For the Quarter Ending September 2023
North America
The pricing dynamics of Sodium Chlorate exhibited a rise in the initial half of the third quarter, followed by a subsequent decline in the latter half. The September downturn in prices can be contextualized within the global pulp and paper market, where prices are generally on an upward trajectory. However, North America stands out with a contrasting scenario, experiencing downward pressure on prices. This unique trend is attributed to a noticeable deceleration in demand, a significant observation given the traditionally robust growth expected in the third quarter for the pulp and paper industry. Market analysts attribute this divergence in North America to an accumulation of inventories throughout the supply chain. Manufacturers are strategically working to reduce inventory levels, viewing it not only as a logistical decision but as part of a broader strategy to influence pricing dynamics. The deliberate effort to restrict inventory levels aims to create a supply-demand imbalance that could potentially drive prices upward. The overarching objective is to cultivate a positive market sentiment, even in the face of subdued demand, thereby navigating the industry through a phase of slower growth. Market participants have observed a bearish trend in both export and domestic consumption volumes, primarily fuelled by an overall decrease in consumption.
Asia-Pacific
In the Chinese market, Sodium Chlorate prices have witnessed a consistent decline, influenced by several key factors as observed by market participants. Firstly, a marginal reduction in the cost of the feedstock, sodium hydroxide, exerted downward pressure on prices. Secondly, the stability in energy prices had a more substantial impact on the overall cost dynamics. Challenges in the supply of feedstock to the downstream paper industry led to heightened costs across the entire value chain. Despite these pricing trends, demand from the pulp and paper sector in China remained subdued and sluggish. The presence of abundant inventories in the Chinese market played a pivotal role in contributing to an overall decrease in the growth of the raffinate market. Additionally, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) value for the Chinese market, reported at 50.60 in September, offers valuable insights into the economic landscape. On the supply side, sodium chlorate inventories in China remained relatively high, but production operated at lower rates, highlighting the resilience of the supply chain.
Europe
In the European market, Sodium Chlorate prices have demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory throughout the third quarter. This trend can be attributed to a combination of factors, including depleted market inventories, increased import costs, and a growing demand from downstream sectors, particularly the pulp and paper industry. A noteworthy point is the reduction in Germany's inflation rate from 6.1% in August to 4.5% in September, fostering positive market sentiment and bolstering consumer purchasing power in related industries. Despite the positive economic indicators, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) value for the European market remained below 50 throughout the quarter, signaling a contraction in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the scarcity of sodium chlorate supplies compelled sellers to offer their stocks at premium prices, reflecting the dynamics of market supply and demand. This combination of factors contributed to the observed price hike in the sodium chlorate market. Additionally, the increase in natural gas prices throughout Q3 suggests an expansion in the manufacturing sector.
For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
The prices of Sodium chlorate continued to follow the bullish trend in the American market in the Q2 of 2023 while declining partially during May month on the back of declining cost support and stagnancy in demand pressure coming from the downstream detergent and paper industries. The prices inclined in the first month of the quarter, i.e., April, under the influence of overwhelming market performance showcased by the detergent sector. Because of this, there was ultimately surging demand in the market for Sodium Chlorate, which resulted in a sharp hike in price throughout April 2023. However, the prices declined in May month owing to decreased consumption in the detergent and paper industry consistently for several weeks, which drove down the Sodium Chlorate prices, which was further accompanied by the reduced freight charges. Further, the prices again took on the uptrend in June month, and demand from the end-use industries improved coming towards the end of Q2. On top of that, the supply cuts imposed by OPEC+, which started in May and will extend to the end of the year, influenced the crude oil prices, eventually surging the upstream cost of Sodium chlorate. Furthermore, easing inflation rates in June further drove up the prices of Sodium chlorate in the American market.
APAC
In the Asia Pacific region, the price trend of Sodium chlorate remained overall stable in the entire Q2 of 2023, only declining marginally in the second month, i.e., May of the Q2. At the beginning of Q2, the Sodium Chlorate prices rose in the Chinese market during April in the presence of robust downstream demand coming from the detergent and paper industries as they were doing well in the market, resulting in the increased procurement for Sodium Chlorate during the month. In the month of June, the prices observed an overall decline of -6% on the back of stable to weak procurement activities and weak cost of production from the feedstock Sodium hydroxide. Further, the prices of Sodium chlorate were controlled by the limited change in demand pressure, which was noted on the low to moderate side. Furthermore, the price decline of Sodium chlorate is justified by the alteration in the energy market, where specifically, the coal market reached normalcy after the 2022 upheaval and eventually eased the cost support for production.
Europe
The prices of sodium chlorate showed a strict incline throughout the entire Q2 of 2023 on the back of good demand from downstream, specifically from the water treatment industry. In April, the market of Sodium chlorate gained momentum in Germany under the influence of growth in demand from the downstream detergent and paper industry. As the downstream detergent and paper industries showcased strong market momentum throughout the month, the demand for Sodium Chlorate grew, ultimately raising the material's market value. The supply was noted on the moderate side, as the industry players noted there was no major port delay, and both the stockpile size and the supply rate were sufficient. Further, the feedstock Sodium Hydroxide prices have increased, resulting in firm cost support. Meanwhile, the energy market, specifically the LNG market, has further put additional pressure on the cost support for production. In July as well the prices followed the persistent rise under the influence of increased demand from downstream value chains, majorly from the water treatment industry and the firm prices observed from the feedstock Sodium hydroxide in the month. Further, in the coming quarter as well the prices of Sodium chlorate ought to follow a similar trend owing to the crude-based supply disruptions noted in Libya and Nigeria. However, the effect is expected to be temporary, but it will certainly put the prices on the uptrend in the first 2-3 weeks of Q3, as Sodium chlorate is upstream of crude oil.
Sodium Chlorate showcased optimistic market momentum in the North American market during the first quarter of 2023. The industrial production and sales of detergent and paper industries improved during the quarter, which boosted demand for Sodium Chlorate in the market, and a rapid spike in pricing trend was seen. Additionally, the level of inventories was lesser than what was required to cater to the available demand along with a lagging supply rate, which caused the instability in the demand-supply ratio, hence surging the value of Sodium Chlorate. Consequently, the assessed price of Sodium Chlorate in the USA was USD 940/MT FOB Texas during March, which was 13.3% higher than in December.
The price of Sodium Chlorate showcased mixed sentiments in the Asia-Pacific region during the quarter of 1st of 2023, backed by fluctuating demand and supply dynamics. Initially, the Sodium Chlorate prices rose consistently till February, which was followed by a drastic price fall. As the downstream detergent and paper industries were doing well in the market, the consumption of Sodium Chlorate surged. However, as the quarter approached the end, the inquiry for Sodium Chlorate decreased, but the supply rate was high, which caused the inventories to overflow, and hence a notable price drop was observed. Hence, In China, the assessed price of Sodium Chlorate was USD 760/MT FOB Qingdao in March.
During the first quarter of 2023, sodium chlorate showed encouraging market momentum in the European market. The quarter saw an improvement in the industrial production and sales of the paper and detergent industries, which increased market demand for sodium chlorate and resulted in a sharp rise in price. Additionally, the level of stockpiles was lower than what was necessary to meet the demand, and the supply rate lagged, which led to an unstable demand-supply ratio and an increase in the price of sodium chlorate. Thus, the assessed price of sodium chlorate in Germany in March was USD 890/MT FD Hamburg, which was 13.4% more expensive than in December.
