For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, the Tetradecane Price Index rose by 4.2% quarter-over-quarter, supported by firmer feedstock and steady imports.
• The average Tetradecane price for the quarter was approximately USD 1702.33/MT on CFR basis.
• Tetradecane Spot Price softened in August as lower freight arrivals reduced import costs, easing seller pricing.
• Tetradecane Price Forecast indicates modest autumn volatility with the Price Index influenced by seasonal restocking.
• Tetradecane Production Cost Trend remained firm due to sustained paraffin and crude-linked feedstock pressures across Gulf.
• Tetradecane Demand Outlook stays steady as automotive coatings and industrial maintenance support continued consumption into Q4.
• Tetradecane Price Index strength was aided by pre-Q4 restocking despite adequate inventories and sustained export interest.
• Major producer operations remained stable with no disruptions, while import scheduling and port congestion influenced availability.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in September 2025 in North America?
• Easing freight rates reduced import costs, lowering immediate upward pressure on domestic Tetradecane prices.
• Stable crude benchmarks kept paraffin feedstock expensive, sustaining production cost pressures and preventing sharper price declines.
• Moderate downstream restocking by coatings and automotive buyers supported demand, counterbalancing supply-driven softening effects thereby.
APAC
• In China, the Tetradecane Price Index rose by 4.45% quarter-over-quarter, driven by seasonal restocking demand.
• The average Tetradecane price for the quarter was approximately USD 1588.33/MT, supporting measured restocking activity.
• Domestic Tetradecane Spot Price firmed as solvent consumption rose, tightening availability and prompting seller firmness.
• Tetradecane Price Index movement tracked stronger crude benchmarks, translating into firmer offers from domestic suppliers.
• Tetradecane Production Cost Trend highlighted upward pressure as paraffin and energy expenses increased, reducing margins.
• Tetradecane Demand Outlook remains positive for coatings and automotive maintenance, supporting near-term offtake and pricing.
• Managed inventories and export flows moderate volatility while sellers maintained measured offers to preserve margins.
• Tetradecane Price Forecast anticipates moderate autumn upside, tempered by seasonal normalization and cautious downstream procurement.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Seasonal restocking and summer project activity increased demand, tightening available spot volumes and supporting prices.
• Firm paraffin feedstock and steady crude benchmarks raised production costs, transmitting upward pressure to market offers.
• Cautious downstream procurement and export flows limited upside, while port congestion and logistics constrained timely deliveries.
Europe
• The Tetradecane Price Index in Germany softened during Q3 2025, reflecting weaker downstream demand from paints & coatings, lubricants, and solvents.
• The average Tetradecane Spot Price for the quarter declined, pressured by oversupply and sluggish procurement from automotive and industrial sectors.
• Spot Price weakness was reinforced by inventory accumulation across distributors, as buyers delayed restocking amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions.
• The Tetradecane Price Forecast points to a cautious outlook into Q4 2025, with potential stabilization if crude oil prices firm and downstream solvent demand recovers.
• The Tetradecane Production Cost Trend remained soft, as declining crude oil and n paraffin feedstock prices reduced cost pressures for German producers.
• The Price Index stayed under pressure as sellers offered discounts to clear stocks, while imports from Asia added to local supply.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Prices decreased in September 2025, driven by weak solvent demand from paints & coatings and automotive sectors.
• Oversupply and high inventories across distributors added downward pressure on the Price Index.
• Although crude oil costs showed some firmness, the lack of downstream pull prevented producers from passing through higher costs, resulting in softer Spot Prices.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Tetradecane Price Index in North America declined by 7.2% Q-o-Q in Q2 2025, largely due to bearish sentiment, reduced solvent demand, and stable upstream feedstock pricing.
• Spot price pressure emerged in April as weak procurement from automobile and paints & coatings sectors led to inventory accumulation across distributors.
• The production cost trend remained soft due to declining crude oil and n-paraffin feedstock prices, while local manufacturing stayed consistent without major outages.
• Demand from the automotive sector cooled post-March, with tariff-driven early buying exhausting inventory and slowing solvent consumption into Q2.
• Although restocking picked up in May–June, overall demand outlook remained moderate, with buyers adopting short-term procurement amid stable import volumes from Asia.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in July 2025 in North America?
• Prices increased slightly due to seasonal uptick in coatings demand and cautious restocking across industrial segments.
• Expectations of Q3 demand growth led traders to raise spot offers and hedge against possible logistics constraints.
• Despite sufficient inventory, cost normalization and improved downstream sentiment allowed sellers to lift spot prices marginally.
Europe
• The Tetradecane Price Index in Europe declined Q-o-Q during Q2 2025, primarily due to weak industrial demand, high input costs, and reduced buying confidence across key regions.
• Sluggish downstream consumption from paints, coatings, and automotive manufacturing affected spot price trends, keeping offers subdued throughout the quarter.
• The production cost trend in the region stayed elevated due to feedstock and energy inflation, but weak demand prevented full cost pass-through to buyers.
• Construction slowdowns in Germany, France, and Italy further dampened solvent consumption, with only selective demand from high-performance coatings sectors.
• The demand outlook for Q3 remained flat, as solvent reformulations in line with stricter VOC regulations limited traditional tetradecane usage.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in July 2025 in Europe?
• Prices decreased, driven by persistent oversupply, tepid industrial demand, and growing substitution toward low-VOC alternatives.
• Distributors were forced to cut offers to stimulate interest, especially amid high port inventories and weak macroeconomic signals.
• Competitive import offers from Asia added to the downward pressure on regional spot prices.
Asia Pacific (APAC)
• The Tetradecane Price Index in APAC fell by 5.94% Q-o-Q in Q2 2025, despite stable manufacturing activity, due to overcapacity and selective downstream buying.
• April saw steep price drops amid post-holiday industrial sluggishness and weak buying in coatings and auto sectors across China and Southeast Asia.
• The production cost trend remained steady with low paraffin input prices, although surging crude benchmarks in late Q2 began nudging costs higher.
• Increased output in China, combined with flat export demand early in the quarter, weighed on spot price performance despite firm NEV-driven automotive activity.
• The demand outlook improved by June as regional OEMs and paint formulators began early restocking ahead of Q3 production ramp-ups.
Why did the price of Tetradecane change in July 2025 in APAC?
• Despite signs of demand recovery, prices declined due to oversupply and cautious procurement across China, South Korea, and India.
• Market players prioritized inventory liquidation to make room for expected August arrivals, pressuring spot prices.
• Exporters adjusted prices downward to remain competitive amid slowing uptake from European buyers.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Tetradecane market in North America exhibited a downward trend in Q1 2025, with prices consistently declining due to weak demand from the automobiles and paints and coatings sectors. In USA, during January, prices showed a marginal increase, supported by stable procurement activity despite moderate industrial performance. However, February witnessed a notable decline of 2.2% as inflationary pressures constrained consumer spending, prompting cautious purchasing strategies. By
March, prices had dropped significantly, reaching USD 1,660 per MT, marking a quarter-end correction in response to high inventory levels and limited new orders. Manufacturers maintained moderate output levels while importers refrained from bulk purchasing due to sufficient stockpiles. Freight charges remained a challenge but reduced crude oil prices helped limit cost escalation.
Although the paints and coatings sector showed stable production, a shift towards bio-based formulations reduced reliance on hydrocarbon solvents, further affecting the demand. The automobile sector's performance remained inconsistent, with panic buying ahead of tariff hikes failing to result in higher Tetradecane usage.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC Tetradecane market experienced moderate fluctuations across key economies such as China and India. January saw stable pricing, with China recording a marginal 1% increase due to pre-festive inventory buildup, while India observed a nominal rise, driven by demand from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. February marked a turning point, as the Lunar New Year in China reduced trading activity, keeping prices flat, while India saw a price drop of 3.8% amid excess supply. March recorded the sharpest adjustments, with China experiencing a 6% drop, mainly due to weak demand from automobiles and coatings, and India also experiencing a significant decrease, affected by the reduced procurement from key industries and falling crude oil prices. Oversupply conditions and cautious trade sentiment limited any significant price recovery across the region. Despite stable manufacturing rates, buyers continued to rely on existing inventories, delaying new purchases. Overall, the quarter closed on a bearish note for the region, as economic uncertainties and cautious trade activities limited the overall market growth.
Europe
The Tetradecane market in Europe experienced fluctuating trends in Q1 2025, with demand varying across key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and coatings. Especially in Germany, January saw stable procurement activity, supported by consistent usage from specialty chemicals and lubricant manufacturers. However, February experienced a downturn as economic uncertainties weighed on industrial purchasing, leading to cautious buying behaviour and limited the trade volumes. By March, the market observed a significant reduction in prices, affected by the average demand from coatings and automobile companies alongside reduced crude oil prices. Supply-side conditions remained balanced, with producers adjusting output to match actual usage rates. Importers limited bulk purchases amid reduced sentiment, maintaining moderate inventory levels. While pharmaceutical demand provided stability, broader industrial consumption remained inconsistent. Towards the quarter-end, paints and coatings manufacturers showed mild recovery, hinting at potential improvement in demand. Overall, the region ended the quarter on an average note, with economic uncertainties and limited trading activities affecting the growth of the Tetradecane market.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the Tetradecane market in North America showed resilience, particularly driven by its applications in the personal care and specialty chemicals sectors. The personal care industry increasingly favoured Tetradecane for its emollient properties, making it a popular ingredient in high-end skincare products and cosmetics. This trend was enhanced by a growing consumer preference for formulations that are both effective and environmentally friendly.
Additionally, Tetradecane's role in the production of high-performance lubricants gained traction, especially in sectors requiring low volatility and thermal stability. The automotive industry, recovering from previous supply chain disruptions, began to demand more advanced lubricant formulations, further supporting Tetradecane's market position.
However, challenges persisted due to fluctuating raw material costs and inflationary pressures affecting manufacturing operations. By December, while some companies faced inventory adjustments to align with demand fluctuations, the overall market sentiment remained positive. Stakeholders anticipated growth into 2025, driven by innovations in sustainable product development and increased regulatory support for eco-friendly chemical applications across various industries.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the Tetradecane market in the APAC region, especially in China, experienced stable growth driven by its diverse applications across several industries. The personal care sector emerged as a significant driver, with Tetradecane being favoured for its emollient properties in skincare and cosmetic formulations. As consumers increasingly sought products with natural ingredients, manufacturers highlighted Tetradecane's compatibility with plant-based formulations.
The chemical's role in the production of specialty lubricants also gained traction, particularly in high-performance applications where thermal stability and low volatility are essential. This trend was supported by the automotive sector's recovery, which increased demand for advanced lubricants in vehicles.
However, the market faced challenges from fluctuating feedstock prices and ongoing supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions. By December, while some producers adjusted their inventories in response to changing demand patterns, the overall outlook remained positive. Stakeholders anticipated further growth into 2025, driven by innovations in product development and a growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly formulations across various industries in the region.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Tetradecane market in Europe demonstrated resilience, particularly within the personal care and specialty chemicals sectors. The demand for Tetradecane surged as cosmetic manufacturers increasingly incorporated it into formulations for its emollient properties and ability to enhance product texture. This trend was driven by a consumer shift towards high-quality, sustainable beauty products, prompting brands to highlight Tetradecane's compatibility with natural ingredients.
The automotive sector also played a crucial role, utilizing Tetradecane in advanced lubricant formulations designed for electric vehicles (EVs). As the EV market expanded, manufacturers sought lubricants that could withstand higher temperatures and provide superior performance, positioning Tetradecane favourably.
However, the market faced challenges from rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions exacerbated by geopolitical tensions. By December, while some producers reported inventory adjustments due to fluctuating demand patterns, the overall outlook remained optimistic. Stakeholders anticipated growth into 2025, driven by innovations in sustainable applications and increasing regulatory support for environmentally friendly chemicals across Europe’s diverse industrial landscape.
