For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
Throughout Q4 2024, the U.S. 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market maintained a bearish sentiment which can be attributed to the declining production costs due to a decrease in the prices for feedstocks 2-ethylhexanol and acrylic acid. Furthermore, declining demand from key downstream sectors, such as Coating and Construction, remained the primary factor driving this downturn. Market bearishness was further challenged by external factors, including Hurricane Milton, which disrupted ongoing construction projects, and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike that began on October 1st, causing significant supply chain interruptions. The strike, and its effect on major ports, compounded existing supply chain issues, raising economic concerns.
Despite modest growth in downstream sector performance towards November, it was insufficient to uplift the overall market sentiment. Business confidence declined, and new orders continued to decrease while existing inventory levels were adequate to meet the subdued demand.
As a result, market participants maintained this cautious approach. The Federal Reserve's interest rate cut aimed to boost demand, but uncertainties surrounding future trade policies and economic stability, especially following Donald Trump’s presidential victory, continued to influence the bearish outlook for the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market.
APAC
Throughout Q4 2024, the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market in China showcased bearish sentiments. The market experienced fluctuations in production costs as feedstock acrylic acid continued to witness bullishness while 2-ethylhexanol witnessed a declining trend. Despite government efforts to bolster economic growth and support the struggling downstream Coating and Construction sectors, these measures were insufficient to address broader economic challenges. The market was characterized by subdued demand and sufficient supply. However, the market faced disruptions from logistical challenges and fluctuating demand dynamics. Notably, there was a slight surge in demand following the Golden Week holiday, leading to a slight price hike and market activity. Yet, towards the later weeks, stable prices returned due to persistent weak demand from the downstream sectors. Government efforts to stabilize the real estate sector and initiatives aimed at reducing home purchase costs provided some support. Nevertheless, inventory levels continued to meet subdued demand, resulting in a cautious market sentiment. The narrowing spread between feedstocks and the final product indicated sustained bearishness. Ultimately, the market reflected a balanced yet cautious approach from participants, navigating through economic uncertainties and varying demand conditions.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the European 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market remained bearish due to declining production costs and weak demand from the downstream Coating and Construction sectors. A key factor was the decrease in feedstock acrylic acid, and 2-ethylhexanol prices, which reduced manufacturing expenses. The European construction industry faced ongoing challenges, with subdued activity and weak demand for construction materials. The German construction sector experienced a sharp decline in new orders for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate, growing pessimism, and significant job cuts, further reducing demand for construction-related materials. Consumer sentiment reflected a lack of confidence, leading to lower purchasing activity. Despite price reductions, the market remained bearish due to eroded consumer confidence. The European Central Bank cut interest rates to counter weakening inflation, but the market pressure persisted. The market remained bearish with lower quotations, reflecting subdued market activities and lackluster demand trends. Business confidence in Germany fell, influenced by government changes and the threat of trade tariffs, while rail freight disruptions exacerbated market conditions.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American region witnessed a downturn in the pricing of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate, with the USA experiencing the most notable price changes. The quarter unfolded amidst a challenging market landscape characterized by multiple factors influencing the decline in prices. The primary drivers of this decreasing trend included reduced demand from the Coating and Construction sectors, leading to surplus inventory levels and muted consumption. Additionally, a decrease in the production costs due to declined feedstock prices of 2-Ethylhexanol and acrylic acid further contributed to the downward pressure on market prices.
The USA, in particular, experienced a consistent negative correlation in price changes throughout the quarter, reflecting a bearish sentiment. Due to the declining production cost of the commodity, the market sentiment remained subdued due to the lackluster demand and surplus inventory levels in the region.
Compared to the same quarter last year, the pricing environment for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate remained unchanged, indicating a stagnant market scenario. However, there was a notable decrease of 1% from the previous quarter in 2024, highlighting the gradual decline in prices. The second half of the quarter witnessed a further decline of 1% in prices, emphasizing the sustained negative trend.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market in the APAC region experienced a significant price decline, driven by multiple factors. Supply chain disruptions, particularly in logistics and transportation, played a critical role in this downward trend. Additionally, reduced demand from downstream industries such as Coating and Construction further exacerbated the negative pricing environment. Singapore experienced the most pronounced price changes, where market dynamics were significantly affected by fluctuations in production costs, especially within the Acrylic Acid and 2-ethyl hexanol markets. The quarter highlighted a direct correlation between lower demand and declining prices, underscoring the market's sensitivity to demand-supply dynamics. Overall, the market reflected a notable -9% decrease from the previous quarter, maintaining a consistent downward trajectory. A comparison between the first and second halves of the quarter indicated a -6% decline in Singapore, reinforcing the prevailing negative sentiment in the pricing landscape and signaling challenges for stakeholders in the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Europe region experienced a significant rise in 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate prices, with Germany noting the most pronounced price changes. Several factors contributed to this upward trend. Despite a decrease in production costs driven by bearish feedstock markets, the overall market displayed a bullish sentiment. The widening spread between 2-ethyl hexanol, acrylic acid, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate further indicated market optimism. In Germany, stable demand from construction sectors, even amid a sluggish housing market, helped sustain price stability. While feedstock prices showed a slight downward trend, the balance between supply and demand kept prices steady. Notably, there was a 3% increase compared to the same quarter last year and a 1% rise within the quarter, illustrating a consistent upward trajectory. The quarter's conclusion reflected a positive pricing environment, demonstrating resilience in the face of economic uncertainties and market challenges, indicating strong underlying demand for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in the region.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American market for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate generally exhibited a stable pricing environment, primarily influenced by steady feedstock costs and balanced supply-demand dynamics. The prices for Acrylic Acid and 2-ethyl hexanol, key feedstocks, remained unchanged, ensuring that production costs did not fluctuate significantly. This stability was bolstered by ample inventory levels that satisfactorily met the moderate demand from downstream sectors, principally the Paint and Coating industries.
Focusing specifically on the USA, the market experienced the most pronounced price movements. Overall trends demonstrated a stable scenario, influenced by seasonality where Q2 typically sees increased activity in the construction sector, thus driving demand. Despite this, the correlation in price changes remained minimal, indicating a stable market sentiment. Prices remained consistent between the first and second halves of the quarter, further supporting an equilibrium in market forces. From a year-over-year perspective, Q2 2024 saw a modest 2% increase in prices, reflecting a stable but slightly positive trend. Compared to the previous quarter, prices rose by 3%, signaling steady demand improvements and manageable supply chain conditions. The stable sentiment was further cemented with the quarter-ending price for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate being USD 1665/MT DEL Louisiana, underscoring the equilibrium in the market.
In conclusion, the pricing environment for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in North America, particularly in the USA, has been stable throughout Q2 2024. This stability, driven by balanced market dynamics and steady feedstock prices, indicates a neutral to positive market sentiment, with no significant disruptions anticipated in the near term.
APAC
In Q2 2024, 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate pricing in the APAC region has predominantly exhibited stable trends. The quarter was characterized by steady production costs due to unchanged prices of feedstocks like Acrylic Acid and 2-ethyl hexanol. Market stability was further reinforced by consistent demand from downstream sectors such as Construction, Paint, and Coating, which matched the ample inventory levels maintained by market participants. Additionally, strategic procurement activities by buyers, opting for on-demand instead of bulk purchases, sustained price equilibrium. Focusing on China, which experienced significant price fluctuations, the market exhibited a -4% decline from the same quarter last year and an -8% decrease from the previous quarter in 2024. Despite these declines, the first and second halves of the quarter saw a 0% price change, indicating a balanced pricing environment. Seasonal factors such as the Dragon Boat Festival initially suggested potential price increases, however, sufficient inventory levels mitigated any substantial price hikes. The correlation between upstream Acrylic Acid and 2-ethylhexyl Acrylate remained stable, contributing to a consistent price environment. The quarter-ending price for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in China was USD 1500/MT FOB Qingdao, reflecting a stable sentiment in the pricing environment. This stability, despite earlier declines, underscores the market's resilience due to effective supply chain management and balanced supply-demand dynamics. Consequently, the overall pricing environment remains stable, with no significant positive or negative shifts observed.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the European market for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate experienced a mixed market trend. During the first month of the second quarter, the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate experienced a bullish market scenario due to a surge in the production cost of the commodity affected by the increased prices of the feedstocks 2-Ethylhexanol and Acrylic Acid. Furthermore, the demand from the downstream Coating and Construction sectors inclined as well, contributing to the bullish market scenario. However, during the second half of Q2, the market showcased a slight declining pattern. The most significant price changes were observed in Germany. The market was predominantly influenced by a contraction in the construction sector, which served as a primary consumer of 2-ethylhexyl Acrylate within paints and coatings. The German construction industry faced stagnation due to broader economic uncertainties, further compounded by labor strikes and rising costs of raw materials. In Germany, elevated energy costs, inflationary pressures, and subdued demand from the downstream construction sector exacerbated the market's bearish sentiment. Seasonal factors also played a role, with reduced construction activities traditionally seen during this quarter, further weakening demand. Consequently, the pricing environment has been predominantly negative, reflecting a broader economic malaise and lower consumer confidence across related sectors. From the previous quarter of 2024, prices witnessed a slight increase of 2%, indicating the persistence of these adverse conditions. Notably, the comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a marginal -1% decline, underscoring the sustained downward pressure on prices. The quarter ended with the price of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate settling at USD 1760/MT (FD-Hamburg), a clear indicator of the challenging market conditions.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
In Q1 2024, the pricing environment for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in North America showcased a bullish market scenario in the US market. The overall trend for the quarter was influenced by various factors, including the supply-demand dynamics, feedstock prices, and market activity in the downstream sectors.
In the North American region, the prices of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate experienced an incline in their trend as compared to the previous quarter. This upward trend was primarily driven by strong demand from the downstream Paint and Coating sectors, as well as the increased consumption of existing inventories.
In the US market, prices of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate saw a slight increase of 1.04% in February 2024. This upward trend was mainly driven by higher prices in the feedstock Acrylic Acid and Propylene market, which resulted in elevated production costs for the commodity. The demand from the downstream Construction sector, particularly in Paint and Coating applications, also showed a slight uptick, indicating increased market activity in this sector. The market was influenced by factors such as supply-demand dynamics, feedstock prices, and market activity in the downstream sectors. The prices in the US market experienced slight changes, driven by both feedstock prices and demand from the downstream sector.
APAC
Q1 2024 has been a challenging quarter for the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market in the APAC region, with prices experiencing a significant decrease. Several factors have influenced market prices during this period. The overall trend has been negative, with a decrease of 11% from the previous quarter and a substantial decline of 20% compared to the same quarter last year. China, in particular, has seen the maximum price changes in the region. The market in China has been impacted by various factors, including a decrease in demand from downstream industries such as Paint and Coating, leading to excess inventory levels. Additionally, the Chinese New Year festivities have disrupted trading activities, further contributing to the downward price trend. The seasonality of the market has also played a role, with the first half of the quarter witnessing a higher decline in prices compared to the second half. This can be attributed to the anticipation of increased demand during the Lunar New Year, leading to stockpiling of inventories in the first half. In conclusion, the pricing environment for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in the APAC region during Q1 2024 has been negative, with decreasing prices influenced by factors such as low demand, excess inventories, and the impact of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Europe
The pricing environment for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in the Europe region during Q1 2024 has been influenced by several factors. Overall, the market has experienced a mix of positive and negative trends, with Germany being the most affected country. In Q1 2024, the prices of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate in Germany have shown an upward trend. The prices of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate rose throughout the quarter, primarily driven by an increase in the price of Acrylic Acid and Propylene. This rise in costs was further compounded by stronger increases in operating expenses for German firms, marking the steepest rise in nearly a year. Furthermore, demand from the downstream Construction sector, including the Paint and Coating sector, outstripped existing inventory levels due to disruptions in the supply chain caused by ongoing farmer protests in European countries, including Germany. These protests disrupted logistics and transportation networks, resulting in delays in shipments and impeding the timely replenishment of inventory levels. In March 2024, the 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate market encountered a slight tightening in its supply chain alongside increased demand from downstream Paint and Coating enterprises. Nationwide Rail Strike at the beginning of March disrupted 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate supply chains in the German market. Europe's largest economy has been facing challenges since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including soaring energy costs and rising borrowing expenses. The pricing environment for the commodity in Q1 2024 has been influenced by various factors, resulting in both price increases and decreases. Overall, the market has experienced a mix of positive and negative trends, reflecting the challenges and opportunities in the industry.
