For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the Phosphorous Pentasulphide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increasing production costs.
• Production costs increased in Q3 2025 due to an uptick in natural gas and industrial electricity prices in August 2025.
• Demand was supported by strengthened automotive and surging agricultural chemical sectors in Q3 2025.
• Industrial production grew slowly at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025, limiting P2S5 industrial demand.
• Strong retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, boosted automotive lubricant demand.
• Consumer confidence declined in September 2025, potentially dampening future P2S5 demand in automotive applications.
• Chemical manufacturers reported accelerating destocking and negative finished goods inventory levels in Q3 2025.
• US chemical production contracted in Q3 2025; new orders for chemicals, both domestic and foreign, dropped.
• The Phosphorous Pentasulphide Price Index is forecast to remain firm due to persistent cost-push inflation.
Why did the price of Phosphorous Pentasulphide change in September 2025 in North America?
• Rising natural gas costs and increased industrial electricity prices in August 2025 elevated production expenses.
• A 2.6% year-over-year increase in the Producer Price Index in August 2025 indicated higher input costs.
• General inflation, with CPI up 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, increased raw material and logistics costs.
Europe
• In Germany, the Phosphorous Pentasulphide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased feedstock costs.
• Phosphorous Pentasulphide production costs increased due to significant growth in European sulfur prices and high industrial electricity in Q3 2025.
• Germany's Manufacturing Index was contracting in Q3 2025, with industrial production declining 1.0% in September, impacting demand.
• Germany's CPI increased 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, reflecting rising general operational costs for producers.
• Despite producer prices of industrial products falling 1.7% in September 2025, energy costs remained a concern for production.
• The automotive sector's industrial output rebounded sharply in September 2025, offering some support for Phosphorous Pentasulphide demand.
• Retail sales rose by 0.2% in September 2025, suggesting stable consumer spending, indirectly supporting automotive lubricant demand.
• Stable unemployment at 6.3% in September 2025 indicated consistent consumer income, broadly influencing overall market demand.
Why did the price of Phosphorous Pentasulphide change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Sulfur prices, a key feedstock, grew significantly in early 2025 due to supply shortages.
• High industrial electricity prices in Germany increased operational expenditures in Q3 2025.
• Germany's Manufacturing Index contracting in Q3 2025 indicated weaker industrial demand.
APAC
• In China, the Phosphorous Pentasulphide Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
• Phosphorous Pentasulphide production costs faced downward pressure from a -2.3% PPI year-on-year in September 2025.
• The manufacturing index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced industrial activity and lower demand.
• Overall chemical industry overcapacity in China during Q3 2025 depressed utilization rates for Phosphorous Pentasulphide.
• Automotive demand strengthened in July 2025, supporting Phosphorous Pentasulphide consumption in lubricant additives.
• China's industrial production grew 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, providing some underlying demand.
• Deflationary CPI at -0.3% in September 2025 signaled weak consumer demand, impacting end-product consumption.
• Retail sales increased 3.0% in September 2025, offering indirect support to Phosphorous Pentasulphide demand.
• Unemployment rate of 5.2% in September 2025 suggested reduced purchasing power, affecting Phosphorous Pentasulphide demand.
Why did the price of Phosphorous Pentasulphide change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Falling PPI at -2.3% in September 2025 indicated weak industrial demand, pressuring Phosphorous Pentasulphide prices.
• A contracting manufacturing index in September 2025 reduced industrial activity, leading to lower Phosphorous Pentasulphide demand.
• Overall chemical industry overcapacity in Q3 2025 contributed to depressed utilization rates and downward price pressure.