October 2023 Witnesses a Surge in SLES Prices in the US and Asian Markets

In October 2023, the Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) prices in the United States experienced a 1% increase, primarily driven by heightened demand from various downstream sectors, particularly the personal care and surfactants industries. This surge in demand for SLES surpassed the available supply, leading to a significant price increase. The elevated costs of feedstocks Ethylene Oxide and Fatty Alcohol further supported the upward trajectory of SLES prices in the American market. The Asian market mirrored this trend, with SLES prices surging due to increased Ethylene Oxide costs and heightened demand, particularly from South Korea and China. However, the Indian market faced a downturn during this period.

During October 2023, there was a 1% price hike for SLES in the United States, which can be attributed to the significant rise in the cost of its feedstock Ethylene Oxide, which, in turn, is a consequence of the increasing prices of Ethylene and upstream Crude oil in the US. Another key feedstock, Fatty Alcohol, also experienced a price hike, resulting in elevated production costs for SLES. There has been sustained demand in various downstream sectors, including the surfactant industry, personal care products, household goods, and industrial applications, coupled with the increased production costs. Furthermore, data from FRED Economic Data indicates that the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose by 1% in October compared to the previous month, and this trend is expected to continue into November 2023. As per FRED data, inflation has also persisted, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 0.7% in September 2023.

The Asian SLES market witnessed a mixed trend in October 2023, as prices increased in China and South Korea while prices depreciated in India. The demand for the product from the surfactant industry this month amid the festive season has been high. However, the Indian market saw a decline due to ample stock availability in the domestic market, prompting traders to reduce prices to destock. Further, the feedstock Ethylene Oxide followed an upward price trajectory, supporting the price trend for SLES. However, another feedstock, Fatty Alcohol prices, showed a downshift due to decreasing upstream Palm oil prices. In October, Malaysian Palm oil concluded with a decline due to the impact of increased stockpiles in Malaysia and reduced imports of edible oil to India. However, losses were further impacted by declining demand from China.

According to ChemAnalyst, the price of SLES is anticipated to decline in November in the global market due to ample stock availability and subdued demand. The depreciating upstream Palm oil prices may also impact the price trajectory of SLES in the USA and Asian markets. The market is expected to rebound in January and December as the demand may surge along with an increase in the feedstock Ethylene Oxide and Fatty Alcohol prices, which may impose cost pressures on SLES production.