For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the U.S., the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index remained flat through most of Q3 2025, reflecting subdued procurement activity and elevated inventory levels in downstream sectors.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Spot Price movements were range-bound, with limited volatility due to balanced supply-demand dynamics and predictable logistics.
• The Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Forecast for Q4 2025 signals continued stability, with potential upside if seasonal demand from personal care, hygiene and industrial cleaning sectors improves.
• The Sodium Hexametaphosphate Production Cost Trend remained steady, as feedstock prices for soda ash and phosphoric acid showed minimal fluctuation. Energy and freight costs were also stable across U.S. production hubs.
• The Sodium Hexametaphosphate Demand Outlook remains cautious, with baseline consumption in water treatment, food processing, detergents, ceramics, and metal surface treatment. Buyers are maintaining lean inventories amid economic uncertainty.
• The Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index reflects restrained restocking behavior and steady domestic production, keeping prices within a narrow band across Q3.
• Inventory levels across major distributors in the U.S. and Canada remained elevated, limiting bulk-buying activity and supporting disciplined pricing.
• Regulatory compliance in food-grade and water treatment applications continues to support demand for high-purity SHMP grades, though substitution trends in industrial cleaning are moderating growth.
Why did the price of Sodium Hexametaphosphate change in September 2025 in North America?
• Elevated inventories in food and water treatment sectors reduced procurement urgency, leading to a modest decline in the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index.
• Demand remained soft as industrial buyers delayed restocking amid economic caution and stable supply flows.
• Feedstock costs for soda ash and phosphoric acid remained stable, but freight rate normalization slightly eased landed costs, contributing to the September price dip.
APAC
• In China, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index fell by 0.8% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand conditions.
• The average Sodium Hexametaphosphate price for the quarter was approximately USD 1048.33/MT, supporting seller flexibility.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Spot Price remained subdued as exporters offered flexible FOB Qingdao terms stimulate buying.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Forecast anticipates modest swings driven by seasonal restocking and intermittent export recoveries.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Production Cost Trend eased as phosphoric acid softened, improving margins for domestic manufacturers.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Demand Outlook stays cautious with detergent and water treatment sectors avoiding aggressive restocking.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index signalled balanced inventories and subdued export orders, constraining upward price momentum.
• Producers kept steady operating rates while freight imbalances and conservative procurement limited transactional volume growth.
Why did the price of Sodium Hexametaphosphate change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Supply was balanced with stable production and inventories, reducing urgency for sellers to push prices higher.
• Weaker phosphoric acid lowered production costs, applying downward pressure on offers despite limited logistical tightening.
• Muted export demand and freight imbalances left exporters cautious, keeping FOB levels flexible and transactional volumes subdued.
Europe
• In the Netherlands, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index fell by 0.6% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting logistics-driven landed cost pressures.
• The average Sodium Hexametaphosphate price for the quarter was approximately USD 1168.67/MT, reflecting elevated freight costs.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Spot Price remained supported by elevated Asia-Europe freight and Rotterdam handling delays, limiting price declines.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Production Cost Trend stayed muted as softer phosphoric acid feedstock offset increased logistics and handling expenses.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Demand Outlook remains stable with steady detergent, water treatment, and industrial cleaning consumption throughout the quarter.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Forecast anticipates modest firming into autumn driven by seasonal restocking and pre-Golden Week freight pressures.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index displayed limited volatility due to balanced supply from China and cautious buyer procurement strategies.
Why did the price of Sodium Hexametaphosphate change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Surging Asia-Europe freight rates and Rotterdam congestion increased landed import costs, directly pressuring CFR offers.
• Softer phosphoric acid feedstock kept upstream production costs subdued, partially offsetting logistics-driven price increases modestly.
• Stable demand from detergents and water treatment with cautious procurement limited upside despite supply constraints.
MEA
• In the United Arab Emirates, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index fell by 0.59% quarter-over-quarter, logistics.
• The average Sodium Hexametaphosphate price for the quarter was approximately USD 1126.67/MT, CFR Jebel Ali.
• Elevated container rates and transit delays tightened supply, keeping the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Spot Price supported.
• Chinese feedstock weakness but higher logistics drove the Sodium Hexametaphosphate Production Cost Trend upward slightly.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate Demand Outlook remains firm for desalination, cooling and detergent sectors during peak usage.
• The Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Index showed modest volatility as importers secured forward cargoes at premiums.
• Near-term Sodium Hexametaphosphate Price Forecast points to modest gains, driven by freight seasonality and procurement.
• Distributors report replenished inventories after restocking, moderating spot activity while the Price Index adjusts gradually.
Why did the price of Sodium Hexametaphosphate change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Container rate increases, and scarce equipment raised landed costs, tightening availability and prompting forward bookings.
• Peak desalination and cooling demand increased municipal and industrial offtake, reducing spot flexibility and inventories.
• Slower customs clearance and port congestion extended transit times, incentivizing importers to secure cargoes earlier.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The SHMP Price Index in the U.S. remained largely stable quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as steady supply flows balanced muted demand recovery across key end-use sectors.
• Domestic supply chains operated smoothly, with no significant disruptions reported from production or logistics. Imports from Asia continued at a consistent pace, though marginal fluctuations in shipping rates occasionally impacted landed costs.
• Demand fundamentals were modest, with procurement activity in detergents, food processing, and water treatment sectors limited to baseline needs. High inventory levels in downstream industries dampened restocking momentum, keeping overall offtake subdued.
• Buyers maintained a cautious procurement approach, managing existing stockpiles carefully amid macroeconomic uncertainties, tight credit conditions, and slow-moving industrial orders.
• Consequently, Q2 2025 for SHMP in the U.S. was characterized by a balanced market scenario, where stable supply met tepid demand, preventing any significant upward or downward price swings.
Why did the price of SHMP change in July 2025 in North America?
• In July 2025, SHMP prices in the U.S. remained flat compared to June, as supply and demand fundamentals continued to align closely without major shifts in market dynamics.
• On the supply side, domestic production and import availability stayed sufficient to meet contractual obligations, with no acute disruptions observed in shipping or logistics operations.
• Downstream demand, especially from detergents and water treatment sectors, was steady but lacked strong offtake triggers, as buyers remained conservative in placing new orders amid ample inventory cover.
• The absence of significant cost-side pressures from raw materials or freight ensured that SHMP prices-maintained stability, with the market expected to stay in a wait-and-see mode pending any major demand-side recovery.
Europe
• The SHMP Price Index in Europe declined by 2.7% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, driven by sustained weakness in downstream demand and elevated logistical disruptions that capped trade liquidity.
• Although early Q2 witnessed minor price increases due to seasonal restocking and stable imports from Asia, persistent macroeconomic uncertainty and margin pressures in detergent and industrial cleaning sectors curtailed broad-based procurement.
• Supply dynamics remained stable from key exporters like China, yet soaring freight rates and chronic congestion at European ports, particularly Rotterdam, inflated landed costs, limiting transactional volumes, and deterring aggressive spot purchases.
• Demand fundamentals across Europe’s key SHMP-consuming sectors, including water treatment and detergents and soaps, stayed soft, as buyers restricted offtake amid elevated operational costs and tepid sales growth.
• In essence, Q2 price movements in Europe were dominated by cost-driven fluctuations, with supply-side resilience overshadowed by restrained downstream activity and persistent logistical inefficiencies that kept market fundamentals subdued.
Why did the price of SHMP change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In July 2025, SHMP prices in Europe declined from June, as summer holidays slowed industrial activity and demand across cleaning and water treatment sectors.
• The downtrend was reinforced by persistent logistical disruptions—port congestion and inland freight bottlenecks—which, instead of lifting prices, curtailed transaction volumes and eroded market liquidity.
• Buyers adopted a conservative procurement strategy, limiting purchases to essential quantities amid uncertain cost trajectories and no clear demand surge in core applications.
• Overall, the July price decline reflected a structurally soft market, where demand constraints and logistical challenges combined to weaken pricing despite upstream supply stability.
APAC
• The SHMP Price Index in APAC increased by 0.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as steady consumer-driven demand and firm upstream costs supported a gradual market uptrend, despite mid-quarter demand softness.
• Supply conditions remained stable, with manufacturers maintaining consistent output and managing inventory levels prudently. However, firm phosphoric acid prices and slightly tighter availability in early Q2 added mild cost-side pressure.
• Demand from FMCG sectors such as detergents and cleaning products provided stable baseline offtake, while export interest from regional markets like Southeast Asia stayed cautious due to freight volatility and high inventory carryovers.
• By June-end, subdued restocking interest and lacklustre global construction and ceramics demand limited upward momentum, with the market settling into a balanced, rangebound pricing trend.
• In conclusion, Q2 2025 for SHMP in APAC was characterized by a marginally firming market, underpinned by raw material costs and stable end-use consumption, while overall demand recovery remained slow and uneven.
Why did the price of SHMP change in July 2025 in APAC?
• In July 2025, SHMP prices in APAC softened compared to June, as downstream procurement slowed while supply levels remained ample across key production hubs.
• The decline was driven by weak seasonal demand from detergents and industrial water treatment sectors, as buyers continued to draw down existing inventories rather than place new orders.
• Moving forward, SHMP prices in APAC are expected to face continued downward pressure in August unless a significant uptick in export demand materializes or feedstock costs provide renewed cost-push momentum.
Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• The SHMP Price Index in MEA inclined by 1.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, driven by logistics-induced cost pressures and seasonal consumption increases, particularly in water treatment and cleaning sectors.
• Supply-side challenges intensified through Q2, as Chinese exports to the UAE faced rising container rates, equipment shortages, and slower customs clearance, inflating landed costs and tightening prompt availability despite stable upstream production.
• Demand fundamentals improved across key sectors, with peak summer requirements boosting SHMP offtake for desalination, cooling systems, and hygiene applications, encouraging forward procurement by local buyers.
• Importers responded to freight volatility and supply chain bottlenecks by securing advance cargoes, adding to the upward pricing pressure even as upstream phosphoric acid prices remained subdued.
• Overall, the MEA SHMP market in Q2 was shaped by a combination of firm seasonal demand and logistics-driven cost inflation, resulting in a measured upward trajectory for prices despite no raw material shortages.
Why did the price of SHMP change in July 2025 in MEA?
• In July 2025, SHMP prices in MEA remained firm compared to June, supported by sustained high freight costs and persistent logistical delays impacting import flows from Asia.
• Demand continued to hold steady, as peak summer consumption in water treatment and cleaning sectors maintained robust offtake, particularly from municipal and industrial users.
• Local buyers exhibited cautious restocking behaviour, securing essential volumes to navigate ongoing freight uncertainties without overcommitting to high-cost inventory.
• With supply-side constraints persisting and downstream demand showing seasonal strength, SHMP prices in MEA are expected to maintain a stable-to-firm stance in the near term.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, SHMP prices in the U.S. recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline compared to Q4 2024. Early in the quarter, prices softened as feedstock phosphoric acid costs fell, trimming production expenses. Downstream demand from detergents and cleaning-agent manufacturers remained muted after the holiday surge, while seasonal cool weather dampened household and industrial cleaning activity. Abundant inventories prevented any sharp price rebound despite the softer offtake.
Mid-quarter, phosphoric acid costs edged higher, tightening feedstock margins, and underpinning a modest SHMP price uptick. At the same time, detergent producers began restocking in anticipation of spring-cleaning campaigns and potential tariff-driven cost increases, lending support to SHMP offtake. Export volumes into Latin America and Asia remained steady, helping balance domestic supply.
By quarter-end, feedstock phosphoric acid prices declined again, easing SHMP production costs once more. However, downstream buyers reverted to cautious procurement, preferring to work down existing stocks rather than place large orders amid ongoing trade-policy uncertainties. The overall market sentiment remained cautious, influenced by broader economic uncertainties, and subdued industrial activity, leading to a continued decline in SHMP prices for the quarter.
APAC
In Q1 2025, Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) prices in the APAC region recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline of 3.5% compared to Q4 2024. At the start of the quarter, prices decreased as the market faced seasonal headwinds, including reduced manufacturing activity ahead of the Lunar New Year and muted demand from key downstream sectors like detergents and surfactants. The Manufacturing contraction reflected weaker industrial output, while cautious buyer sentiment and high inventory levels further pressured prices. Despite stable production and efficient supply chain management, the bearish demand outlook dominated market dynamics. Mid-quarter, SHMP prices rebounded as post-holiday recovery took hold. Manufacturing activity expanded and downstream sectors, particularly detergents, entered their spring production cycle, driving renewed demand. Improved logistics and raw material availability supported steady supply, while retail sales growth bolstered market optimism. This recovery, however, was tempered by lingering inflation concerns and cautious inventory rebuilding. By quarter-end, prices stabilized as supply-demand balance was achieved. Feedstock phosphoric acid costs rose slightly but had minimal impact due to sufficient material availability. Demand remained restrained as buyers relied on existing inventories, though improved consumer sales provided underlying support. China registered the most significant decline, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 1058/MT FOB Qingdao.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) prices in Europe recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline of 6.6% compared to Q4 2024. At the start of the quarter, prices decreased as weak industrial activity and cautious procurement strategies weighed on demand. Despite stable imports from Asia, contracting manufacturing output and subdued consumption in key downstream sectors like detergents kept market sentiment bearish. Mid-quarter, prices saw a marginal increase as inflationary pressures raised import costs, while post-Chinese New Year supply chains stabilized. Improved domestic orders and slightly better demand in the surfactant sector provided temporary relief. However, persistent logistical delays and weak export sales limited upside potential. The market remained balanced, with buyers avoiding excessive stockpiling amid ongoing economic headwinds. By quarter-end, prices declined again as demand failed to sustain momentum. Despite entering the peak season for cleaning products, procurement stayed sluggish, with manufacturers adopting a wait-and-see approach for Q2. The quarterly decline was ultimately driven by persistently weak demand outweighing temporary mid-quarter improvements, compounded by stable supply conditions. Netherlands registered the most significant decline, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 1170/MT CFR Rotterdam.
MEA
In Q1 2025, Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) prices in the MEA region recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline of 3.3% compared to Q4 2024. At the start of the quarter, prices fell as the market grappled with oversupply and muted demand from key downstream sectors, including detergents and industrial applications. Consistent imports from China, with declining global freight rates, ensured steady product availability. Despite some pre-Lunar New Year stockpiling, regional demand remained tepid amid seasonal slowdowns and cautious procurement, leading to inventory build-up and bearish market sentiment. As the quarter progressed, SHMP prices rebounded slightly due to stable supply conditions and improved demand. Downstream consumption picked up as spring production cycles began, particularly within the surfactant and detergent sectors. This seasonal demand recovery, alongside steady restocking, prompted moderate price increases and supported market balance. By the end of the quarter, prices softened again as downstream sectors reduced procurement, preferring to deplete existing inventories. Steady import flows and low freight costs maintained supply-side strength, while conservative buying behaviour and limited new orders weighed on pricing momentum. The overall Q1 price decline was primarily driven by persistent oversupply and uneven recovery in end-user demand. UAE registered the most significant decline, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 1121/MT CFR Jebel Ali.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in Q4 2024 witnessed a declining price trend compared to Q3. This decrease was primarily driven by weak demand from key downstream sectors, including detergents, water treatment, and industrial applications, which experienced reduced activity due to seasonal slowdowns and colder weather conditions.
Supply remained stable, supported by adequate production levels, despite logistical challenges like port congestion and labor strikes in Canada, which added complexities to the supply chain. Freight rates rose slightly in some regions, exerting mild pressure, but they did not significantly disrupt product availability.
Global demand, particularly from Europe and Asia, remained sluggish, contributing to an oversupply scenario and further downward pressure on prices. The subdued trade activity and slower industrial growth created a challenging environment for SHMP producers, with prices continuing to decline throughout the quarter. By the end of Q4, the market reflected a cautious outlook, constrained by weak domestic consumption and persistent external economic uncertainties.
APAC
Throughout Q4 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in Asia experienced a sustained price decline, primarily driven by weakened demand from key sectors like detergents and cleaning products, leading to oversupply. Despite slight increases in phosphoric acid prices, ample SHMP inventories and reduced consumption maintained downward pressure on prices. The market sentiment remained cautious with low optimism for a near-term recovery, as demand stayed weak both domestically and in broader Asian markets. Seasonal trends, including year-end holidays and festivities, further dampened manufacturing activity and demand. Although feedstock costs stabilized, manufacturers adjusted production strategies to align with the anticipated seasonal slowdown, aiming to balance supply amid ongoing demand softness. Preparations for the upcoming Spring Festival in January 2025 provided a cautiously positive outlook, with restocking activities expected to lend modest support to SHMP demand, fostering temporary price stabilization. China recorded a significant price drop of 6% compared to the previous quarter, with the quarter-ending price at USD 1069/MT FOB Qingdao in December 2024. However, the overall recovery remained uncertain amid ongoing market and economic challenges.
Europe
The European Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market experienced a consistent decline in Q4 2024, with prices decreasing by 9% compared to the previous quarter. Weak demand from key downstream sectors, particularly detergents and cleaning agents, drove the downturn. Seasonal factors, including the typical year-end slowdown and colder weather, further dampened consumption, while geopolitical uncertainties and economic pressures compounded market challenges. Despite sufficient domestic inventories and stable production, sluggish demand and reduced industrial activity weighed heavily on prices. The ample availability of phosphoric acid, a critical SHMP feedstock, along with lower import costs, exerted additional pressure on market values. Efficient port operations and lower freight rates helped mitigate supply chain disruptions, ensuring stable product availability throughout the region. Prices showed a steady downward trend during Q4, with a 3.5% drop in October, a 1.7% decline in November, and a further 3.2% decrease in December. By the end of December 2024, SHMP CFR Rotterdam stood at USD 1259/MT. Market participants faced challenges from muted global demand, geopolitical instability, and weak industrial output, leaving little room for recovery in the near term.
MEA
In Q4 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) experienced a 6% decline in prices compared to the previous quarter, driven by weak demand from key downstream sectors such as detergents and cleaning agents. Seasonal slowdowns in manufacturing activities, coupled with subdued procurement during the holiday season, further weighed on consumption levels. Additionally, lower phosphoric acid prices, a critical raw material for SHMP production, intensified cost-related downward pressure. Despite some supply-side challenges stemming from adverse weather and geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, ample inventories and steady imports ensured a stable supply, preventing significant shortages. However, the market remained under pressure from oversupply and limited demand recovery. Logistical costs eased slightly due to lower container rates, but disruptions in trade routes and cautious buying behavior persisted, reflecting broader economic uncertainties. By the end of the quarter, the SHMP price stood at USD 1144/MT CFR Jebel Ali. With steady supply and subdued consumption, market participants adopted a cautious outlook, anticipating continued price pressure in the near term as demand-side challenges and economic uncertainties overshadow recovery prospects. The market's performance highlighted its vulnerability to both sector-specific and broader macroeconomic factors.
