For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Silicone Oil Prices in North America
- In the USA, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 8.57% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting logistics pressure.
- The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was USD 2533.33/MT, based on CIF assessments.
- Silicone Oil Spot Price remained range-bound amid steady imports and balanced stocks, limiting upward pressure.
- Silicone Oil Price Forecast indicates gains into spring as demand recovers and freight pressures linger.
- Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend turned upward as methylene dichloride and shipping inflation increased conversion expenses.
- Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains steady with personal-care and electronics consumption, while automotive demand remains subdued.
- Silicone Oil Price Index movements showed exporters absorbing cost increases to defend volumes and market share.
- Inventory levels were adequate with three to four weeks coverage, containing immediate volatility despite logistic disruptions.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in March 2026 in North America?
- Rising eastbound freight increased landed costs, tightening arbitrage and pressuring imported offers to Gulf buyers.
- Feedstock methylene dichloride rallied, elevating conversion costs while exporters absorbed margin pressure to retain volumes.
- Domestic offtake remained steady across personal care and electronics, preventing price movement despite higher costs.
Silicone Oil Prices in APAC
- In South Korea, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 8.76% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher freight premiums.
- The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 2483.33/MT, and steady demand.
- Silicone Oil Spot Price reflected freight-driven cost increases, pushing CIF Busan parity higher amid producer output.
- Silicone Oil Price Forecast anticipates modest gains in summer driven by manufacturing ramp-ups and logistics pressure.
- Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend showed feedstock inflation but rising freight and war-risk premiums increased landed costs.
- Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains stable as electronics and automotive demand offset construction weakness and cosmetic softness.
- Silicone Oil Price Index movements were logistics-driven with K-REACH checks and shipping volatility tightening availability.
- Distributor stocks covered four weeks, limiting acute shortages despite longer transit times and importer stocking.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Rising Shanghai-Busan freight and war-risk premiums increased landed costs, passing through to South Korea markets.
- Stable feedstock silicon metal prices limited upstream inflation, but K-REACH inspection delays tightened prompt availability.
- Balanced downstream demand from electronics and automotive absorbed modest cost increases, preventing spot market weakness.
Silicone Oil Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 5.539% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger feedstock cost pass-through.
- The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 3556.67/MT, reflecting balanced supply and modest feedstock cost pass-through.
- German export tightness pushed the Silicone Oil Spot Price, lifting the regional Price Index despite stable inventories.
- Rising methylene dichloride and energy elevated the Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend, narrowing producer margins.
- Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains constructive for personal care and lubricants, while construction demand stays seasonally subdued.
- Silicone Oil Price Forecast suggests modest volatility ahead, influenced by feedstock shocks and export liftings.
- Producers ran at routine rates, supporting availability; the Silicone Oil Price Index tracked tighter spot dynamics.
- Hamburg inventories stayed near the lower seasonal range, and rail disruptions amplified export tightness and buyer urgency.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Surging methylene dichloride costs markedly raised conversion expenses, tightening supply margins for regional producers in March.
- Intermittent rail strikes and lean Hamburg inventories constrained available volumes, intensifying spot market upward pressure.
- Stronger export enquiries and recovering automotive and sealant demand absorbed output, limiting price relief despite steady production.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 2.87% quarter-over-quarter, driven by import offers.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 2333.33/MT, reflecting moderated demand.
• Lower ocean freight and steady imports pressured the Silicone Oil Spot Price, weakening Price Index.
• Feedstock dynamics produced mixed input costs, with the Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend broadly neutral.
• End-use sectors showed resilience, supporting the Silicone Oil Demand Outlook despite softer industrial procurement.
• Participants referenced cautious Silicone Oil Price Forecast anticipating modest upside from restocking and constrained allocations.
• Terminal inventories and Gulf logistics influenced short-term availability, intermittently lifting the Silicone Oil Price Index.
• Buyers exercised cautious procurement, delaying orders while domestic plants maintained steady runs, preserving market balance.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in December 2025 in North America?
• Importers faced reduced spot allocations as Asian sellers trimmed exports, tightening specialty grade availability regionally.
• Downstream personal care and automotive formulators increased purchases, drawing down thin terminal stocks, supporting offers.
• Domestic plants ran steadily while logistics and allocation shifts produced the December price pressure.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 2.39% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting supply squeeze.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 2283.33/MT on CFR Busan.
• Silicone Oil Spot Price strengthened as tight imports and higher freight pushed the Price Index.
• Silicone Oil Price Forecast implies upside near-term as Chinese outages and port maintenance tighten supplies.
• Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend edged higher owing to firmer silicon-metal offers and elevated energy.
• Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains firm from electronics, automotive fluids, and personal-care year-end restocking activity.
• High pre-holiday inventories tempered upside, but export demand and selective procurements kept Price Index supported.
• Domestic units ran steady, while Zhejiang turnarounds and Chinese power caps constrained Silicone Oil availability.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Chinese power rationing reduced silicon-metal output, lowering exportable silicone oil volumes and tightening regional supply.
• December Zhejiang maintenance outages further cut shipments, pressuring prompt parcels despite stable Korean port operations.
• Elevated freight and restocking by electronics and automotive segments increased landed costs, supporting higher offers.
Europe
• In Germany, the Silicone Oil Price Index fell by 1.65% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued industrial demand.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 3370.00/MT, reflecting export dynamics.
• Export-led tightness firmed the Silicone Oil Spot Price as liftings to France and Italy notably increased.
• Silicone Oil Price Forecast points to modest near-term upside supported by restocking and firmer silicon-metal offers.
• Elevated electricity tariffs offset cheaper feedstock, keeping the Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend pressure on margins.
• Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains cautious; construction and automotive procurement subdued while inventories stayed elevated.
• Inventories at Hamburg were balanced-to-low after heavy liftings, influencing the Silicone Oil Price Index slightly upward.
• Producers maintained output and export availability; selective procurements and logistics shaped short-term market liquidity conditions.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Weakened Eurozone demand and cautious procurement reduced spot buying, pressuring December Silicone Oil prices downward.
• High energy tariffs raised production costs, limiting producers' appetite to discount despite softer feedstock markets.
• Year-end restocking in personal-care and thermal-management segments tightened export availability, supporting modest upward price movement.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Silicone Oil Price Index fell by 0.07% quarter-over-quarter, amid logistics pressure.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 2268.33/MT across reported grades.
• Silicone Oil Spot Price softened as freight eased and increased Asian imports pressured markets domestically.
• Silicone Oil Price Forecast expects modest fluctuations ahead driven by seasonal demand and logistics volatility.
• Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend increased after silicon metal gains, tightening margins, elevating landed costs.
• Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains supported by EV, electronics, and personal care sectors sustaining consumption.
• Silicone Oil Price Index volatility reflected transient freight spikes, seasonal buying, and producer operating adjustments.
• Elevated imports increased inventories in August, pressuring price momentum despite production discipline from major producers.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in September 2025 in North America?
• Supply remained adequate with rising imports and steady domestic output, creating oversupply pressure in September.
• Silicon metal recovery and freight spikes increased production and landed costs, elevating marginal pricing pressures.
• Downstream buying softened as inventories were ample, with buyers anticipating further price stability and declines.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 1.98% quarter-over-quarter, driven by feedstock inflation.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 2230.00/MT to domestic buyers.
• Silicone Oil Spot Price rose after silicon metal spikes and freight increases pushed landed costs.
• Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend rose as silicon metal inflation increased import expenses for producers.
• Silicone Oil Price Forecast anticipates modest easing, tempered by selective restocking and ongoing feedstock volatility.
• Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remains firm, supported by EVs, electronics encapsulation, and expanding cosmetics formulations.
• Inventory builds and increased Chinese shipments pressured the Silicone Oil Price Index, curbing distributor buying.
• Producers curtailed output to protect margins while balancing export demand and managing near-term regional inventories.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Silicon metal spikes raised import costs, increasing production expenses and pushing domestic silicone oil prices.
• Elevated intra-Asia freight and port disruptions increased landed costs and created timing uncertainty for imports.
• Downstream buyers adjusted purchases amid ample imports, with automotive and electronics demand remaining selective short-term.
Europe
• In Germany, the Silicone Oil Price Index rose by 1.28% quarter-over-quarter, supported by resilient demand.
• The average Silicone Oil price for the quarter was USD 3426.67/MT, reflecting input cost pressures.
• Supply tightness and logistical bottlenecks kept the Silicone Oil Spot Price elevated despite import competition.
• Silicon metal and energy cost increases drove the Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend, squeezing margins.
• Export demand and industrial resilience underpin the Silicone Oil Demand Outlook, supporting offtake across sectors.
• Inventory accumulation in August weighed on the Silicone Oil Price Index, prompting cautious restocking activity.
• Near-term Silicone Oil Price Forecast shows modest fluctuations driven by seasonal demand and logistical uncertainty.
• Producer output discipline limited volumes, balancing tightness while mitigating downward moves in the Silicone Oil Price Index.
Why did the price of Silicone Oil change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Rising silicon metal and energy inputs increased production costs, exerting upward pressure on silicone pricing.
• Stronger industrial and EV-related demand supported offtake, offsetting some downward pressure from lower crude prices.
• Port congestion, rail delays, and import competition created supply variability, influencing short-term pricing and procurement decisions.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Q2 2025 average Silicone Oil Price Index was USD 2300/MT, CFR Houston in June, a 5% rise above Q1 2025 because of inflation in cost, strong downstream demand, and volatility in freight.
• Silicone Oil Price generally moved upwards during the quarter driven by increased silicon metal prices (+7–9%), strong global supply tightness, and increased shipping costs which pushed domestic offers.
• Why will the price fall in July 2025?
The Silicone Oil Price Forecast indicates a possible fall because of weakening freight charges, steady input prices, and resistance to increases from the buyers.
• Silicone Oil Demand Outlook stayed strong across EV, electronics, and personal care industries, with silicone’s functional versatility sustaining offtake growth.
• Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend rose in June amid raw material inflation (silicon metal, siloxanes) and temporary freight surges crossing USD 6,000/FEU to US West Coast.
• Imports remained constrained due to tariffs on Chinese materials, shifting procurement toward costlier South Korean/EU sources.
• Producers like Dow and Momentive managed output cautiously to avoid oversupply, tightening inventories and supporting prices.
• Despite steady demand, inventory planning and cost pass-through limits could prompt price correction in early Q3 2025.
APAC
• The Silicone Oil Price Index in China averaged USD 2165/MT , FOB Shanghai, showing a 5% incline from Q1 2025, supported by resilient demand, firm input costs, and restricted output throughout Q2.
• Silicone Oil Price rose steadily during April–June due to strong consumption from electronics, NEVs, and personal care sectors, coupled with cautious domestic production and tight global availability.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Silicone Oil Price Forecast for July 2025 suggests a decline, driven by cooling post-harvest demand, easing silicon metal prices, stabilized production, and slower export bookings.
• The Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend rose late in Q2 due to a sharp rebound in silicon metal and elevated energy/logistics costs, though remained relatively stable earlier in the quarter.
• The Silicone Oil Demand Outlook in Q2 stayed firm, underpinned by approx. 30% y-o-y NEV sales in June, robust personal care trends, and stable electronics and industrial applications.
• Export demand peaked in April as global buyers scrambled amid EU shortfalls, adding pressure to China’s tight inventories and raising freight timelines from ports like Ningbo and Shanghai.
• Supply remained tight due to environmental controls, limited new capacity (<500,000 tons/year), and strategic inventory management by key producers, keeping oversupply risks in check.
• The Silicone Oil Price Index closed Q2 2025 on a strong note, maintaining an upward trajectory as rising cost structures, steady demand, and restricted supply reinforced market strength.
Europe
• The Silicone Oil Price Index in Germany averaged USD 3420/MT, FOB Hamburg, marking a 3.5% increase from Q1 2025, supported by strong downstream demand, elevated input costs, and restricted supply flow across the quarter.
• Silicone Oil Price rose steadily throughout Q2 as robust consumption from automotive, electronics, and personal care sectors coincided with logistical disruptions, tightening domestic inventories.
• Silicone Oil Price Forecast for July 2025 points to a further increase, driven by ongoing port congestion, resilient EV and healthcare demand, and high energy and raw material costs sustaining upstream price pressure.
• The Silicone Oil Production Cost Trend escalated in Q2, led by rising silicon metal imports, euro volatility, and persistent energy price inflation, while regional input shortages and labor costs added further pressure.
• The Silicone Oil Demand Outlook remained firm across Q2, with steady procurement from Germany’s EV sector, medical applications, and premium personal care formulations offsetting macroeconomic softness.
• Import dependence grew due to domestic production constraints, while port congestion at Hamburg and Bremerhaven and reduced inland transport efficiency delayed restocking and stretched delivery cycles.
• Export allocations were deprioritized due to tight local availability, pushing German producers to manage output and inventory closely to meet critical domestic demand segments.
• The Silicone Oil Price Index closed Q2 2025 on a firm upward trajectory, reflecting a structurally tight supply chain, resilient industrial consumption, and cost-driven pricing environment across European markets.
