Entering 2024, US Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Prices Plummet Amid Tepid Terminal Demand
- 11-Jan-2024 5:54 PM
- Journalist: Yage Kwon
Texas, USA: Entering 2024, the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates have been observed to be on the lower end in the US market. Average demand from the downstream Personal Care industries has sparked Nonylphenol ethoxylates weak market concerns. Throughout the last year, successive interest rate hikes amidst inflationary pressures and the global economic slowdown have significantly weighed on the demand dynamics of key raw materials employed in the personal care sector, such as Nonylphenol ethoxylates.
The ChemAnalyst database has demonstrated that the prices of Nonylphenol ethoxylates have dropped by approximately 10-15 USD per ton on an FOB basis. Limited procurement from other industries has also played a role in keeping market sentiments bearish. Industries that use Nonylphenol ethoxylates in their manufacturing processes, such as textiles, agrochemicals, and industrial cleaning, have not shown a substantial increase in their procurement of Nonylphenol ethoxylates. This has resulted in a situation where the supply in the market has outpaced the demand, leading to lower prices. The lower prices have made it challenging for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates suppliers to maintain profitability, leading to a cautious approach in terms of production and inventory management. However, market participants have stated that while the market has been progressively recovering after the Christmas season, it would take some time for demand from downstream Personal Care industries to increase and foster market sentiments for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates.
Furthermore, on the input energy front, oil prices fell nearly a dollar a barrel this week after a jump in U.S. crude stockpiles developed worries about demand in the largest oil market. The market reversed course after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a surprise build in crude oil stockpiles and larger-than-expected jumps in the storage of gasoline and distillates. The decline in crude oil prices has further prompted the manufacturing costs of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates to remain bearish in the US markets.
According to ChemAnalyst, the prices of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates are expected to progress in the southward direction in the US markets. Market analysts are closely watching for any signs of a shift in demand dynamics that could impact prices. Factors such as changes in consumer behavior, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic trends could all influence the demand for Nonylphenol ethoxylates in the coming months. Any significant changes in these areas could potentially lead to a shift in market sentiments and prices. Nonylphenol ethoxylates Market players are closely monitoring these trends and are prepared to adjust their strategies based on any shifts in demand dynamics.