For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Perchloroethylene Prices in North America
- In United States, the Perchloroethylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging natural gas feedstock costs.
- The Perchloroethylene Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as producer prices rose 4.0% year-over-year.
- Analysts revised the Perchloroethylene Price Forecast upward in March 2026, supported by a 3.3% consumer inflation rate.
- The Perchloroethylene Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026 because the Manufacturing Index expanded, boosting industrial solvent consumption.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, sustaining baseline consumption for heavy-duty cleaning solvents.
- Retail sales increased 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026, supporting commercial supply chains and fluorocarbon refrigerant applications.
- Unemployment reached 4.3% and consumer confidence hit 91.8 in March 2026, driving professional apparel care demand.
- Henry Hub natural gas spot prices spiked in January 2026, directly elevating upstream chlorine and ethylene expenses.
- Underground natural gas inventories plummeted and liquefied natural gas exports surged during January 2026, tightening feedstock availability.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in March 2026 in North America?
- Severe winter weather in January 2026 temporarily dropped natural gas production, tightening upstream ethane availability.
- Elevated producer prices in March 2026 forced manufacturers to pass higher energy costs to buyers.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, increasing industrial demand for metal degreasing and solvents.
Perchloroethylene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Perchloroethylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by weakened domestic buying sentiment.
- In March 2026, retail sales grew 1.7% and CPI rose 1.0%, limiting the Perchloroethylene Demand Outlook.
- The Perchloroethylene Production Cost Trend declined in Q1 2026 despite a 0.5% PPI rise in March 2026.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% and the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting industrial Perchloroethylene consumption.
- In February 2026, consumer confidence hit 91.6, and March 2026 unemployment reached 5.4%, dampening Perchloroethylene applications.
- Ethylene feedstock costs experienced a deep correction in Q1 2026, further suppressing the Perchloroethylene Price Index.
- Industry inventories accumulated across major production hubs in Q1 2026, prompting producers to adjust operating rates.
- While export volumes surged sharply in Jan-Feb 2026, Southeast Asian inquiries declined notably throughout Q1 2026.
- The Perchloroethylene Price Forecast remained bearish in March 2026 as procurement activity slowed amid economic uncertainties.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Domestic supply outpaced demand in Q1 2026, creating an oversupplied market that suppressed regional pricing.
- Ethylene feedstock costs weakened significantly in Q1 2026, removing critical upstream regional production cost support.
- Procurement activity slowed in Q1 2026 as buyers adopted cautious approaches amid global economic uncertainties.
Perchloroethylene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Perchloroethylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream energy and feedstock costs.
- The Perchloroethylene Production Cost Trend increased during Q1 2026 as chlorine and ethylene feedstock expenses spiked significantly.
- Germany's CPI rose 2.7% in March 2026, reflecting higher energy costs that directly inflated perchloroethylene production expenses.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, boosting the Perchloroethylene Demand Outlook for heavy industrial metal degreasing applications.
- Industrial production remained stagnant at 0.0% in February 2026, limiting baseline perchloroethylene consumption growth for industrial refrigerants.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment hit 4.2% in February 2026, supporting perchloroethylene demand in dry cleaning.
- Consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026, reducing durable goods purchases and impacting metal degreasing solvent use.
- Despite a -0.2% PPI in March 2026, the Perchloroethylene Price Forecast remained elevated due to import disruptions.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Ethylene and chlorine feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to escalating crude oil prices.
- Regional chemical supply tightened significantly in March 2026 amid severe Middle East geopolitical shipping disruptions.
- Automotive factory orders rebounded in February 2026, increasing perchloroethylene consumption for metal degreasing applications.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Perchloroethylene Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Perchloroethylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by increasing production costs.
- Perchloroethylene production costs increased as natural gas spot prices gradually rose in the final months of 2025.
- A polar vortex event in late November and early December 2025 sharply pushed natural gas prices higher.
- Industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting Perchloroethylene demand in industrial sectors.
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, contributing to higher Perchloroethylene production expenses.
- The Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, indicating rising input costs for Perchloroethylene producers.
- Overall manufacturers' and trade inventories slightly increased in October 2025, influencing Perchloroethylene supply levels.
- Retail sales grew 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, indirectly supporting Perchloroethylene demand through consumer goods production.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in December 2025 in North America?
- Natural gas spot prices sharply rose in late November and early December 2025, increasing Perchloroethylene production costs.
- Industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting Perchloroethylene demand in industrial applications.
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, impacting Perchloroethylene manufacturing expenses.
Perchloroethylene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Perchloroethylene Price Index fell in Q4 2025, driven by contracting industrial activity and subdued chemical demand.
- Perchloroethylene production costs in Germany rose in Q4 2025 from increased natural gas levies and elevated industrial gas prices.
- Perchloroethylene demand remained subdued in Q4 2025, despite a 0.8% industrial production increase in October 2025.
- The Perchloroethylene Price Index faced downward pressure in December 2025, as producer prices fell by 2.5% year-on-year.
- A contracting Manufacturing Index in December 2025 signaled reduced industrial activity, dampening Perchloroethylene demand in key applications.
- Elevated European industrial gas prices in Q4 2025, higher than competing regions, contributed to increased Perchloroethylene manufacturing expenses.
- Weak domestic demand in the broader European chemical industry in Q4 2025 impacted Perchloroethylene trade flows and inventory levels.
- Consumer confidence declined to -17.5 in December 2025, indirectly affecting Perchloroethylene demand in consumer-driven sectors.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices fell 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand and contracting manufacturing.
- Pessimistic consumer confidence at -17.5 in December 2025 dampened overall spending, reducing Perchloroethylene end-use demand.
- Elevated industrial gas prices and increased natural gas levies in Q4 2025 raised Perchloroethylene production costs.
Perchloroethylene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Perchloroethylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by material oversupply.
- The Perchloroethylene Production Cost Trend declined in December 2025, aligning with the -1.9% factory-gate PPI drop.
- Retail sales grew 0.9% and CPI rose 0.8% in December 2025, reflecting cautious consumer spending patterns.
- Despite industrial production growing 5.2% in December 2025, the Perchloroethylene Demand Outlook remained subdued across sectors.
- Urban unemployment reached 5.1% and consumer confidence hit 89.5 in December 2025, dampening domestic chemical consumption.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, yet domestic Perchloroethylene inventories accumulated due to material oversupply.
- Automotive degreasing and dry cleaning solvent demand weakened significantly during the October-December 2025 market period.
- Perchloroethylene export volumes plummeted in December 2025 as inquiries from Southeast Asian markets declined notably.
- The Perchloroethylene Price Forecast indicated continued weakness in Q4 2025 as the Perchloroethylene Price Index dropped.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Domestic inventories accumulated heavily due to material oversupply and steady-to-high production rates in Q4 2025.
- Industrial consumption remained subdued as dry cleaning and metal degreasing demand weakened in Q4 2025.
- Global hydrocarbon chlorination feedstock costs softened, reducing upstream production pressures during the Q4 2025 period.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In United States, the Perchloroethylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter, driven by increased production costs and demand.
- Perchloroethylene production costs increased due to rising ethylene feedstock costs and an overall upward trend in natural gas prices in Q3 2025.
- Rising CPI (3.0% YoY in September 2025) and PPI (2.6% YoY in August 2025) contributed to higher manufacturing expenses.
- Demand for dry cleaning services strengthened in Q3 2025, supported by robust retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Industrial cleaning and metal degreasing demand increased, aligning with strengthening manufacturing output in Q3 2025.
- Chemical industry inventories tightened in Q3 2025 as destocking accelerated, indicating reduced supply.
- Weak industrial production growth (0.1% YoY in September 2025) tempered overall industrial chemical demand.
- The Perchloroethylene Price Index is forecast to remain firm due to sustained cost pressures and consistent demand outlook.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising CPI (3.0% YoY in September 2025) and PPI (2.6% YoY in August 2025) increased overall production costs.
- Ethylene feedstock costs rose in Q3 2025; natural gas prices trended upward year-over-year, impacting energy.
- Strengthening demand for dry cleaning and industrial cleaning services supported price increases in Q3 2025.
APAC
- In China, the Perchloroethylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity.
- Perchloroethylene production costs were reduced by significant drops in naphtha feedstock prices in late August 2025.
- Demand faced headwinds from -0.3% CPI YoY and a 5.2% unemployment rate in September 2025, indicating weak consumer spending.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and lower solvent demand.
- Despite industrial production growing 6.5% YoY in September 2025, overall domestic demand remained soft in Q3 2025.
- A -2.3% PPI YoY in September 2025 suggested weak industrial pricing power, pressuring Perchloroethylene prices.
- Retail sales grew 3.0% YoY in September 2025, but low consumer confidence (89.6 index) still dampened discretionary spending.
- Ethylene overcapacity in Northeast Asia and increased China's reliance on naphtha feedstock influenced market dynamics.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand, with -0.3% CPI YoY in September 2025, reduced dry cleaning service spending.
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 led to lower industrial activity, decreasing Perchloroethylene demand.
- Significant drops in naphtha feedstock costs in late August 2025 reduced production expenses, influencing Perchloroethylene pricing.
Europe
- In Germany, the Perchloroethylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting industrial activity.
- Perchloroethylene production costs faced pressure from elevated natural gas prices and rising EDC feedstock costs in Q3 2025.
- Demand for Perchloroethylene was dampened by a 1.0% year-over-year decline in industrial production in September 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling reduced demand for industrial solvents.
- Consumer spending, impacted by a 2.4% CPI increase in September 2025, negatively affected dry cleaning demand.
- European chemical industry capacity utilization remained low in Q3 2025, impacting Perchloroethylene supply.
- German chemical exports weakened in July and August 2025, while imports increased, affecting trade flows.
- The Perchloroethylene price forecast suggests continued pressure from subdued industrial activity and mixed cost inputs.
- Retail sales increased by 0.2% year-over-year in September 2025, offering slight support to dry cleaning demand.
Why did the price of Perchloroethylene change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025 reduced industrial solvent demand for Perchloroethylene.
- Producer prices decreased by 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025, due to lower energy costs.
- Elevated natural gas prices and rising EDC feedstock costs in Q3 2025 pressured production.
