recovery throughout Q2.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the price trend for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the USA demonstrated notable fluctuations, influenced by varying supply and demand dynamics. January began with a price decline, primarily due to improved supply conditions amidst input cost challenges. Despite inflationary pressures faced by manufacturers, sufficient market supply allowed pricing adjustments that catered to heightened e-commerce sales and consumer demand in the personal care sector.
February saw continued price reductions exacerbated by subdued market sentiment, leading to cautious pricing strategies from sellers. Although the demand remained steady for personal care products, market participants struggled with excess inventory and competitive pricing, culminating in a further drop in product prices.
In March, a shift occurred as prices rose. This increase was driven by low inventory levels creating a supply crunch, alongside a seasonal uptick in demand as summer approached, leading to aggressive purchasing behaviors among buyers. Overall, while Q1 exhibited initial price declines due to cautious consumer sentiment and inventory build-ups, a late-quarter rebound highlighted the resilience of the personal care sector amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.
APAC
The Q1 2025 price trend for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the APAC region, particularly in China, revealed a complex interplay of supply and demand dynamics driven by various economic factors.
In January, prices softened due to weak demand from the beauty and personal care sector, negatively impacted by economic uncertainty. As manufacturers faced sluggish consumer spending, with major brands struggling and reporting significant profit declines, a cautious market approach emerged, pushing prices lower.
The bearish trend persisted into February. Supply levels remained high. Despite a slight increase in retail sales, demand remained overall subdued due to ongoing economic instability.
March saw a price increase as low inventory levels created supply tightness, combined with a seasonal surge in demand as summer approached. Increased focus on personal care products bolstered demand, driven by rising consumer incomes and a shift toward premium offerings.
In summary, the quarter experienced initial price declines leading into recovery by March, indicating a potential market rebound amid evolving consumer preferences in the personal care sector.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates prices in Europe particularly Germany exhibited a bearish trend early in the quarter, driven by weak demand and lower production costs. The prices faced downward pressure as the cosmetics and personal care sectors contended with rising operational costs and regulatory challenges. January saw sluggish sales growth, which contributed to prolonged low buyer activity and excess inventory.
As the quarter progressed into February, a continuation of subdued market sentiment saw prices further decline due to weak demand despite some resilience in specific beauty segments. The influential European beauty sector remained mixed, with only select areas demonstrating growth, indicating a cautious market sentiment.
March, however, marked a shift with prices rising. This rise was fueled by low inventory levels creating supply tightness and seasonal demand increases from the personal care industry. The momentum of summer seasonality and proactive buying behavior from suppliers indicated a tightening market position, suggesting optimism moving forward.
In summary, Q1 2025 price trends for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in Germany reflected initial weakness due to economic pressures, followed by a notable recovery in March attributed to supply dynamics and seasonal demand increases.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
North America's Q4 2024 Nonylphenol Ethoxylates market, especially in the US, saw prices fluctuate as a result of multiple factors influencing supply and demand dynamics. October began with price increases due to strong demand from end-user industries like surfactants and detergents, despite ample supply. This upward trend continued late in the month, with a stable phenol-benzene premium offsetting declining ethylene oxide and phenol costs.
November saw price stability, maintained by consistent personal care sector demand and robust supply chains, even with a slight rise in ethylene oxide prices. However, December brought a significant price decline. This was attributed to a typical seasonal slowdown in demand, adjustments to earlier input cost inflation, and weakness in the broader manufacturing sector. Despite lower phenol prices and stable ethylene oxide costs, sufficient supply allowed for price reductions as manufacturers adapted inventory to reflect the market changes. E-commerce growth in December partially offset the overall decline in retail sales.
The market faced challenges stemming from price volatility, managing input cost inflation, and adapting to fluctuating demand patterns. Manufacturers had to balance profitability with competitive pricing strategies within a broader economic context.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates market in the APAC region experienced price volatility shaped by a complex interplay of factors. October opened with price increases fueled by moderate demand from the personal care sector and anxieties surrounding Middle Eastern oil supply disruptions. This upward trend continued later in the month due to rising ethylene oxide prices, despite stable phenol costs. November maintained price stability, supported by consistent personal care demand, even as phenol prices declined. However, a significant shift occurred in December. A typical seasonal slowdown, coupled with oversupply and weak demand, led to a sharp price decrease. This decline was further exacerbated by a downward trend in both ethylene oxide and phenol prices, easing overall production costs.
The personal care sector, while exhibiting moderate growth throughout the quarter, experienced a significant slowdown during the year-end holidays, directly impacting demand for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. This created challenges for market participants who had to navigate volatile pricing, manage excess inventory due to oversupply, and contend with intensifying competition.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates market in the European region, particularly Germany experienced significant price volatility. October started with price increases driven by strong demand from the detergents and surfactants sector, despite sufficient supply. Late October saw further increases, with a stable phenol-benzene premium offsetting lower ethylene oxide and phenol costs. November maintained price stability due to holiday shopping and consistent personal care demand, even as raw material prices fell. However, December witnessed a sharp price decline. This was due to weak domestic demand, lower raw material (ethylene oxide and phenol) costs, and severe global port congestion impacting deliveries. The quarter ended at USD 2518/MT FOB Hamburg, a substantial decrease from the beginning of the quarter.
Several factors contributed to this volatility: strong early demand, followed by a December slowdown; fluctuating raw material costs; the positive impact of holiday shopping in November, and supply chain disruptions. Weak German manufacturing and sluggish European personal care sales also exerted downward pressure on prices in December. Market participants faced challenges in managing volatile pricing, fluctuating raw material costs, and supply chain disruptions.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American market for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates witnessed a notable increase in prices. This surge can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the demand for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates remained robust across the region, driven by steady procurement from downstream Personal care sector including surfactants and detergents.
Upstream ethylene oxide, which was required for the manufacture of nonylphenol ethoxylates, was sufficiently available. This ensured steady output with little disruption to the supply chain. Moreover, the pricing environment was influenced by fluctuations in crude oil prices, which impacted manufacturing costs.
Moving specifically to the USA, the market experienced significant price changes, with a 1% increase from the previous quarter in 2024. The second half of the quarter saw a 4% price difference compared to the first half, indicating a notable uptrend. Ultimately, the quarter-ending price for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Gulf Coast in the USA stood at USD 2505/MT, reflecting a positive and increasing pricing environment in the region.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the pricing of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the APAC region experienced a notable increase, particularly in China. This quarter has been characterized by a steady rise in market prices, driven by various factors. The demand from industries like personal care and surfactants has played a significant role in influencing prices, with manufacturers operating at reduced capacity levels due to economic uncertainties. Additionally, supply chain disruptions, high freight charges, and limited availability of raw materials have all contributed to the upward pricing trend. In China specifically, the market has seen the most significant price changes, reflecting a consistent increase throughout the quarter. Prices have shown resilience with negligible change from the previous quarter in 2024. The second half of the quarter saw a notable 5% price increase compared to the first half, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 1680/MT for Nonylphenol Ethoxylate 9.5 mole FOB Qingdao. Overall, the pricing environment in Q3 2024 has been characterized by a positive and steady upward trajectory.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the pricing environment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the Europe region has been characterized by a steady increase in prices. This upward trend has been primarily influenced by a combination of factors. Firstly, the surge in crude oil prices globally has raised manufacturing costs for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, contributing to the price escalation. Additionally, the availability of upstream materials, such as Ethylene Oxide, has been sufficient, ensuring consistent production levels but also supporting the price hike. Furthermore, demand from end-user industries like surfactants and detergents has shown a moderate increase, further bolstering prices. Specifically focusing on Germany, which has experienced the most significant price changes in the region, the overall trend has been one of consistent price growth. Seasonal factors and market dynamics have played a crucial role in driving prices upwards. The quarter-on-quarter increase of 3% highlights the sustained upward movement in prices. The comparison between the first and second half of the quarter, which saw a 3% price difference, further underscored the steady price appreciation. As of the latest quarter-ending, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 9.5 mole FOB Hamburg in Germany was priced at USD 2570/MT, reflecting a stable and positive pricing environment.
FAQs:
Q1. What led to the July 2025 price drop in the U.S. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates market?
A1. The price drop was due to domestic overcapacity, weak demand from personal care segments, and market reluctance due to trade tensions and tariff impositions.
Q2. Why did the Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Price Index in China fall in July despite earlier bullish trends?
A2. The bearish shift in July was driven by excess supply and falling demand as trade uncertainty undermined both export potential and domestic business confidence.
Q3. How did production costs influence European Nonylphenol Ethoxylates prices in Q2 2025?
A3. Though feedstock prices rose modestly, the effect on overall production cost was neutralized by oversupply and sluggish downstream demand, leading to price stability in July.
Q4. What is the forecast for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates demand in Q3 2025?
A4. The Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Forecast indicates cautious optimism in APAC due to seasonal demand, but the outlook remains muted in North America and Europe due to persistent market uncertainty and geopolitical risks.
