For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America (USA)
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Index along the U.S. Gulf Coast averaged USD 205/MT FOB USGC through Q2 2025, with prices falling in May before rebounding in June. The net quarterly decline was 7.8% from Q1, reflecting weaker offshore demand early in the quarter before firm detergent and paper procurement supported a late recovery.
• The Sodium Sulphate Spot Price moved in line with inventory trends, softening in May as Mexican and Canadian buyers slowed replenishment, but stabilizing in June as producers capitalized on pre-tariff inventory building. Feedstock sodium chloride and sulphur costs stayed stable, keeping the Sodium Sulphate Production Cost Trend neutral despite fluctuations.
• Why did prices change moving into Q3 2025?
The late-quarter rebound signals continued industrial procurement strength, though the prolonged softness in consumer spending and export markets could temper further upside.
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Forecast for Q3 suggests a steady-to-firm trajectory, supported by tariff uncertainty and non-discretionary detergent demand, though global competitiveness will remain a challenge versus sub-USD 70/MT Asian cargoes.
• The Sodium Sulphate Demand Outlook is stable for detergents and paper, with textiles, glass, and packaging acting as laggards amid fragile export and consumer-linked activity.
Europe (Germany)
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Index in Germany averaged USD 241/MT FD Hamburg during Q2 2025. The net quarterly fall was 5.5% from Q1, driven by weaker downstream demand and import competition early on, followed by supply-driven firmness in June.
• The Sodium Sulphate Spot Price stabilized late in the quarter as by-product supply tightened and service-related costs (logistics, labor) inflated distributor expenses. Lower energy prices kept the Sodium Sulphate Production Cost Trend moderate, with cost-push pressures coming mainly from non-energy overheads.
• Why did prices change moving into Q3 2025?
Prices are expected to hold near current levels as detergent demand underpins stability, though cyclical segments like textiles and glass may weaken further if industrial sentiment falters.
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Forecast for Q3 indicates firm-to-stable pricing, dependent on service cost inflation and stable detergent offtake, with upward potential capped by the risk of a deeper EU industrial slowdown.
• The Sodium Sulphate Demand Outlook shows resilience in detergents and pulp & paper, while textiles, glass, and packaging remain subdued, favoring staggered spot purchases.
Asia-Pacific (China)
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Index in China averaged USD 67/MT FOB Shandong in Q2 2025. The net quarterly decline was 4.3% from Q1, though June’s recovery reflected a shift toward tightening supply and renewed downstream restocking.
• The Sodium Sulphate Spot Price strengthened late in the quarter as reduced by-product output from rayon and lithium sectors tightened availability. Stable soda ash and sulphur inputs kept the Sodium Sulphate Production Cost Trend neutral, but spot scarcity enabled margin expansion.
• Why did prices change moving into Q3 2025?
The late rebound is expected to continue as international buyers face firmer offers, particularly in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, while domestic detergent and glass demand stays active.
• The Sodium Sulphate Price Forecast for Q3 points to upside potential, assuming supply remains tight and downstream restocking persists, though a production rebound in rayon and lithium may limit gains.
• The Sodium Sulphate Demand Outlook remains anchored by detergents, pulp, and packaging, with glass benefiting from construction-linked recovery, while textiles continue to lag due to soft export-driven apparel orders.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Sodium Sulphate prices in the U.S. displayed a fluctuating pattern across Q1 2025. January witnessed a price rise due to reduced production rates, logistical disruptions, and tight inventories, despite steady demand from detergents, glass, and pulp & paper sectors.
February saw a reversal, with prices falling by around 4% as downstream demand weakened and inventories remained elevated. Consumer spending recovery was modest, particularly in discretionary goods, which weighed on detergent and FMCG-related usage. Production levels remained stable, but manufacturers operated conservatively to avoid oversupply, with feedstock and energy costs offering no significant upward push.
By March, prices inched up again amid moderate demand recovery from the textile and glass sectors, along with seasonally driven replenishment in detergent stock levels. Freight rates continued to ease, supporting logistics, while tariff concerns and global trade uncertainty added caution to procurement behaviour. Overall, Q1 closed with a mild recovery in March, but the market outlook for Q2 remains cautious, dependent on broader economic stabilization, restocking activity, and industrial demand improvement.
APAC
Sodium Sulphate prices in China declined steadily across Q1 2025, dropping from USD 74 to 68/MT FOB Shandong, as market sentiment weakened amid consistent supply and soft downstream demand. January saw a modest price increase supported by pre-Lunar New Year stocking from detergent and textile sectors. However, by February and March, prices reversed, pressured by cautious procurement in glass, dyeing, and detergent industries. Despite stable feedstock costs and normalized operations post-holiday, subdued export orders and low seasonal pull in fertilizers and construction kept buying activity limited. Producers maintained normal operating rates, but elevated inventories and conservative restocking trends reinforced the bearish tone. While detergent demand offered intermittent support, segments like glass, ceramics, and textile dyeing remained lacklustre due to weak real estate and export-linked performance. Fertilizer demand also stayed minimal as buyers favored more nutrient-dense substitutes. As Q1 ended, the market was well-supplied, with prices likely to stay rangebound unless stronger stimulus in industrial activity or international demand emerges heading into Q2 2025.
Europe
Sodium Sulphate prices in Germany firmed across Q1 2025, rising to 250/MT FD Hamburg in March, driven by improved downstream activity and easing input cost pressures. While the broader EU industrial sentiment remained cautious, moderate restocking in detergents, textiles, and packaging supported price stability. Domestic manufacturers maintained ~85% plant utilization, aided by stable soda ash and sulphur prices and improved logistics—particularly from Hamburg and Bremerhaven. Demand rebounded in the detergent segment ahead of spring cleaning campaigns, while textile dyehouses increased Sodium Sulphate offtake with rising apparel orders from Southern Europe. Glass and ceramic consumption also improved as infrastructure projects resumed under EU stimulus efforts. The pulp and packaging industry lifted procurement amid concerns over potential U.S.–EU trade disruptions. Imports remained price-competitive, but well-managed inventory levels kept market balance intact. Despite fragile industrial recovery and regulatory cost pressures, stable operating conditions and seasonally aligned buying activity sustained a mild uptrend. Heading into Q2, sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, contingent on continued downstream momentum and trade stability.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the U.S. sodium sulphate market exhibited mixed trends, with prices declining in October and November before showing bullish signs in December. The early decline in prices was driven by high supply levels, leading to lower inventory costs, while demand remained steady across sectors like water treatment and detergents.
October saw strong demand from municipal and industrial water treatment applications, supported by seasonal needs like managing agricultural runoff and winter preparation. The detergent sector also demonstrated resilience, with increased residential demand during flu season and holiday cleaning activities. However, November faced a seasonal dip in detergent and surfactant demand, influenced by reduced consumer spending and heightened competition, which dampened market sentiment.
By December, the market rebounded as seasonal trends in the water treatment sector drove heightened demand due to colder weather and year-end industrial maintenance activities. Municipal water treatment facilities increased chemical consumption to address freezing risks and system scaling, while industrial sectors ramped up maintenance-related operations. The detergent sector also saw an uptick in demand during the holiday season, further supporting sodium sulphate consumption. Despite challenges like high shipping costs and subdued demand in some downstream industries, the market remained optimistic, underpinned by robust seasonal activity and cautious optimism for recovery in 2025.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the sodium sulphate market in India demonstrated a dynamic price trend, starting with declines in October, followed by rising prices in November and steady growth in December. In October, prices dropped due to lower-cost imports from the Asian market, particularly China, combined with high supply levels that led traders to offer discounts. Seasonal demand surged in the water treatment sector, driven by government-backed infrastructure projects and festive season-related cleaning requirements, which boosted consumption in both residential and industrial cleaning sectors. By November, prices rose as robust demand from the water treatment and surfactant industries met with slightly reduced domestic supply, leading to stocks being sold at premium rates. Input cost inflation and increased competition added further pressure to prices, although steady imports from Asia ensured adequate market availability. In December, prices remained firm as winter-season demand from municipal water treatment facilities and industrial cleaning sectors strengthened. Municipalities focused on maintaining water quality during colder months, while industrial facilities ramped up year-end maintenance, boosting sodium sulphate consumption. The detergent industry also sustained high demand, particularly for liquid detergents, reflecting a shift toward premium, urban-driven products. Overall, Q4 2024 highlighted steady growth in sodium sulphate demand, underpinned by urbanization, industrialization, and a strong focus on sustainability and efficiency in water and industrial treatment applications.
Europe
In Q4 2024, sodium sulphate prices in Germany exhibited a dynamic trend, starting with a decline in November due to weak demand and ample stock levels but slightly rising in December as seasonal demand from the detergent and cleaning industries surged. In November, subdued activity across key sectors, coupled with supply-side constraints, pressured prices downward. Despite this, the detergent sector remained a bright spot, with demand increasing due to colder weather, heightened hygiene concerns, and the use of cleaning products tailored for winter needs. By December, traditional year-end cleaning practices and heightened household activity in preparation for the holiday season drove significant demand for detergents, boosting the consumption of sodium sulphate as a key raw material. Seasonal cleaning habits and economic pressures also influenced consumer behaviour, with preferences shifting toward cost-effective and own-label products. On the supply side, steady imports and stable domestic production ensured adequate availability, though broader Eurozone manufacturing challenges, including declining factory activity, highlighted ongoing regional economic constraints. Overall, seasonal trends, combined with the detergent sector’s resilience, played a pivotal role in shaping the sodium sulphate market in Germany, with demand peaking during the colder months despite broader economic pressures.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Sulphate market in North America experienced a increase in First half of Q3 2024 while prices declined in the second half, heavily influenced by several key factors. The Initial rise was due to adequate demand to meet downstream industries.
Excess inventories in the market led to traders offering stocks at lower prices, creating a bearish sentiment. The unexpected rise in U.S. retail sales in August hinted at a solid economy, which pushed against expectations for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, impacting market dynamics. Additionally, disruptions like Hurricane Beryl earlier in the quarter contributed to weak consumer spending data.
Specifically in the USA, the market saw significant price changes with a 7% decrease from the previous quarter. The second half of the quarter recorded a notable -5% price difference compared to the first half. These fluctuations reflect a challenging pricing environment, with prices ending the quarter at USD 216/MT of Sodium Sulphate DEL Louisiana. Overall, the pricing trends in the USA exhibited a negative correlation, influenced by supply-demand dynamics, economic indicators, and external disruptions.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Sulphate market in the APAC region experienced a significant increase in the first half and then decline in the second half of Q3 2024 prices. Various factors influenced this downturn, including disruptions like plant shutdowns in Thailand and China due to typhoons. These disruptions caused short-term impacts on supply, leading to decreased pricing sentiments. Additionally, weak demand from downstream industries and a decrease in methanol prices contributed to the overall negative pricing trend. Japan, in particular, saw the maximum price changes in the region, with prices declining by 8% from the same quarter last year. The quarter recorded a 6% decrease in prices from the first to the second half, marking a substantial shift. The quarter-ending price in Japan stood at USD 112/MT of Sodium Sulphate FOB Tokyo, reflecting the prevalent decreasing sentiment in the market. These price changes indicate a challenging period for the Sodium Sulphate market in the APAC region, characterized by a negative pricing environment and unstable market conditions.
Europe
The Sodium Sulphate market in Europe during Q3 2024 witnessed an increase in first month of Quarter 3 amid rise in business activity and starting of new quarter and thereon decline in prices throughout Q3, with Germany experiencing the most significant changes. The market was influenced by factors such as high inventories, weak demand in downstream industries, and lower import prices from Asian markets. The European economy showed signs of slowing down, impacting retail sales and inflation expectations. In Germany, the detergent industry faced challenges due to economic uncertainties and rising production costs. Additionally, the ongoing Red Sea crisis disrupted global supply chains, leading to higher import values and supply chain complexities. Despite stable domestic production, the market grappled with insufficient stocks meeting downstream demand, further impacting prices. Plant shutdowns and disruptions added to the market volatility, contributing to the overall negative sentiment. Germany saw a stability in prices from the previous quarter, reflecting the subdued growth trend in the market. The quarter-ending price for Sodium Sulphate FD Hamburg was recorded at USD 255/MT, highlighting the continued downward trajectory in pricing for the region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the average price of Sodium Sulphate for Q2 2025?
China: USD 67/MT FOB Shandong; Germany: USD 241/MT FD Hamburg; USA: USD 205/MT FOB USGC.
2. Why did Sodium Sulphate prices change moving into Q3 2025?
Prices were shaped by late-quarter supply tightening in China and Europe, resilient detergent-driven procurement in the USA, and subdued textile and glass demand globally.
3. Who are the top Sodium Sulphate producers globally?
Key suppliers include Sichuan Union Chemical, Lenzing Group, NaFine Chemical, Adisseo, and Elementis.
4. What is the Sodium Sulphate Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
Prices are projected to remain stable to firm, with upside supported by supply constraints and non-cyclical demand, though growth will be capped if industrial slowdowns deepen.
