The global Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) market continues pessimistic during the last week of March 2025. Downward trends in feedstock prices and rising economic uncertainties were the major causes of the prevailing market situation. Purchasers have remained guarded in buying amid volatile economic conditions, leading to subdued procurement activity and further consolidating the prevailing bearish mood in the global SLES market.

In the Asian market, the SLES price witnessed a minor decline during the last week of March 2025, following the trend established in the earlier week with India, China and South Korea the most affected places. The falling price and healthy availability of key feedstock Palm Oil in the Asian market with enough imports coming in from Malaysia and Indonesia. Additionally, on the demand side purchasing activity for SLES remained slightly hindered.

The presence of alternative eco-friendly products has given consumers greater choices, possibly lowering the demand for SLES and helping drive its price decrease.  In addition, increasing economic uncertainties in certain markets have also lowered consumer confidence. Especially in the Korean market, inflation has further lowered consumer consumption in the region. According to the official statistics South Korea's consumer prices rose by 2.1% from a year earlier in March, after a 2.0% gain in February, indicating towards the persistent inflationary pressure within the region. However, in China, wider economic indicators suggest that China's economy in 2025 will show positive signs.  As per the data released from the National Bureau of Statistics higher than expected growth in retail sales and industrial production was observed, but its influence remained relatively constrained on the prevailing demand of some commodities like SLES keeping the overall market muted.

Similarly, in the European market, the prices of SLES declined slightly during the period under review. Surfactant and detergent sectors, the primary buyers of SLES, witnessed decreased buying activity amid elevated inventories and cautious buying sentiment. Moreover, consistent production levels by local manufacturers and steady imports maintained adequate availability, further putting a dampener on prices. Decreasing feedstock prices, specifically for ethylene oxide and palm oil, also added to the downward trend in prices. Unless demand picks up and raw material prices start to rise, SLES prices in Germany could come under further pressure in the near term.

As per ChemAnalyst the prices of SLES are expected to continue moving southwards in the forthcoming days. The prevailing macroeconomic challenges have resulted in cautious consumer spending and reduced industrial activity, thereby limiting the overall demand for SLES.