For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Index in China declined by 17.6% quarter-on-quarter, settling at USD 750/MT FOB Shanghai in June 2025.
• Why did the price of Sodium Tripolyphosphate change in July 2025 in China? After a brief rise in April due to higher feedstock costs and detergent sector optimism, prices declined in May and June amid growing inventories and softening global export demand.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Forecast for Q3 2025: Prices are expected to remain under mild pressure amid sustained export headwinds and ongoing transitions to greener formulations in key markets like the EU and Southeast Asia.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Production Cost Trend: Raw material costs—especially phosphate rock and soda ash—fell throughout the quarter, easing producer margins. Feedstock phosphoric acid costs spiked briefly in late March but moderated by June.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Demand Outlook: Domestic demand in China was supported by steady detergent sector growth, though STPP volumes per unit declined as producers reformulated toward phosphate-free blends.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Export markets softened; Brazilian and Indonesian buyers delayed shipments, while new EU regulations curbed phosphate-based imports. Inventory buildup led to competitive pricing in June.
• Trade Policy Impact: U.S. tariffs on Chinese chemical imports—including STPP—dampened shipments to North America. However, Chinese suppliers redirected cargoes to ASEAN and Latin America.
• Detergent Sector: China’s detergent output rose 6.2% YoY in Q1 2025, with continued momentum into April.
• However, STPP consumption lagged as phosphate-free alternatives gained traction. In Southeast Asia, higher palm oil prices and delayed procurement cycles slowed off-take.
Europe
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Index in Russia declined by 7.6% quarter-on-quarter, settling at USD 760/MT FOB Saint Petersburg in June 2025.
• Why did the price of Sodium Tripolyphosphate change in July 2025 in Europe? Prices initially rose in April on strong Indian demand and firm phosphate production, but declined in May and June amid softened export interest, particularly from India. Despite stable production, inventory buildup and lower detergent-sector demand weighed on market sentiment.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Forecast for Q3 2025: Prices are likely to remain range-bound, with slight upside risk if Indian imports resume strongly or if phosphate feedstock costs rebound.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Production Cost Trend: Input costs for phosphoric acid and soda ash declined steadily through the quarter, easing producer margins. Russian production at PhosAgro’s Volkhov plant remained stable with no major cost shocks, while Baltic freight rates softened marginally, aiding export competitiveness.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Demand Outlook: Demand from India—the largest importer of Russian STPP—softened in May and June, as FMCG firms shifted toward greener detergent formulas.
• Domestic Sodium Tripolyphosphate demand in Russia remained subdued, while CIS and European buyers minimized purchases due to inventory overhang and environmental regulations discouraging phosphate use.
• Trade Policy Impact: Sanctions-related compliance remained a minor logistical hurdle, but Russia successfully maintained exports to non-Western markets like India, Brazil, and China. EU buyers continued to restrict phosphate-based imports due to regulatory barriers, further concentrating Russian trade flows eastward.
• Detergent Sector: In Russia, detergent production slowed modestly in Q2 as domestic and CIS demand eased. Indian detergent firms reduced STPP content in formulations, aligning with upcoming eco-labelling norms.
North America
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Index in the U.S. June plunged by 21.5% quarter-on-quarter, settling at USD 890/MT CFR Los Angeles in June 2025.
• Why did the price of Sodium Tripolyphosphate change in July 2025 in the U.S.? STPP prices rose modestly through the quarter, supported by strong Q1 detergent sector performance and logistics-related cost pressures at major import hubs like the Port of Los Angeles.
• However, mid-quarter saw a dip as buyers reduced spot activity, relying on inventories and shifting to phosphate-free formulations before a June rebound driven by contract renewals and restocking activity.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Forecast for Q3 2025: Prices are expected to remain stable-to-soft as detergent manufacturers continue phasing out phosphate-based additives.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Production Cost Trend: The U.S. remained reliant on imports, particularly from Canada, Belgium, and China. Falling global prices for feedstocks such as phosphate rock and soda ash in Q2 helped overseas suppliers reduce offers.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Demand Outlook: STPP demand weakened mid-quarter as detergent producers leaned on existing inventories and increased adoption of phosphate-free formulations.
• Trade Policy Impact: New U.S. chemical import screening procedures and evolving tariff landscapes caused temporary port congestion and administrative delays, particularly in Los Angeles.
• Spot purchases from China fell under scrutiny, while imports from Canada and Belgium remained steady under long-term agreements.
• Detergent Sector: U.S. household cleaning product demand held firm, but STPP usage declined due to widespread reformulations favoring phosphate-free detergents.
Middle East & Africa
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Index in Tunisia dropped by 6.5% quarter-on-quarter, reaching USD 811/MT FOB Tunis in June 2025.
• Why did the price of Sodium Tripolyphosphate change in July 2025 in Tunisia? Prices increased moderately in Q2 as producers balanced steady output with export headwinds. April’s mild rebound in detergent sector demand supported initial gains but May saw prices fall amid weak global demand.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Price Forecast for Q3 2025: Prices are expected to remain range-bound in Q3, with limited upside. Demand recovery from India and the U.S. may be gradual, and rising competition from alternative low-phosphate blends could weigh on STPP offtake.
• Production Cost Trend: Input costs declined through Q2—phosphate rock and soda ash prices softened, easing producer margins. Tunisian facilities, particularly in Gabès, ran at full rates post-maintenance.
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate Demand Outlook: STPP demand from India, the U.S., and the Netherlands—the top importers of Tunisian material—remained subdued due to a shift toward greener detergents and cautious procurement strategies.
• Domestic consumption was modest, with some support from detergent manufacturing. Water treatment demand stayed weak amid budgetary constraints and project delays.
• Trade Policy Impact: No major trade policy shifts occurred in Q2, but rising environmental compliance costs in the EU and North America influenced buying decisions.
• Exporters from Tunisia faced higher freight rates and increased dwell times at Rades, which pushed sellers to offer discounts early in the quarter before regaining pricing strength in June.
• Detergent Sector: Global detergent demand was mixed—India’s rural market grew, but brands reduced STPP usage due to regulatory transitions. U.S. consumption leaned toward phosphate-free products, and Dutch buyers anticipated new phosphorus restrictions.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market experienced significant volatility amid shifting supply dynamics and macroeconomic pressures. Demand from the municipal and industrial water treatment sectors remained resilient, underpinned by stricter regulatory enforcement and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving wastewater treatment systems. Municipal procurement activity increased to align with revised EPA standards, particularly the 2024 Clean Water Act updates.
Despite this stable demand foundation, the broader U.S. manufacturing sector struggled with contraction, driven by reduced output, sluggish export demand, and uncertainties surrounding new policy directions under President Donald Trump’s administration. Compounded by adverse weather events impacting logistics along the Gulf Coast and persistent inflationary pressures, manufacturers faced rising costs in both production and transportation.
In March, market dynamics shifted dramatically due to a sharp rise in low-cost imports from Canada and Belgium. These overseas shipments, benefiting from favorable input costs and regional overcapacity, intensified competition and undercut domestic suppliers. While municipal and industrial demand held firm, it proved insufficient to absorb the increased supply.
APAC
In the first quarter of 2025, the Chinese Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market showed a consistent downward trend driven by multiple supply and demand pressures. During January and February, the market saw moderate weakness as upstream raw material prices remained soft and trading activity was largely stagnant. Despite a seasonal uptick in procurement ahead of the Spring Festival, many investors and traders remained cautious, leading to stable but unremarkable demand levels, especially in the water treatment sector.
Demand dynamics were influenced heavily by the Lunar New Year holiday, where factories closed temporarily, causing temporary shortages and cautious restocking behavior. However, the medium-term outlook was clouded by concerns over ongoing capacity expansions in the chemical industry and potential disruptions from rising U.S. trade tariffs. Exports initially showed strength but later faced increasing pressure from geopolitical uncertainties and policy risks.
By March, the market situation worsened noticeably. The anticipated post-holiday demand recovery failed to materialize, and sluggish consumption across major sectors like detergents, industrial cleaning, and household products led to an oversupplied market. Production levels remained high, but growing inventories forced producers to adopt price-cutting measures to stimulate demand, which only added to the downward momentum in the market.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2025, the Russian Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market faced a series of shifts shaped by both domestic production dynamics and external demand fluctuations. Early in the quarter, the upstream market remained weak, with stagnant trading activity and declining cost support due to soft prices for raw materials like phosphoric acid and soda ash. Demand from the downstream water treatment chemical manufacturing segment initially rose, as buyers engaged in pre-holiday restocking ahead of the Spring Festival, anticipating a seasonal uptick in consumption.
Production activity remained strong throughout the quarter, largely driven by PhosAgro’s performance. The company, supported by its Volkhov facility operating at full capacity, continued to report record production figures. Monthly output consistently exceeded one million tonnes of combined mineral fertilizers, feed phosphates, and STPP. This translated into solid growth for the company on both monthly and annual bases.
Russia’s broader manufacturing sector began the quarter with expansion, supported by rising domestic orders. However, conditions deteriorated by March, with the first contraction in activity in several months, impacted by a steep drop in new orders both locally and internationally. Export demand weakened under the weight of geopolitical uncertainty, trade friction, and reduced appetite from key foreign markets, particularly in Asia.
MEA
In the first quarter of 2025, the Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market in Tunisia experienced a consistent downward trajectory, influenced by weakened demand and persistent supply chain challenges. The upstream market for key raw materials such as phosphoric acid remained soft throughout the period, with stagnant trading activity contributing to a decline in cost support for STPP production.
Manufacturing activity was cautiously maintained by Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT), which continued operating at moderate capacity levels. The company’s approach was shaped by ongoing destocking efforts and efforts to manage inventory levels in light of sluggish downstream offtake. Earlier disruptions due to raw material shortages and declared force majeure events had lingering effects on production and supply planning. Domestically, Tunisia's industrial activity reflected a marginal decline, with lower output reported across chemical manufacturing segments.
Internationally, weaker export demand, especially from key partners like Italy and France undergoing their own manufacturing downturns, added further strain. Additionally, volatile foreign exchange rates and elevated freight costs discouraged regional bulk imports, leading buyers to prioritize inventory drawdowns over new purchases. As a result, demand from water treatment and industrial segments remained subdued through March, reinforcing the overall weak market sentiment for STPP in Tunisia.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market in Q4 2024 exhibited a volatile price trajectory, driven by a confluence of supply and demand factors. The quarter commenced with a gradual price increase driven by increased demand from the municipal and industrial sectors, particularly for water treatment applications.
This upward trend was further supported by imports of higher-priced goods and supply chain disruptions caused by severe weather events, including hurricanes, which impacted production and transportation. While production gradually resumed at key facilities following these disruptions, supply chain bottlenecks and elevated feedstock costs, such as phosphate rock, continued to exert upward pressure on prices.
However, towards the end of the quarter, prices surged significantly, driven by a combination of factors, including increased procurement activities ahead of the holiday season in the North American region, persistent supply chain challenges, and elevated feedstock costs. Despite these challenges, the overall market sentiment remained relatively stable, with concerns about supply chain disruptions and potential for further price increases persisting.
APAC
The APAC Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) market in Q4 2024 exhibited a volatile price trajectory, influenced by a complex interplay of supply and demand factors. The quarter commenced with a price increase driven by firm demand from the water treatment sector. However, prices declined sharply in November due to reduced consumer demand, particularly in the detergent and ceramics industries, and increased competition from lower-priced imports. This downward trend was further exacerbated by destocking activities and a slowdown in exports to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Subsequently, prices rebounded significantly in December, primarily driven by increased procurement activities ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays and firm demand from the water treatment sector. This upward trend was further supported by rising production levels and increased manufacturing activity, driven by government stimulus measures. Despite challenges such as potential labor strikes at US ports and economic uncertainties, the APAC STPP market demonstrated resilience, with strong demand from the water treatment sector and robust domestic production supporting market stability.
Europe
The European STPP market in Q4 2024 exhibited a volatile price trajectory, influenced by a complex interplay of supply and demand factors. The quarter commenced with a price increase driven by firm demand from the water treatment sector. However, prices declined sharply in November due to reduced domestic consumer demand, particularly from the detergent and ceramics industries, and increased competition from lower-priced imports. This downward trend was further exacerbated by destocking activities and a slowdown in export orders from the consumer markets particularly in Asia. Subsequently, prices rebounded significantly in December, driven by a combination of factors, including increased export demand, improved production capabilities, and robust demand from the water treatment sector. This upward trend was further supported by increased investments by major producers like PhosAgro, which enhanced production capacity and infrastructure. Despite economic challenges and geopolitical uncertainties, the Russian STPP market demonstrated resilience, with strong production and export performance contributing to market stability towards the end of the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Tripolyphosphate market in North America witnessed a period of mixed prices, primarily influenced by various key factors. Factors such as reduced demand from downstream industries, including textiles and paper, alongside increased material availability and low consumption, played a significant role in driving prices downward.
The impact of disruptions and periodic plant shutdowns also added pressure on market dynamics. Furthermore, hurricane season during this quarter also impacted the supply chain. The delay in cargo shipment and disrupted logistics network also added uncertainty in the market. In the USA specifically, the market experienced the most significant price fluctuations, with a recorded 5% decrease from the previous quarter.
The quarter saw a notable -12% price difference between the first and second half, reflecting a pronounced downward trend. Ending the quarter at USD 1056/MT of Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) CFR Los Angeles in the USA, the pricing environment overall displayed a negative sentiment, marked by consistent price decreases and challenging market conditions.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Tripolyphosphate pricing in the APAC region experienced significant fluctuations, notably in China. Although the prices noted an incline in the initial month, the support was weak and in the later half of the third quarter, the prices decreased. The market sentiments were mostly negative and influenced by various factors. The reduced consumer demand, particularly in the water treatment and paper sectors, led to a surplus in inventory levels, resulting in price drops.
Additionally, disruptions like plant shutdowns due to floods in key production facilities further impacted the supply chain, contributing to the overall price decrease. China, being the focal point of price changes, recorded a notable -2% decrease from the previous quarter. The correlation between seasonality and price changes was evident, with a -1% price difference observed between the first and second half of the quarter.
The quarter-ending price for Sodium Tripolyphosphate in China stood at USD 880/MT FOB Shanghai, reflecting the persistent downward trend in pricing dynamics. Overall, the market faced challenges with reduced demand, disruptions in supply, and external factors leading to a bearish pricing environment.
MEA
In Q3 2024, Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) prices in Tunisia experienced a fluctuating price trend. Initially, the prices rose only to decline in the second half of the quarter. They were driven by rising upstream raw material costs, particularly phosphate rock and phosphoric acid. These materials faced supply shortages due to market constraints, especially in Asia and other regions. As a result, the phosphate sector, once a vital contributor to Tunisia’s economy, has struggled. Structural issues in rail transportation have compounded these challenges, reducing production levels and weakening the sector’s impact on GDP and national exports. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) revealed a 31.1% drop in phosphate and derivatives exports by the end of May 2024. Despite these hurdles, domestic demand for STPP remained strong, supported by heightened industrial and household consumption, particularly in detergents and water treatment during the summer season. The increased demand in these sectors helped offset the weak performance of downstream industries like textiles and paper, although the support was temporary and the prices dropped in the last month of the quarter. Additionally, exports of STPP from Tunisia continued to numerous markets worldwide, although the broader export sector remains under pressure due to global supply chain challenges and transportation difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the current price trend of Sodium Tripolyphosphate in APAC?
As of June 2025, Sodium Tripolyphosphate prices were assessed at USD 750/MT FOB Shanghai in June 2025.
2. What is the current price trend of Sodium Tripolyphosphate in North America?
As of June 2025, Sodium Tripolyphosphate prices were assessed at USD 890/MT CFR Los Angeles in June 2025.
3. What is the current price trend of Sodium Tripolyphosphate in Europe?
As of June 2025, Sodium Tripolyphosphate prices were assessed at USD 760/MT FOB Saint Petersburg in June 2025.
4. What is the current price trend of Sodium Tripolyphosphate in the Middle East & Africa (MEA)?
As of June 2025, Sodium Tripolyphosphate prices were assessed at USD 811/MT FOB Tunis June 2025.
5. Why did Sodium Tripolyphosphate prices change in July 2025?
• APAC: Prices fell as global buyers delayed spot purchases and detergent makers shifted to phosphate-free formulations.
• North America: Prices first declined due to weak demand, then rebounded amid modest restocking and stable imports from Canada and Belgium.
• Europe: Market adjusted to export dependency; Indian demand fluctuated, and EU phosphate rules impacted spot trade.
• MEA: Lower freight costs and raw material savings helped offset weak demand, but tight output discipline supported a price rebound in June.
