For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the United States, the Silicone Softners Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by weak demand and inventory destocking.
• Production costs for Silicone Softners increased in Q3 2025, driven by rising methanol and natural gas prices.
• Demand for Silicone Softners weakened in Q3 2025, as new chemical orders fell and silicon metal demand was softer.
• The Silicone Softners price forecast remains pressured by global silicon metal oversupply and contracting US chemical production.
• US chemical manufacturers accelerated destocking of inventories in Q3 2025, reflecting cautious market sentiment.
• US exports of Silicone decreased in July 2025, while imports marginally increased, impacting domestic supply.
• Rising CPI (3.0% in September 2025) and PPI (2.6% in August 2025) increased raw material costs.
• Industrial production was nearly stagnant (0.1% in September 2025), while retail sales increased (5.42%).
• Unemployment was 4.3% in September 2025, supporting spending, but consumer confidence declined to 94.2.
Why did the price of Silicone Softners change in September 2025 in North America?
• Weak demand in major customer markets and falling new chemical orders in Q3 2025 contributed to price declines.
• Accelerating inventory destocking by manufacturers in Q3 2025 indicated reduced procurement and market caution.
• Global silicon metal oversupply and increased US Silicone imports pressured prices downward in July 2025.
APAC
• In China, the Silicone Softners Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by declining feedstock costs and market oversupply.
• Silicone Softners production costs decreased in Q3 2025, as silicon metal and methanol feedstock prices plummeted.
• Demand for Silicone Softners was mixed; robust automotive and personal care sectors partially offset broader manufacturing contraction.
• The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and lower demand for chemical inputs.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell by 0.3% in September 2025, indicating deflationary pressures and weaker consumer purchasing power.
• Producer Price Index (PPI) decreased by 2.3% in September 2025, reflecting weak demand and pressure on manufacturers to cut costs.
• Industrial production grew by 6.5% in September 2025, supporting demand for Silicone Softners in expanding manufacturing sectors.
• Retail sales increased by 3.0% in September 2025, indicating healthy consumer spending, particularly for personal care products.
Why did the price of Silicone Softners change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Silicon metal feedstock costs plummeted Q3 2025 due to oversupply, reducing production expenses.
• Methanol feedstock costs declined in China Q3 2025, influenced by rising local output and inventory.
• Contracting Manufacturing Index and negative PPI September 2025 signaled weak industrial demand.
Europe
• In Germany, the Silicone Softners Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter, driven by weak industrial demand and declining feedstock costs in Q3 2025.
• Silicone Softners production costs decreased in Q3 2025, influenced by a 1.7% PPI decline and lower silicon metal feedstock costs.
• The Silicone Softners demand outlook remained weak in Q3 2025, with industrial production down 1.0% and Manufacturing Index contracting.
• The Silicone Softners price forecast suggests continued downward pressure due to persistent weak demand and ample supply.
• The Silicone Softners Price Index reflected a downward trend, influenced by a 1.0% decline in industrial production in September 2025.
• Automotive registrations developed significantly better in Q3 2025, contrasting with stagnating textile demand and declining revenues.
• Rising silicon metal inventories in September 2025 and planned production cuts by chemical companies aimed to balance supply.
• Consumer inflation at 2.4% in September 2025, alongside stable unemployment at 6.3%, impacted purchasing power.
Why did the price of Silicone Softners change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Weak industrial demand, with production down 1.0% in September 2025, reduced overall consumption of Silicone Softners.
• Lower production costs, driven by a 1.7% PPI decline in September 2025 and reduced silicon metal feedstock costs.
• Increased imports and weakening chemical exports in Q3 2025 contributed to an oversupplied market for Silicone Softners.
