For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American chemical markets experienced mixed price trends across key commodities, influenced by supply disruptions, logistical challenges, and demand fluctuations. Several commodities faced bearish trends, including Cellulose Ether, which saw declining prices due to oversupply, weak exports, and bearish downstream sentiment despite temporary support from raw material shortages. Iron Oxide prices fell by 12% due to weak construction demand, logistical bottlenecks, and low-cost imports, while Quicklime declined as sluggish construction activity and cheaper imports from China pressured the market. Calcium Carbonate saw a 6% price drop amid supply surpluses, seasonal slowdowns, and hurricane-related logistical disruptions. Similarly, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices dropped by 8.9% due to high inventories and weak demand from the construction sector. Soda Ash fell by 4.5%, weighed down by oversupply and weak consumption in the glass and construction industries. Meanwhile, Petroleum Coke declined by 1% due to competitive fuel discounts and weaker post-election demand, though a brief rebound occurred in December. On the other hand, certain commodities exhibited stable to slightly bullish trends. Silica remained steady, with strong demand in November balancing a seasonal slowdown in December, while GGBFS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) prices held firm, supported by consistent infrastructure demand despite broader construction sector challenges. Fly Ash saw a modest 2% price increase, driven by fluctuating supply conditions and temporary port disruptions. Overall, Q4 2024 was characterized by weak demand across several commodities, compounded by logistical hurdles and economic uncertainties. While select materials like Silica, GGBFS, and Fly Ash showed resilience, most markets trended bearish heading into 2025.
Asia
In Q4 2024, the Asia-Pacific cement and concrete additives markets exhibited mixed price trends, influenced by supply fluctuations, demand uncertainties, and macroeconomic conditions. Cellulose Ether initially saw a 1% decline due to weak demand from coating industries but rebounded by 2.5% in the last two months as supply tightened and raw material costs increased. Iron Oxide faced a sharp 9% drop due to weak construction demand, economic uncertainties, and an oversupply exacerbated by slow exports. Quicklime experienced a volatile quarter, with prices declining by 1.4% in November amid weak construction demand but stabilizing in December as domestic consumption improved. Silica remained stable, rising by 3.6% in November before stabilizing in December, supported by steady industrial demand and a cautious recovery in China's construction sector. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) saw fluctuations, with prices rising by 2.4% in October due to stimulus-driven demand, falling by 2.3% in November, and stabilizing in December with a mild recovery in infrastructure projects. Petroleum Coke followed an upward trend, driven by strong post-holiday demand, supply shortages from typhoon-related disruptions, and renewed buying interest from China, India, and Türkiye. Calcium Carbonate exhibited a mixed trend, declining early in the quarter due to weak construction activity but stabilizing by December, supported by government stimulus. Sodium Lignosulphonate prices rose by 3.6%, supported by steady manufacturing activity, improved downstream demand, and positive trade with India. Fly Ash saw a 9% price increase due to early-quarter supply constraints and strong demand from infrastructure projects, though prices corrected later due to inventory liquidation and weakening cement sector procurement. Soda Ash declined throughout the quarter due to oversupply and weak demand from glass and photovoltaic sectors, stabilizing by December with balanced inventory management. Overall, Q4 2024 reflected a mix of bearish and stable trends across cement and concrete additives, with price movements driven by macroeconomic conditions, construction sector dynamics, and regional supply-demand fluctuations.
Europe
The European Cement and Concrete Additives market in Q4 2024 exhibited mixed pricing trends, largely influenced by subdued construction activity, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties. Cellulose Ether prices fluctuated throughout the quarter, experiencing a net decline due to ample supply, weak construction demand, and logistical challenges. Iron Oxide prices fell by 3%, pressured by low-cost imports, high borrowing costs, and sluggish demand, with only temporary stabilization in November. Quicklime saw a brief price rise in October, followed by a 1.26% decline in November as construction activity in Germany weakened significantly. Silica prices remained stable in October, increased by 3.6% in November due to selective construction demand, and stabilized again in December as broader economic conditions remained weak. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) experienced moderate fluctuations, with early-quarter gains driven by infrastructure projects, followed by a decline in November amid economic slowdowns and political instability, before stabilizing by year-end. Petroleum Coke prices dropped 1% due to competition from alternative fuels and weak global demand but rebounded in December following policy changes in China that boosted consumption. Calcium Carbonate prices initially rose on strong construction and industrial demand but declined toward the quarter’s end due to rising costs, economic uncertainty, and seasonal slowdowns, ending with a modest 0.6% increase. Sodium Lignosulphonate prices remained largely stable as weak construction activity in Germany and France limited price movement. Fly Ash prices rose 5% despite early-quarter weakness, as inventory accumulation and supply chain challenges influenced the market, though overall demand remained sluggish. Meanwhile, Soda Ash prices increased steadily, rising by 5.2% due to tight supply, rising production costs, and seasonal restocking demand, particularly from the glass and automotive industries. Overall, Q4 2024 was marked by weak construction demand, oversupply concerns, and cautious procurement strategies, with only selective commodities showing price resilience amid broader economic uncertainty.
