For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Percarbonate prices exhibited limited volatility, fluctuating within a tight range amid several influencing factors. The U.S. economy showed resilience, although inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties continued to pose challenges.
Supply trends were shaped by stable manufacturing performance and changing trade dynamics. A minor drop in the PPI for manufacturing industries, from 249.624 in Q2 to 248.383 in Q3, signaled slight production cost savings. The restocking of inventories, following Q1 drawdowns, helped Q2 GDP grow by 3.0%, with 2.7% annual growth expected.
Consumer spending and corporate investments, driven by initiatives like the CHIPS Act, kept demand robust, as inflation dropped below 3.0% in July. However, geopolitical tensions in key regions, along with potential tariffs on imports, raised concerns about supply chains and trade disruptions. The Fed’s forthcoming rate cuts are intended to stimulate household spending and growth, though labor market shifts and trade uncertainties may affect supply dynamics heading into 2025.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the APAC region witnessed stable prices for Sodium Percarbonate, reflecting a balanced market environment. Various factors influenced market prices, including supply chain challenges, geopolitical tensions, and fluctuations in demand from key industries. These factors contributed to a consistent pricing trend across the region. China, in particular, experienced significant price changes, with a 6% increase from the previous quarter. The market dynamics in China were influenced by mixed trends in demand, particularly in the automotive and real estate sectors. Despite these fluctuations, the overall pricing environment remained stable, with prices showing no significant difference between the first and second halves of the quarter. Plant shutdowns and disruptions, though not specified in the data, may have had localized impacts on supply, affecting price stability. The quarter-ending price of USD 835/MT for Sodium Percarbonate Coated FOB Ningbo in China signifies a steady pricing trend, indicating a predominantly stable market sentiment throughout Q3 2024.
Europe
European Sodium Percarbonate prices fluctuated narrowly throughout Q3 2024 due to lingering economic uncertainties, fueled by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and sluggish growth in the U.S. and Europe. Rising freight costs added to the challenges, with carriers like MSC and CMA CGM raising FAK rates to as high as $6,500 per container amid space constraints and operational fees. Additional disruptions from the Red Sea crisis and Singapore’s port congestion delayed shipments. Air freight rates from Northeast Asia to Europe also climbed sharply, boosted by rising e-commerce sales and semiconductor demand. Despite added capacity, imbalances between outbound and inbound shipments persisted. As geopolitical risks and seasonal demand intensify, freight market volatility is expected to continue into Q4. On the economic side, Germany—the eurozone's largest economy—struggled with weak industrial output, high energy costs, and declining exports, dragging down regional economic performance.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has been characterized by a significant upward trend in Sodium Percarbonate prices in the North American market. The faced supply constraints due to moderate to low manufacturing rates and intermittent labor shortages, exacerbating the disparity between supply and demand. During this period, were production cuts prompted by the hurricane season in the North American region. The impact of tropical storms led to widespread flooding and significant disruptions in transportation infrastructure, which severely hampered logistics and supply chains.
Additionally, the prolonged power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl further disrupted manufacturing operations across the region, exacerbating the supply constraints. Together, these elements created a challenging environment for the Sodium Percarbonate market in the USA, driving prices higher and highlighting the sensitivity of the market to both raw material costs and environmental disruptions.
Additionally, the chemical sector's fluctuating trade volumes, affected by global trade restrictions and refining activities, have added to the upward pressure on prices. The interplay of these factors prompted towards widened disparity between demand and supply thus supporting the price hike throughout the Q2.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the market for Sodium Percarbonate in the APAC region experienced significant price increases, driven by a confluence of market dynamics. This quarter has seen heightened demand from international markets, exacerbated by a surge in freight charges and overall inflationary pressures in raw material costs. Export orders have risen robustly, supported by a global restocking cycle that has strained supply chains and freight capacities, leading to significant rate increases. Additionally, the chemical sector's fluctuating trade volumes, affected by global trade restrictions and refining activities, have added to the upward pressure on prices. Focusing on China, which has witnessed the most pronounced price changes, the trend has been decidedly bullish. The Chinese manufacturing PMI, although slightly lower than its peak, indicates an ongoing expansion in factory activity, bolstering demand for chemical products like Sodium Percarbonate. The overall trend for the quarter has been marked by robust export growth, moderate domestic demand, and the influence of seasonal restocking cycles, particularly from European markets. Notably, there has been a marked correlation between rising freight costs and the price of Sodium Percarbonate, pushing prices up by 3% between the first and second halves of the quarter. Despite a recorded 1% decline from the previous quarter, the market sentiment remains positive, reflecting a sustained upward trajectory. The quarter concluded with a price of USD 800/MT for Sodium Percarbonate Coated FOB Ningbo in China, indicating a strong pricing environment bolstered by international demand and logistical constraints, without any significant disruptions or plant shutdowns reported during this period.
Europe
The second quarter of 2024 has been characterized by a significant upward trend in Sodium Percarbonate prices in the European market. This increase was largely driven by supply constraints due to moderate to low manufacturing rates and intermittent labor shortages, which exacerbated the disparity between supply and demand. Persistent trade uncertainties and supply chain disruptions also played a critical role. Ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and port congestions have significantly delayed the export of various commodities, including Sodium Percarbonate, to Europe. These disruptions were compounded by a recent strike at Hamburg's port, following earlier warning strikes. These labor actions severely affected vessel operations, leading to congestion at container terminals and further complicating the timely delivery of goods to European markets. Together, these factors have created a challenging environment for the Sodium Percarbonate market in Europe, highlighting the market's sensitivity to both raw material costs and environmental disruptions. Additionally, fluctuating trade volumes in the chemical sector, influenced by global trade restrictions and refining activities, have added upward pressure on prices. The interplay of these factors has widened the disparity between demand and supply, thereby supporting the price hike throughout the second quarter.
