For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Triethanolamine Price Index rose by 8.0% quarter-over-quarter, driven by restocking demand.
• The average Triethanolamine price for the quarter was approximately USD 1039.00/MT, FOB Texas benchmark widely.
• Triethanolamine Spot Price remained mixed as balanced inventories capped upward moves in the Price Index.
• Triethanolamine Production Cost Trend showed stable ethylene oxide but rising ammonia, constraining producer margin recovery.
• Triethanolamine Demand Outlook remains subdued domestically due to weak construction spending, while exports provided support.
• Triethanolamine Price Forecast anticipates modest weakening as inventories remain ample and buying sentiment stays cautious.
• High inventories and steady plant run-rates pressured the Price Index despite export flows aiding absorption.
• Logistics disruptions constrained inland deliveries, but port operations largely efficient, keeping spot market liquidity intact.
Why did the price of Triethanolamine change in September 2025 in North America?
• Steady ethylene oxide and ammonia supplies supported production, keeping availability ample and pricing pressure contained.
• Weak construction spending and cautious industrial procurement subdued demand, leading distributors to delay purchases further.
• Improved export flows absorbed volumes, while CPKC rail delays inflated inland inventories and disrupted deliveries.
APAC
• In Malaysia, the Triethanolamine Price Index rose by 5.01% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger downstream offtake and feedstock pressure.
• The average Triethanolamine price for the quarter was approximately USD 886.67/MT, based on FOB Klang assessments.
• Triethanolamine Spot Price volatility remained modest as buyers delayed purchases amid uncertainty and tight financing conditions.
• Triethanolamine Price Forecast indicates slight downside risk due to sustained inventories and cautious regional buying patterns.
• Triethanolamine Production Cost Trend stayed flat as ethylene oxide and imported ammonia costs remained unchanged.
• Triethanolamine Demand Outlook reflects steady construction and personal care consumption supporting moderate offtake; agrochemicals subdued.
• Triethanolamine Price Index movements were influenced by Port Klang logistics, ringgit fluctuations and export patterns.
• High domestic utilisation, comfortable inventories and continuous BASF PETRONAS operations weighed on near-term bullish momentum.
Why did the price of Triethanolamine change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Stable feedstock costs and steady production kept costs contained, reducing upward pressure on domestic prices.
• Export demand fluctuations and cautious regional buying limited lifting, modestly increasing downward pressure in September.
• Port Klang congestion, MYR/USD movements and financing constraints affected logistics costs and buyer purchasing behaviour.
Europe
• In France, the Triethanolamine Price Index fell by 4.5% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting sustained surplus and subdued demand.
• The average Triethanolamine price for the quarter was approximately USD 1315.33/MT, per FD Lyon assessments.
• Persistent port congestion and import delays tightened availability, pressuring Triethanolamine Spot Price and pushing offers.
• Lower ethylene oxide costs eased the Triethanolamine Production Cost Trend, cutting producer margin pressure regionally.
• High inventories and summer slowdowns weakened the Triethanolamine Demand Outlook, limiting spot buying and renewals.
• Domestic plants ran at normal rates while intermittent outages influenced the Triethanolamine Price Index, and exports.
• Short-term Triethanolamine Price Forecast suggests modest firmer values as construction resumes and inventories normalise across France.
• Trader destinations and export demand fluctuations drove spot arbitrage, impacting French liquidity and Triethanolamine market sentiment.
Why did the price of Triethanolamine change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Resurgent construction demand in September increased immediate offtake, depleting merchant inventories and tightening spot availability.
• Persistent logistical constraints at Northern European ports delayed imports, constraining supply despite healthy producer output.
• Easing ethylene oxide costs reduced production pressure, but high inventories and weak demand capped gains.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, the Triethanolamine Price Index fell by 18.47% quarter-over-quarter, driven by ample inventories.
• The average Triethanolamine price for the quarter was approximately USD 921.33/MT, FOB Jeddah assessed levels.
• Triethanolamine Spot Price softened as ample local stocks and muted export enquiries reduced buying interest.
• Triethanolamine Production Cost Trend stayed subdued as ethylene oxide and ammonia costs remained largely unchanged.
• Triethanolamine Demand Outlook points to seasonal construction weakness while detergent sector demand provides limited offset.
• Triethanolamine Price Forecast expects short-term range-bound movement as inventories and export flows balance regional supply.
• Triethanolamine Price Index weakness reflected high plant utilizations, comfortable stocks and lower distributor procurement urgency.
• Export softness and smoother logistics reduced urgency, supporting softer Price Index readings across Triethanolamine markets.
Why did the price of Triethanolamine change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Seasonal construction lull reduced domestic cement-admixture offtake, significantly weakening regional demand and pressuring prices downward.
• High inventories across producers lowered procurement urgency, amplifying bearish sentiment despite stable production costs recently.
• Improved logistics and uninterrupted feedstock flows removed bottlenecks, easing upward cost pressure on finished Triethanolamine.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Triethanolamine Price Index in the United States declined by 10.7% in Q2 2025. The price weakness was led by subdued demand from downstream sectors and consistent domestic supply levels.
• Domestic production remained stable throughout the quarter, with major players like Dow and Huntsman maintaining regular operating rates. Inventories stayed ample, and no major supply disruptions were reported. Feedstock ethylene oxide prices remained steady, offering no upward cost pressure.
• Demand from construction coatings and personal care sectors was sluggish. Market participants adopted a cautious procurement approach, favoring inventory optimization. Export interest also declined, as international competitiveness weakened against Asian suppliers.
• Competitive import offers from Asia added to downward pricing pressure. Even during brief periods of firm export activity in early April, the overall tone remained bearish due to broader economic caution.
• The U.S. TEA market remained under consistent pressure in Q2 due to weak demand and sufficient supply, driving a continuous fall in the Triethanolamine Price Index across the quarter.
Why did the Triethanolamine price change in July 2025 in North America?
• In July 2025, Triethanolamine prices in the U.S. remained stable as buyers showed limited interest in new transactions. Also, feedstock ethylene oxide costs remained stable, and overall demand remained soft. Subdued construction activity and cautious downstream buying behavior prevented any significant price shift.
Europe
• In Germany, the Triethanolamine Price Index dropped by 8.2% during Q2 2025, primarily due to sustained demand weakness and oversupply conditions.
• European producers operated at reduced utilization rates while incoming shipments from the U.S. and the Middle East ensured sufficient availability. Ethylene oxide costs remained largely unchanged, minimizing cost-driven upward pressure.
• Downstream sectors like personal care and construction showed low procurement activity. The eurozone’s tepid economic performance further restrained buyer sentiment, and export interest from neighboring markets remained soft.
• Port congestion in Hamburg briefly tightened supply mid-quarter, offering limited price support. However, it was not enough to shift the overall bearish momentum caused by ample inventories and market competition.
• The Triethanolamine Price Index in Europe consistently declined throughout Q2 2025, with pricing trends shaped by weak industrial demand, sufficient supply, and macroeconomic stagnation.
Why did the Triethanolamine price change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In July, TEA prices in Europe showed a slight uptick, largely due to reduced port activity and marginal feedstock cost increases. However, the rise was limited as downstream demand stayed largely unresponsive amid weak economic indicators.
Asia Pacific (APAC)
• In Malaysia, the Triethanolamine Price Index increased by 17.9% in Q2 2025, supported by rising export activity, tightening local supply, and escalating production costs.
• Malaysian producers operated at normal run rates, but rising exports to China, India, and South Korea reduced local availability. A brief maintenance shutdown at Petronas Chemicals and elevated freight and energy costs further strained domestic supply.
• Strong downstream demand from personal care, coatings, and cement additive sectors kept offtake firm. Export demand remained robust, particularly from China, driven by inventory restocking and anticipation of supply disruptions.
• A weakening ringgit added to imported inflation, amplifying cost pressure. Despite geopolitical risks in the region, Malaysian producers maintained a bullish pricing strategy throughout the quarter.
• The TEA market in APAC, led by Malaysia, remained on an upward trajectory in Q2 2025, driven by healthy demand and tight availability.
Why did the Triethanolamine price change in July 2025 in APAC?
• In July, TEA prices in APAC began to soften. Regional demand cooled due to buyer caution amid global uncertainties, including the Israel-Iran geopolitical tensions. Despite rising upstream costs, low market activity and weak trading volumes capped any further increase.
Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• The Triethanolamine Price Index in Saudi Arabia fell by 4.0% in Q2 2025, as improved supply and easing feedstock costs led to lower production costs.
• Steady production levels and no major operational outages helped ensure a consistent supply. Falling ammonia prices helped reduce production costs, giving sellers room for price reductions.
• Domestic demand from construction and cleaning sectors remained tepid. Export volumes to Africa and South Asia held steady, but were not strong enough to push prices higher.
• The market was largely balanced but tilted bearish as buyers were reluctant to restock aggressively. Lack of cost-push support and neutral demand outlook weighed on sentiment.
• MEA TEA markets were marked by a mildly bearish tone during Q2 2025, reflecting subdued demand and stable yet ample supply.
Why did the price change in July 2025 in MEA?
• In July, TEA prices remained mostly unchanged in MEA. A balanced supply-demand equation and minimal cost fluctuations kept the Triethanolamine Price Index stable across the region.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Triethanolamine prices in North America exhibited a consistent downward trajectory throughout the first quarter of 2025, largely impacted by weak demand fundamentals and stable supply. A 1.5% price drop recorded in the final week of January set the tone for the quarter, with prices assessed at USD 1301/MT, FOB Texas. In the construction, personal care, and coatings sectors, key downstream consumers remained subdued, constrained by a slowdown in infrastructure projects and reduced industrial activity across the country.
Domestic production levels remained steady, keeping supply ample and further intensifying market pressure. Additionally, growing competition from lower-cost Asian imports encouraged buyers to explore alternative sourcing, reinforcing the downward pricing trend. Heightened uncertainty around potential trade policy shifts and broader economic caution also discouraged bulk procurement activity.
Despite occasional fluctuations, the market remained broadly bearish through March, with no substantial improvement in end-use consumption or cost-side support. Unless significant changes occur in demand dynamics or trade flows, Triethanolamine prices are expected to stay under pressure moving into the next quarter.
Asia
Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in Asia followed an overall declining trajectory in Q1 2025, pressured by weak demand fundamentals and ample supply. Starting in January, prices fell steadily amid sluggish downstream consumption, especially from the construction and personal care sectors. The seasonal slowdown during the Lunar New Year and subdued international demand compounded bearish market sentiment. By mid-February, prices dropped, driven by lower feedstock costs and declining freight rates, before reaching a quarterly low of USD 945/MT in mid-March. Although late March saw a temporary rebound due to tightened supply from reduced imports and seasonal demand recovery, it wasn't sufficient to offset the broader quarterly softness. Inventory overhang, cautious procurement strategies, and weak cement and cosmetics sector activity contributed to price pressure throughout most of the quarter. Despite a short-lived uptick in late March 2025, prices ended the quarter lower than they began, with March closing at USD 975/MT. In summary, Q1 2025 marked a bearish quarter for TEA prices in China, reflecting oversupply conditions and a delayed rebound in downstream demand across key consumer sectors.
Europe
Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in the European market registered an overall declining trend throughout Q1 2025, driven by persistently weak demand across key end-use sectors and ample supply. In January, TEA prices slid due to sluggish offtake from the personal care and cement industries, despite stable feedstock Ethylene Oxide costs. This trend deepened in February as prices fell by over 4% toward month-end, weighed down by oversupply, weak industrial sentiment, and subdued construction activity across the region. Although March witnessed a temporary rebound mid-month amid restocking and tight availability, the overall monthly trend remained bearish as prices resumed their decline by the end of March. Cautious procurement strategies, high inventory levels, and steady domestic production constrained any sustained price recovery. By the end of Q1, prices dropped from USD 1550/MT in early January to USD 1435/MT by late March, reflecting a quarterly decline of approximately 7.4%. Unless significant improvement is seen in construction activity or downstream demand from the personal care and cleaning sectors, the European TEA market is expected to face continued pressure into Q2.
Middle East Asia
Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in Middle East Asia exhibited a gradual downward trend during Q1 2025, reflecting weak export momentum and lacklustre demand from downstream sectors. After opening the quarter at USD 1112/MT in early January, prices fell steadily amid persistent oversupply, tepid international inquiries, and subdued procurement from end-use industries such as detergents, coatings, and cement additives. A notable price drop of 4.6% in late January set the tone for the quarter, followed by further declines through February driven by Ramadan-induced demand softening and high inventory levels. While early March saw price stabilization supported by seasonal demand from construction and personal care sectors, overall sentiment remained cautious. Suppliers adjusted production and pricing strategies in response to narrowing margins and limited offtake. Despite modest restocking activity and improved buyer sentiment in late March, the quarterly average reflected a net decline in pricing. Overall, TEA prices in Saudi Arabia fell by nearly 10% over Q1 2025, with quarterly dynamics shaped by oversupply, muted export activity, and sporadic domestic demand recovery.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Triethanolamine prices in the U.S. exhibited a gradual downward trend, influenced by subdued demand and eased manufacturing costs. Prices declined by 1.1% in early November, reflecting lower feedstock Ethylene Oxide prices and reduced upstream crude oil costs. Stagnant production costs and weaker demand from the construction sector, coupled with gradual restocking activities, contributed to the softening market. Supply chain concerns, including port congestion at East and Gulf Coast terminals and the potential for tariff hikes, added to logistical uncertainties, though these factors had limited immediate price impact.
Demand dynamics were primarily affected by a slowing construction sector, where material shortages and labor constraints delayed projects. Public infrastructure investments offered some support; however, a weak housing market and cautious procurement amid political uncertainty limited overall consumption. Additionally, industrial activity softened due to seasonal slowdowns and inventory management strategies.
By December, U.S. manufacturers faced thin margins due to subdued late-year demand, while global supply chain inefficiencies persisted. Despite these challenges, freight rate fluctuations had minimal impact on prices, and stable feedstock availability ensured adequate supply. Overall, the Triethanolamine market closed the quarter under downward price pressure, shaped by a mix of demand weakness, cost stability, and supply chain disruptions.
Asia
In Q4 2024, Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in Asia declined steadily, driven by oversupply and weak downstream demand. High operating rates and increased U.S. imports exacerbated inventory buildup while declining feedstock Ethylene Oxide and crude oil prices reduced production costs but failed to stimulate market recovery. The construction sector, a key consumer, showed mixed performance despite government stimulus efforts in China, as seasonal slowdowns in northern regions and limited new projects in the south dampened demand. Buyers adopted cautious procurement strategies, focusing on essential purchases due to uncertainty in market recovery. Several production facilities across Asia temporarily halted operations amid minimal trading activity and unsold stock. Although China’s real estate sector saw short-term improvement, broader demand remained below pre-slowdown levels, contributing to a bearish sentiment. Weak downstream consumption from sectors like concrete production and surfactants further limited price support. The market closed the quarter with a pessimistic outlook, with persistent oversupply and sluggish demand likely to continue into early 2025, pending stronger fiscal measures or significant downstream recovery.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in Europe exhibited a consistent decline, driven by weak demand and oversupply across key markets like Germany and France. The construction sector, a major downstream consumer, faced significant challenges, with reduced activity, limited new orders, and high material costs dampening TEA demand for cement grinding aids and coatings. The Eurozone construction PMI highlighted persistent contraction, with sluggish investment and staffing reductions further exacerbating the downturn. Meanwhile, personal care sectors also witnessed reduced consumption, as inflation constrained consumer spending on cosmetics and skincare products. On the supply side, stable upstream Ethylene Oxide prices helped maintain consistent production, while increased imports from the U.S. contributed to oversupply. Seasonal factors, cautious procurement, and lean inventory practices among buyers added downward pressure on prices. Freight rate fluctuations, particularly rising costs from Asia in December due to pre-Lunar New Year shipping demand, had minimal impact on European supply chains. By the quarter’s end, TEA prices had dropped by approximately 5% in major markets, reflecting subdued economic sentiment and bearish market fundamentals. A recovery is anticipated by mid-2025, contingent on government measures to stimulate construction and industrial activity.
Middle East and Africa
In Q4 2024, Triethanolamine (TEA) prices in Saudi Arabia followed a downward trend, driven by a combination of supply-demand imbalances and economic factors. The construction sector, fueled by Vision 2030 initiatives such as the Jeddah Tower, supported demand. However, labor shortages and global inflation tempered this growth. Lower crude oil prices in December, reduced production costs, further pressuring TEA prices. Regional manufacturers focused on destocking strategies, leveraging robust port operations at Yanbu and Al Jubail to manage surplus inventories. Despite improved logistics and increased container traffic, geopolitical disruptions in the Red Sea caused temporary bottlenecks, inflating shipping costs and complicating supply chains. Demand in the construction sector remained stable but subdued due to inflation and elevated costs in housing and utilities. Broader economic uncertainties, including fluctuating oil revenues and U.S. fiscal policies, dampened market confidence. Export activity to Asia declined as reduced offers and stable local consumption created a cautious procurement environment. By December, TEA prices had fallen marginally, reflecting oversupply and limited market momentum. The outlook for 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, with recovery expected as Vision 2030 projects gain momentum and logistical challenges stabilize.
