For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American market for Tetrasodium EDTA experienced a slight decline of 6.92% during the first quarter of 2025. This trend can be attributed to a combination of factors. Demand from downstream sectors such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and personal care products remained relatively steady but not robust enough to drive significant price increases.
The seasonal transition from winter to spring also played a role, as this period often brings adjustments in demand and production cycles, leading to softer market activity. Additionally, the continued presence of tariff impositions affected procurement strategies which had an indirect effect on price levels. Suppliers maintained well-managed inventory levels to balance steady demand without creating unnecessary price fluctuations.
The subdued demand and cautious purchasing behaviour from key industries contributed to the overall price moderation observed during this quarter. Despite these dynamics, the market remained stable and resilient. In summary, the North American market for Tetrasodium EDTA showed a slight price decline in first quarter of 2025 shaped by seasonality, procurement strategies and demand patterns.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific market for Tetrasodium EDTA saw a decline of 7.03% in the first quarter of 2025. This decrease in prices can be attributed to a combination of seasonal factors and moderate demand fluctuations from key downstream sectors such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and personal care. The seasonal transition during this period with the Chinese Lunar Year resulted in slower manufacturing and production cycles and impacting overall market dynamics in APAC region.
Demand in the region remained stable but was not strong enough to support significant price increases. The festive season also led to temporary slowdowns in production, affecting supply levels and overall market activity. Suppliers in the region adjusted their procurement strategies, maintaining inventory levels that aligned with the lower demand. While the logistics and supply chains remained efficient, the subdued demand from end-user industries put some downward pressure on prices.
Overall, the Asia Pacific market for Tetrasodium EDTA saw a moderate price decline in first quarter of 2025. The price trend was influenced by seasonal transitions, holiday effects and steady but cautious demand from downstream sectors.
Europe
In Europe, the Tetrasodium EDTA market saw a moderate decline of 4.97% during the first quarter of 2025. This price adjustment is largely attributed to a combination of subdued demand from downstream sectors like pharmaceuticals, personal care, and nutraceuticals. While the supply remained steady, there was a slight dip in production activity, which contributed to the softer price trend.
The seasonal transition during this period also influenced demand, which typically experiences a dip as production cycles adjust. However, suppliers in the region employed strategic procurement practices and maintained inventory levels to balance the market and avoid sharp price changes. Logistics continued to run smoothly, which helped minimize any disruptions to supply chains. Despite the weaker demand, the market remained stable, with minor price fluctuations reflecting the natural ebb and flow of supply and demand. Overall, the European Tetrasodium EDTA market showed moderate price softness in first quarter of 2025 driven by seasonal demand patterns, cautious purchasing and consistent supply conditions.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Tetrasodium EDTA market in Q4 2024 showed a consistent decline, driven by excess supply and lackluster demand across key sectors. In October, prices dropped due to oversupply, with some production facilities operating at reduced capacity while others returned to full output. Price cuts by manufacturers failed to stimulate demand as inventories continued to rise. External factors, including falling crude oil prices, hurricane disruptions, and port strikes, further weighed on the market. Improved logistics costs allowed producers to lower prices, but demand remained weak, particularly in the healthcare sector, with buyers adopting more cautious purchasing strategies.
In November, the market briefly rebounded due to rising import costs from China and concerns over potential U.S. tariffs. Port congestion and higher shipping expenses contributed to the price increase, though logistical inefficiencies persisted.
By December, prices fell once more, driven by weak demand from sectors like pharmaceuticals and oversupply exacerbated by competition from Chinese imports. The market ended the year with high inventories and slow trading, as suppliers focused on clearing excess stock.
APAC
In Q4 2024, China’s Tetrasodium EDTA market experienced consistent downward pressure, mainly due to an oversupply and weak demand. In October, prices dropped sharply as a result of increased production, lower import volumes, and improved logistics, which led to market saturation. Although demand remained steady, it was insufficient to keep pace with the supply, putting downward pressure on prices.
In November, a further decline occurred as suppliers reduced inventories ahead of the holiday season, driving down export prices. While demand remained stable, aggressive inventory clearing and limited downstream capacity hindered any price recovery. Geopolitical factors, including potential new tariffs, further strained the market. Suppliers resorted to aggressive price cuts to manage high stock levels, while currency manipulation by China added to the pricing volatility.
With buyers cautious and limiting purchases, the market became a buyers' market, and conditions were unfavorable for sellers. Overall, Q4 2024 was marked by persistent price pressures, with little relief expected unless demand improves or production is reduced.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Germany's Tetrasodium EDTA market has seen consistent price declines due to weak demand, excess supply, and lower production costs. Cautious buying behavior, driven by importers focusing on essential purchases and controlling inventory, has kept prices under pressure. A favorable euro exchange rate has further exacerbated the situation, making imports more attractive.
Demand from downstream industries remains low, and trading activity has been minimal, contributing to an overall negative market sentiment. This lack of demand and the presence of surplus stock have forced producers to reduce prices and offer discounts in an attempt to manage inventory levels. With producers focused on destocking, price reductions and promotional strategies have deepened the market’s downturn.
Despite favorable production conditions, the market remains oversupplied, and demand from various sectors has been weak. This trend of excess inventory, limited procurement, and weak demand is likely to persist, maintaining downward pressure on prices throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In the third quarter of 2024, the North American Tetrasodium EDTA market experienced a notable decline in prices due to various significant factors. Abundant supply levels, coupled with weakened demand dynamics, influenced market conditions. Consumption patterns remained subdued both domestically and internationally, resulting in surplus inventory that pressured prices downward.
Trading activity diminished, further exacerbated by weak demand from neighboring regions and a cautious stance from end-users. The manufacturing sector also faced challenges, including decreased performance that negatively impacted input demand and supplier lead times. Despite attempts to stimulate trading, the market remained sluggish as suppliers contended with excess inventories and declining profitability.
However, prices increased toward the end of Q3, reflecting a shift in sentiment. US importers and suppliers are currently facing inventory shortages, worsened by China's Golden Week holiday, which began on October 1 and contributed to existing supply constraints. Sellers are capitalizing on rising demand, particularly from the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. This sustained interest from these sectors, combined with limited supply, has created a volatile market environment. Ultimately, the downward trend culminated in a final price of USD 2005/MT for Tetrasodium EDTA CFR New York. The pricing environment in the USA remains characterized by weak demand, oversupply, and cautious market dynamics.
APAC
In the third quarter of 2024, the APAC region experienced a significant decline in Tetrasodium EDTA prices, driven by several factors. The market faced downward pressure due to oversupply, weakened demand, and seasonal adjustments. Manufacturers implemented aggressive inventory reduction strategies to manage excess stock accumulated during peak production periods.
In China, the most notable price fluctuations aligned with global trends. In July, prices decreased as a stronger Chinese yuan diminished exporters' competitiveness, leading to increased domestic supply and reduced international and local demand. Seasonal manufacturing shutdowns exacerbated the oversupply situation, and the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) indicated challenges in the manufacturing sector, showing contraction amid subdued domestic demand and adverse weather conditions. August saw further significant price drops as manufacturers aimed to clear excess inventory from peak production. The demand side remained weak, with the manufacturing PMI continuing to signal contraction. Although the logistics sector showed growth, persistent issues in manufacturing, including extreme weather disruptions, negatively impacted market sentiment.
By September, prices rebounded slightly due to preemptive purchasing in anticipation of production resumption after August shutdowns. This uptick was supported by rising demand in the food manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, as companies aimed to secure supplies ahead of the festive season. Overall market conditions improved, with the PMI indicating stabilization. However, challenges persisted, such as reduced stock levels, shipping disruptions from severe weather, and rising input costs, which continued to pressure the supply chain in a competitive environment. By the end of the quarter, prices in China settled at USD 1,740/MT FOB Qingdao, reflecting a 3.16% average quarterly decrease. The market environment showed a consistent downward sentiment, with ongoing disruptions and plant shutdowns further influencing pricing dynamics.
Europe
In the third quarter of 2024, the Tetrasodium EDTA market in Europe experienced a notable decline in prices, particularly in Germany, which saw significant fluctuations. Several factors contributed to this downward trend. Lower production costs, driven by reduced energy expenses and stable crude oil prices, resulted in a surplus of supply in the region. This oversupply was further compounded by weakened demand in key end-use sectors, leading to a market imbalance.
To address excess inventories, companies engaged in destocking activities, intensifying the supply glut. The economic situation in Germany presented a mixed outlook, with challenges in the manufacturing sectors and signs of easing inflation. Concurrently, demand in critical end-use sectors remained subdued.
Faced with escalating storage costs and the risk of product degradation, companies began offloading their accumulated Tetrasodium EDTA inventories, contributing to the supply glut and prompting traders to liquidate their holdings to stabilize cash flow. Weak market sales led local producers to reduce production to manage potential profit stagnation and adjust to the supply-demand imbalance. Overall, the Tetrasodium EDTA pricing environment in Q3 2024 demonstrated a consistent downward trend, with prices recorded at USD 1,940 per metric ton, reflecting an average quarterly decline of 1.96%. This decline was influenced by a complex interplay of global and local factors.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The North American Tetrasodium EDTA market in Q2 2024 presents a compelling case study of supply chain vulnerabilities and market dynamics. The consistent price increase, culminating in a USD 2120/MT price, underscores the compound effects of global and regional factors on chemical commodities.
The interplay between supply constraints and demand pressures is particularly noteworthy. Drought-induced shipping disruptions highlight the growing impact of climate change on global trade, while plant shutdowns reveal the fragility of concentrated production networks. These issues, combined with escalating raw material costs, created a perfect storm for price inflation. The USA market’s 6% quarter-over-quarter price increase indicates an accelerating trend. This trajectory suggests that market participants struggled to adapt quickly to the changing conditions, potentially leading to inventory shortages and speculative behavior. The early onset of peak shipping season and labor disputes at key ports further complicate the picture, pointing to structural issues in the logistics sector that may require long-term solutions.
Overall, these factors not only drove up prices but also extended lead times, likely causing ripple effects throughout the supply chain. This scenario underscores the need for diversified sourcing strategies, improved forecasting methods, and investments in supply chain resilience. As climate-related disruptions become more frequent, industries reliant on Tetrasodium EDTA may need to reevaluate their procurement and inventory management practices to mitigate future volatility.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the APAC region saw a notable rise in Tetrasodium EDTA prices, driven by strong demand from downstream industries and tight supply chains. Rising production costs, influenced by higher energy prices and logistical expenses, further impacted the market. Supply disruptions due to maintenance shutdowns also contributed to the product's scarcity.
China, in particular, demonstrated significant price changes, reflecting broader regional trends. The country's market dynamics were influenced by robust demand from both domestic and international sectors, spurred by a strong economic rebound and strategic stockpiling by traders. Seasonal factors also played a role, with post-holiday production increases contributing to a steady rise in prices. The interplay between supply constraints and growing demand resulted in a consistent upward pricing trend.
Compared to Q1, Tetrasodium EDTA prices in China rose by 7%, indicating heightened market activity and the quarter ended with prices reaching USD 1920/MT FOB Qingdao, marking a positive pricing environment. This upward trend highlights strong market sentiment and the resilience of the Tetrasodium EDTA market amid supply and cost challenges.
Europe
During the entire second quarter of 2024, the European market for Tetrasodium EDTA experienced a significant upswing in prices, driven by multiple influential factors. Rising production costs in key manufacturing hubs and heightened operational expenditures for carriers due to increased fuel prices were primary contributors. Additionally, the market faced logistical disruptions, such as supply chain bottlenecks from the Panama Canal drought and port congestion in Asia, further exacerbated by political unrest, including the Houthis' campaign against Israel in Gaza.
These disruptions led to container shortages and surpluses, impacting the overall supply chain efficiency. Focusing on Germany, which saw the maximum price changes, the market showcased an overarching positive pricing environment. The regional inflation rate exceeded forecasts, reaching 2.8%, pushing businesses to pass on elevated costs to consumers. The consistent rise in prices was compounded by the depreciation of the US dollar, fostering an inflationary cycle.
Additionally, seasonal factors and an imbalance in supply-demand dynamics influenced the market, with suppliers seizing arbitrage opportunities due to insufficient inventories in exporting nations. The quarter-ending price for Tetrasodium EDTA in Germany settled at USD 2060/MT CFR Hamburg, marking a robust 4% increase from the previous quarter. Overall, the pricing environment for Tetrasodium EDTA in Europe during Q2 2024 was decidedly positive, characterized by a consistent upward trend driven by a confluence of economic, logistical, and geopolitical factors.
