For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American personal care chemicals in Q4 2024 exhibited a diverse range of price trends, influenced by supply-demand imbalances, global trade disruptions, and broader macroeconomic factors. Several commodities experienced strong upward momentum due to supply constraints and robust downstream demand. Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates saw a significant price surge, driven by disruptions in global palm oil supply, strong growth in the U.S. personal care sector, and inflationary pressures. Glycerine prices climbed steadily throughout the quarter, fueled by low inventories, rising raw material costs, and increased demand from key industries such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and personal care. Melatonin recorded a 3.2% price increase, supported by sustained pharmaceutical and nutraceutical demand, improved logistics, and strategic pricing moves by suppliers. Meanwhile, Glyoxylic Acid experienced volatility but ended the quarter on an upward trend due to supply constraints caused by extreme weather events and force majeure incidents.
Some chemicals exhibited mixed or stable price movements. Zinc Oxide saw modest price gains, supported by rising feedstock costs and steady demand from the rubber, paints, and coatings industries, though high inventory levels tempered growth. Gluconic Acid maintained a mixed trend, with stable raw material costs balancing seasonal demand fluctuations, particularly in food processing and construction applications. Diethylene Glycol (DEG) followed a similar pattern, where inflationary pressures and supply constraints offset weak demand from the resin and coatings sectors.
Conversely, several commodities faced sustained downward price pressures due to weak demand, oversupply, and macroeconomic uncertainties. Gelatin prices declined throughout the quarter as economic concerns, reduced consumer confidence, and improved supply chain conditions pressured the market. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) struggled with consistently falling prices due to excess inventory, weak demand from pharmaceuticals and solvents, and aggressive pricing strategies from manufacturers. Oleic Acid saw a sharp decline, impacted by market saturation, reduced export orders, and heightened competition from Asian imports. Salicylic Acid prices steadily dropped as weaker pharmaceutical and healthcare sector demand, along with a stronger U.S. dollar and ample supply, created downward pressure. Acetaldehyde, Benzyl Chloride, and Triethanolamine also faced bearish trends, primarily due to sluggish demand, lower feedstock costs, and end-of-year destocking efforts.
Other commodities exhibited unique pricing behaviours. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) remained relatively stable, supported by strong demand from the animal feed, plastics, and cosmetics industries, despite fluctuations in crude oil prices. Biotin showed minor fluctuations, with a brief price increase in November reversed by a decline in December as supply constraints eased. Citric Acid and Coconut Oil witnessed consistent price gains due to strong demand, rising raw material costs, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Meanwhile, Fatty Acids and Fatty Alcohols experienced significant volatility, with palm oil shortages and rising costs leading to price spikes in October and November, followed by a correction toward the end of the quarter.
Overall, Q4 2024 underscored strong price volatility across the North American chemical market, with factors such as feedstock availability, global supply chain challenges, seasonal demand patterns, and broader economic conditions playing critical roles in shaping price fluctuations.
Asia
The APAC personal care chemicals in Q4 2024 exhibited significant volatility, with pricing trends diverging across different commodities due to supply-demand imbalances, geopolitical factors, and raw material cost fluctuations. Several chemicals faced declining prices, primarily due to subdued downstream consumption, high inventory levels, and seasonal slowdowns. Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates in China experienced a sharp 26% price drop in December, driven by weak global demand, rising inventories, and policy adjustments. Gelatin prices in China steadily declined throughout the quarter as both domestic and export demand weakened, further pressured by lower crude oil costs that reduced production expenses. Similarly, Gluconic Acid in India and China saw a price dip of approximately 3-4% due to sluggish demand across consumer industries and competitive regional supplies. Glyoxylic Acid in China also suffered from weaker exports following the European Union’s antidumping duties, exacerbating the bearish trend. Meanwhile, Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) in South Korea experienced price fluctuations but ended the quarter lower as pharmaceutical and solvent sector demand remained weak. Other notable price declines included Melatonin, Oleic Acid, and Salicylic Acid, all of which faced weak global demand, excess supply, and declining feedstock costs.
Conversely, some chemicals experienced notable price surges due to supply constraints, robust demand, and geopolitical influences. Fatty Alcohol prices in China rose steadily in October and November, fueled by high palm oil prices, strong Indian demand, and supply constraints in Malaysia and Indonesia, though a late-December correction occurred due to falling palm oil prices. Glycerine prices in Indonesia maintained an upward trajectory, supported by high domestic and international demand, rising crude oil prices, and tight global palm oil supply, with the country’s B40 biofuel mandate further straining availability. Zinc Oxide saw moderate but steady price growth (~2%), supported by stable demand from the rubber, paints, and cosmetics industries in India, with rising feedstock costs and logistical disruptions adding to price pressures.
Overall, Q4 2024 underscored the complex nature of the APAC chemical market, shaped by external trade pressures, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating raw material costs. While supply shortages and policy-driven demand pushed prices higher for select commodities, others faced bearish trends due to oversupply and weak end-user consumption. As the market transitions into Q1 2025, economic policies, geopolitical developments, and changes in feedstock costs will continue to play a pivotal role in determining pricing trends and market dynamics.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the European personal care chemicals market exhibited a mix of upward and downward price trends, shaped by fluctuations in supply, demand, and broader economic factors. Several chemicals faced price declines, particularly in regions like Spain and Belgium. For example, acetaldehyde in Spain saw a drop due to sluggish downstream demand, while benzyl chloride in Belgium faced consistent downward pressure amid low agrochemical demand and oversupply. Similarly, citric acid in Belgium was weighed down by oversupply and inflationary pressures, leading to inventory destocking. Diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethanolamine (TEA) also recorded price declines as the construction and resin sectors remained weak. Demand for cellulose ether fell due to limited construction activity, while BHT experienced moderate price increases but remained largely stable.
Conversely, some chemical commodities saw price increases due to constrained supply and higher production costs. Fatty acids, for example, surged throughout the quarter, driven by palm oil shortages linked to reduced Malaysian production and shifts in Indonesian biodiesel policies. Coconut oil prices also climbed as reduced copra yields and rising freight costs added upward pressure. Biotin initially surged due to supply chain issues but later saw a decline as demand weakened. Other products such as glycerine, glyoxylic acid, and melatonin saw similar upward trends, driven by factors like increased demand, regulatory shifts, and supply constraints.
The quarter also saw mixed or stable trends in certain markets. Zinc oxide, for instance, stabilized amid steady demand from the rubber and paints sectors, although a slowdown in automotive and construction demand tempered growth. Meanwhile, gluconic acid prices remained volatile, influenced by seasonal fluctuations and logistical disruptions.
In contrast, some commodities experienced downward pressure, particularly isopropyl alcohol (IPA), gelatin, oleic acid, and salicylic acid. IPA prices fell sharply due to oversupply and weak global demand, while gelatin prices dropped steadily in response to weaker demand from food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors. Oleic acid also saw persistent price declines due to an ongoing supply glut, and salicylic acid prices fell as raw material costs decreased, compounded by declining demand from healthcare and cosmetics sectors.
Overall, Q4 2024 was a period of volatility in the European chemical market, characterized by mixed pricing trends across various commodities. Factors such as regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty played a significant role in shaping market conditions. Looking ahead to 2025, industry recovery will likely depend on the performance of key sectors such as construction, stability in raw material prices, and broader economic conditions across the Eurozone.
