For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Precipitated Silica Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Precipitated Silica Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0%.
- Consumer Price Index grew 3.3% in March 2026, reflecting higher energy costs for Precipitated Silica production.
- Industrial production increased 0.7%, and the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting the Precipitated Silica Demand Outlook.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% in March 2026, sustaining Precipitated Silica consumption in consumer-facing end-uses like oral care.
- Unemployment reached 4.3,% and consumer confidence hit 91.8 in March 2026, maintaining consumer spending for Precipitated Silica applications.
- Automotive sector demand weakened as the United States new-vehicle sales contracted during Q1 2026, impacting tire applications.
- The Precipitated Silica Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 due to sustained raw material cost pressures.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in March 2026 in North America?
- Sulfuric acid feedstock costs surged significantly through March 2026 due to severe supply chain disruptions.
- The Producer Price Index rose 4.0% in March 2026, reflecting elevated raw material production costs.
- Domestic soda ash feedstock costs strengthened steadily in Q1 2026 as manufacturers optimized production levels.
Precipitated Silica Prices in APAC
- In China, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging production costs.
- The Precipitated Silica Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the producer price index rose 0.5%.
- The Precipitated Silica Demand Outlook strengthened during March 2026 because industrial production grew by 5.7% year-over-year.
- The manufacturing index expanded in March 2026, which elevated Precipitated Silica consumption in automotive tire applications.
- Retail sales grew 1.7%, and consumer inflation rose 1.0% in March 2026, limiting consumer-driven Precipitated Silica demand.
- Unemployment reached 5.4% in March 202,6 and consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, dampening discretionary purchases.
- Sulfuric acid and Asian liquefied natural gas feedstock costs spiked significantly throughout Q1 2026, inflating operational expenses.
- The Precipitated Silica Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 as passenger car tire export volumes expanded.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Precipitated Silica supply tightened in February 2026 following increased procurement activity from the automotive sector.
- Sulfur feedstock costs surged in March 2026, directly inflating expenses for the precipitation manufacturing process.
- Domestic sulfuric acid availability fluctuated in Q1 2026 as government export caps redirected local volumes.
Precipitated Silica Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging energy costs.
- The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% in March 2026, driving an upward Precipitated Silica Production Cost Trend.
- The Producer Price Index declined 0.2% in March 2026, easing upstream sulfuric acid costs for Precipitated Silica.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, strengthening the Precipitated Silica Demand Outlook for industrial rubber applications.
- Industrial production remained stagnant at 0.0% in February 2026, limiting heavy-industry demand for Precipitated Silica.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% in February 2026, supporting consumer-grade Precipitated Silica demand in oral care applications.
- Unemployment stayed at 4.2% in February 2026, but consumer confidence hit -24.7 in March 2026, impacting demand.
- The Precipitated Silica Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 as import logistics costs surged significantly.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in March 2026 in Europe?
- German natural gas exchange prices spiked in March 2026, elevating energy costs for Precipitated Silica drying.
- Import logistics costs from Asian suppliers surged in March 2026, tightening regional Precipitated Silica supply availability.
- German passenger vehicle production strengthened in Q1 2026, increasing domestic consumption of tire-grade Precipitated Silica.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Precipitated Silica Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose in Q4 2025, influenced by rising input costs and inflation.
- Precipitated Silica production costs rose in Q4 2025, driven by a 2.7% CPI and 3.0% PPI increase.
- Industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, supporting Precipitated Silica demand.
- Retail sales increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, boosting consumer-facing applications.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate in December 2025 supported consumer spending, indirectly boosting demand.
- Natural gas spot prices gradually rose in late 2025, increasing energy costs for Precipitated Silica producers.
- Automotive demand weakened as motor vehicle production contracted during October-November 2025.
- Caustic soda prices moved downward in Q4 2025, despite regional supply tightening in December.
- Consumer confidence registered 89.1 in December 2025, indicating moderate optimism for applications.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising input costs, including 2.7% CPI in December 2025, pressured Precipitated Silica prices.
- Natural gas spot prices rose in late 2025, increasing energy expenses for producers.
- Automotive demand weakened in October-November 2025, partially offsetting upward price pressure.
Precipitated Silica Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Precipitated Silica Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, due to weak industrial demand and producer deflation.
- Production costs for Precipitated Silica rose in Q4 2025 due to upward sodium carbonate and energy prices.
- The Precipitated Silica demand outlook weakened as Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025.
- Producer prices declined 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, impacting the Precipitated Silica Price Index.
- Industrial production increased 0.8% year-on-year in October 2025, offering modest support.
- General inflation, a 1.8% CPI increase in December 2025, raised overall operating expenses.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at -17.5 in December 2025, with a 6.2% unemployment rate.
- Increased competitive pressure from abroad and rising import pressures affected German chemical trade in October 2025.
- New passenger car registrations in Germany rose in December 2025, providing a positive automotive signal.
- Retail sales increased 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025, supporting consumer goods indirectly.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Weak industrial demand; Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025.
- Producer-level deflation; PPI declined 2.5% year-on-year in Germany in December 2025.
- Increased competitive pressure and rising import pressures affected German chemical trade in October 2025.
Precipitated Silica Prices in APAC
- In China, the Precipitated Silica Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by negative producer price inflation.
- Precipitated Silica production costs declined in Q4 2025 due to falling caustic soda and soda ash prices.
- Automotive demand maintained growth and surged in Q4 2025, supporting Precipitated Silica consumption.
- Industrial production increased by 5.2% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting demand for industrial applications.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, signaling increased factory activity.
- Ample caustic soda and soda ash inventories in Q4 2025 exerted downward pressure on Precipitated Silica prices.
- Weak retail sales growth of 0.9% in December 2025 indicated subdued consumer spending.
- The Producer Price Index fell by -1.9% year-over-year in December 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand.
- Consumer confidence at 90.30 points in November 2025 suggested a pessimistic outlook, dampening consumer-driven demand.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Producer Price Index fell -1.9% in December 2025, indicating weak industrial pricing power.
- Caustic soda and soda ash feedstock costs declined in Q4 2025, reducing production expenses.
- Ample feedstock inventories maintained downward price pressure in Q4 2025.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Precipitated Silica Prices in North America
- In United States, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increasing production costs.
- Precipitated Silica production costs increased due to a 3.0% year-over-year CPI rise in September 2025.
- Producer Price Index increased 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, indicating higher input costs.
- Industrial electricity costs strengthened in August 2025, pressuring Precipitated Silica production expenses upward.
- Precipitated Silica demand outlook was mixed, with slow industrial production growth of 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Robust retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supported Precipitated Silica demand in consumer sectors.
- A low unemployment rate of 4.3% in September 2025 sustained consumer purchasing power, aiding Precipitated Silica demand.
- Weakening consumer confidence, at 94.2 in September 2025, suggested potential slowdown in discretionary Precipitated Silica applications.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in September 2025 in North America?
- Precipitated Silica production costs rose due to a 3.0% CPI increase in September 2025, reflecting inflationary pressures.
- Industrial electricity costs strengthened in August 2025, directly increasing Precipitated Silica manufacturing expenses.
- A 2.6% PPI increase in August 2025 indicated higher input costs for Precipitated Silica producers.
Precipitated Silica Prices in APAC
- In China, the Precipitated Silica Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by declining producer prices and feedstock costs.
- Precipitated Silica production costs eased in Q3 2025 as caustic soda and sodium silicate feedstock prices declined.
- Demand for Precipitated Silica was supported by robust automotive sales and growing tire demand in Q3 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, indicating reduced industrial output and impacting raw material demand.
- Industrial production expanded by 6.5% in September 2025, bolstering Precipitated Silica demand across industrial applications.
- Retail sales increased by 3.0% in September 2025, indirectly boosting Precipitated Silica demand in consumer-facing products.
- Weakening consumer purchasing power, with CPI decreasing by 0.3% in September 2025, suggests continued price pressure.
- Domestic Precipitated Silica producers are expanding capacity in 2025, potentially influencing future supply and price stability.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Producer prices declined by 2.3% in September 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand and pricing power.
- Caustic soda and sodium silicate feedstock costs weakened in Q3 2025, reducing manufacturing input expenses.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and demand for materials.
Precipitated Silica Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Precipitated Silica Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by rising production costs.
- Production costs rose from surging European sodium silicate freight rates and high German electricity prices in Q3 2025.
- CPI rose 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, indicating increasing raw material and energy costs.
- German industrial production decreased 1.0% year-over-year in September 2025, dampening industrial demand.
- The Manufacturing Index indicated a contracting trend in Q3 2025, signaling reduced demand for industrial inputs.
- Retail sales in Germany rose 0.2% year-over-year in September 2025, offering mild support for consumer demand.
- Unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3% in September 2025, not boosting consumer purchasing power.
- European caustic soda operating rates were at all-time lows in July 2025, affecting a key raw material supply chain.
- Precipitated Silica price forecast indicates continued upward pressure from elevated input costs.
Why did the price of Precipitated Silica change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Production costs for Precipitated Silica were lifted by surging European sodium silicate freight rates in Q3 2025.
- German electricity prices increased significantly in July and averaged high in September 2025, raising manufacturing expenses.
- Contracting manufacturing activity and declining industrial production in Q3 2025 exerted downward pressure on demand.
