For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the Polycarboxylate Ether Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by weakening construction demand.
• The Polycarboxylate Ether demand outlook is cautious, as consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025.
• US housing starts experienced volatility in Q3 2025, impacting Polycarboxylate Ether consumption in residential construction.
• Overall industrial production was nearly stagnant at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025, limiting industrial construction demand.
• The Polycarboxylate Ether Price Index was pressured by a 2.6% year-over-year rise in producer prices in August 2025.
• Chemical industry inventories in the US shrank in Q3 2025, as companies accelerated destocking of raw materials.
• Strong retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supported some commercial construction activity.
Why did the price of Polycarboxylate Ether change in September 2025 in North America?
• Weakening US construction spending and tumbling housing starts reduced Polycarboxylate Ether demand.
• Rising producer prices, up 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, pressured overall Polycarboxylate Ether costs.
APAC
• In China, Polycarboxylate Ether Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, reflecting weak demand and industrial slowdown.
• Polycarboxylate Ether demand was bearish due to a 0.3% CPI decrease year-over-year in September 2025.
• Production costs saw downward pressure from declining upstream naphtha and feedstock propylene prices in Q3 2025.
• The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced industrial output.
• Industrial production increased 6.5% year-over-year in September 2025, offering indirect infrastructure support.
• Real estate investment weakened significantly in Q3 2025, impacting Polycarboxylate Ether construction demand.
• Unemployment rate at 5.2% in September 2025 signaled economic weakness, reducing consumer confidence.
• Elevated ethylene inventories constrained price gains in September 2025, despite regional cracker maintenance.
• Retail sales grew 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, providing moderate bullishness for demand.
Why did the price of Polycarboxylate Ether change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Weakened real estate investment and contracting Manufacturing Index suppressed Polycarboxylate Ether demand in Q3 2025.
• Deflationary pressures from a 0.3% CPI decrease in September 2025 reduced overall construction spending.
• Downward pressure on upstream naphtha and feedstock propylene prices eased Polycarboxylate Ether production expenses.
Europe
• In Germany, the Polycarboxylate Ether Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to reduced costs and contracting industrial activity.
• Polycarboxylate Ether production costs decreased, influenced by a 1.7% PPI decline in September 2025 from lower energy prices.
• Demand outlook for Polycarboxylate Ether weakened as German industrial production fell 1.0% in September 2025.
• The Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling reduced activity in key end-use sectors for Polycarboxylate Ether.
• European natural gas prices trended downward in Q3 2025, supported by abundant LNG supply and increased Norwegian gas flows.
• Declining construction industry activity in Q3 2025 negatively impacted Polycarboxylate Ether consumption in building materials.
• Retail sales rose slightly by 0.2% in September 2025, offering mild, indirect support to consumer-driven applications.
• Polycarboxylate Ether price forecast suggests continued stability or slight downward pressure due to prevailing market conditions.
Why did the price of Polycarboxylate Ether change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Lower energy prices, reflected in a 1.7% PPI decrease in September 2025, reduced Polycarboxylate Ether production costs.
• Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, and the Manufacturing Index contracted, weakening demand.
• Rising CPI at 2.4% in September 2025 and stable 6.3% unemployment rate dampened overall construction spending.
