In January 2025, the polyoxymethylene (POM) market experienced an overall stable yet downward-leaning price trend across major regions, reflecting subdued demand and balanced supply fundamentals. Market participants noted that prices have been pressured by seasonal factors, economic uncertainties, and competitive dynamics. Seasonal influences—such as harsh winter weather in the U.S. and a festive slowdown in China—have further dampened POM demand. Despite occasional production and logistical disruptions, overall market equilibrium has been maintained, resulting in minimal price volatility on a month-to-month basis.

In the United States, POM prices continued to hover on the lower end of the spectrum, influenced by a weak market sentiment and stable feedstock costs for formaldehyde. Downstream activity, particularly in the construction sector, was significantly muted due to extreme winter conditions, as colder temperatures, snowfall, and icy conditions delayed on-site work and curtailed overall productivity. Both residential and non-residential projects that rely heavily on outdoor operations were adversely affected, thereby limiting overall demand. Local manufacturers, facing intense competition from Chinese POM imports offered at aggressive price points, adjusted their quotations downward. Although the Winter Storm Enzo disrupted supply chains by causing temporary plant shutdowns and port closures, these supply interruptions were effectively offset by the sluggish demand, preventing any marked price spikes in the domestic market for POM.

In China, the POM market remained stable to weak during January, with muted demand as the Lunar New Year holidays approached. Manufacturers scaled back their procurement to avoid building up excessive inventories during the festive period, contributing to a generally quieter market atmosphere. Production was deliberately maintained at low-load levels to manage supply efficiently, and transactional volumes were limited amid cautious buying behaviour. Downstream sectors, notably construction, also exhibited sluggish performance due to both seasonal and economic factors. Market participants have been closely monitoring potential shifts in U.S. policies that could affect trade dynamics for POM, particularly concerning tariff adjustments on Chinese exports, which has added an extra layer of uncertainty to the market. Consequently, the overall pricing in China remained under pressure, reflecting both seasonal trends and anticipation of future policy impacts.

Looking ahead, while short-term conditions remain influenced by seasonal challenges and geopolitical uncertainties, medium-term prospects appear cautiously optimistic. In the U.S., further winter-related disruptions and logistical bottlenecks may recur; however, ongoing weak demand for POM is expected to maintain price stability. In China, market participants anticipate a rebound in activity post-holiday, with plans to expand construction operations driving increased POM demand. This anticipated recovery in the construction sector, coupled with gradual normalization of production and procurement processes, could alleviate the current pricing pressure on POM. Overall, market stakeholders are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, with any significant price shifts dependent on improvements in economic sentiment and resolution of trade policy uncertainties.