For the Quarter Ending December 2025
APAC
• In India, the Acetaldehyde Price Index fell by 8.55% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting oversupply and easing feedstock.
• The average Acetaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 1094.33/MT.
• Acetaldehyde Spot Price softened due to ample regional supply and muted downstream procurement across industries.
• Acetaldehyde Price Forecast anticipates limited upside as steady inventories and manageable demand constrain rapid recovery.
• Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend improved amid lower feedstock prices, but winter energy costs could reverse.
• Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook remains moderate as pharmaceuticals and resins sustain consumption but exports stay subdued.
• Acetaldehyde Price Index stability masked inventory accumulation and logistical frictions, limiting market confidence short-term momentum.
• Major producer turnarounds and controlled operating rates tightened supply availability, supporting short-term Acetaldehyde Spot Price.
Why did the price of Acetaldehyde change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Balanced supply and steady domestic demand left limited upward pressure, with inventories absorbing excess output.
• Eased feedstock prices and improved crude inflows lowered manufacturing costs, contributing to downward price momentum.
• Year-end maintenance and constrained imports tightened local supply, while freight and logistics volatility elevated uncertainty.
Europe
• In Spain, the Acetaldehyde Price Index fell by 2.56% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting Asian supply and subdued demand.
• The average Acetaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 1481.67/MT reflecting published CFR assessments.
• Acetaldehyde Spot Price remained subdued amid steady imports and balanced inventories, limiting upward short-term pressure.
• Acetaldehyde Price Forecast indicates mild downside risk as Asian export flows continue and procurement cautious.
• Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend eased as ethanol and ethylene feedstock reduced cost pressures on producers.
• Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook remains muted with softer food and beverage purchases offsetting pharmaceutical coatings consumption.
• Balanced inventories and Asian shipments pressured the Acetaldehyde Price Index, preventing weekly rebounds in Spain.
• Logistics and port efficiency supported continuity, while freight volatility remained an upside risk to CFR values.
Why did the price of Acetaldehyde change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Robust Asian exports-maintained supply into Europe, creating downward pressure on domestic Acetaldehyde Price Index.
• Eased feedstock costs for ethanol and ethylene reduced Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend, limiting upward pricing momentum.
• Subdued demand from food and beverage sectors softened consumption, prompting cautious procurement and balanced inventories.
North America
• Acetaldehyde market activity in North America showed relative price stability with soft pricing momentum, driven by balanced supply and demand conditions heading into late 2025.
• Production cost trends remained moderate, supported by steady ethanol and ethylene feedstock availability and limited volatility in those key inputs.
• The spot market experienced subdued short-term pressure as inventories stayed well-supplied and procurement behavior remained cautious among buyers.
• Demand outlook was mixed, with steady consumption from pharmaceuticals, food preservative applications, and coatings, while sectors such as adhesives and some industrial chemicals showed softer offtake.
• Balanced inventories and consistent import volumes contributed to a well-supplied market, limiting sharp upward pricing movements in North America.
• Despite broader logistical cost pressures (e.g., freight), strong domestic feedstock production helped support continuity and keep cost pressures in check for acetaldehyde producers in the U.S.
• Seasonal year-end slowdown in industrial activity during December 2025 reduced spot buying interest, reinforcing stable-to-soft market sentiment across North America.
• Limited unplanned plant outages and stable operating rates among producers ensured an uninterrupted supply, preventing supply-driven volatility in the Acetaldehyde market.
Why did Acetaldehyde conditions change in December 2025 in North America?
• Domestic feedstock availability remained robust, particularly ethylene and ethanol, which eased production cost pressures and restrained strong price increases.
• Moderate downstream demand from key sectors such as coatings, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals kept procurement cautious rather than aggressively driving price growth.
• Inventory levels stayed elevated or balanced, reducing buying urgency and preventing sharp price rebounds late in the year.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
• In APAC, the Acetaldehyde Price Index rose by 1.78% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting volatility in the prices.
• The average Acetaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 1144.33/MT.
• Acetaldehyde Price Index reflected a softening trend toward the end of the quarter, driven by reduced demand from key downstream industries such as acetic acid, ethyl acetate, pyridine derivatives, pentaerythritol, peracetic acid, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend eased slightly in September due to lower ethanol and ethylene feedstock prices and stabilized energy costs across major producing countries like China, India, and South Korea
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook remained subdued in Q3, with limited growth in adhesives, paints and coatings, and agrochemical applications. Demand from pharmaceutical and food sectors remained steady but insufficient to offset broader industrial weakness.
• In September 2025, the Price Index decreased due to oversupply, cautious procurement behavior, and reduced export activity amid competitive pricing pressure from regional suppliers.
• Acetaldehyde Price Forecast suggests continued softness into Q4 2025 unless demand rebounds from the pharmaceutical, coatings, and specialty chemical sectors.
• Regional producers operated at moderate capacity utilization, while import volumes from Europe and North America remained stable, contributing to a well-supplied market.
• Environmental regulations and the push for bio-based intermediates may influence long-term demand, especially in fine chemicals and pharma-grade acetaldehyde.
Why did the price of Acetaldehyde change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Feedstock costs declined, reducing production expenses.
• Oversupply and high inventory levels led to competitive pricing.
• Weak demand from coatings, adhesives, and agrochemical sectors softened the market, pushing the Price Index downward.
North America
• In North America, Acetaldehyde Price Index showed mild fluctuations during Q3 in North America reflecting a stable pricing environment.
• Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend remained steady throughout the quarter, with ethanol and ethylene feedstock prices showing minimal volatility and energy costs stabilizing across major production hubs in the U.S. and Canada.
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook was moderate, with steady consumption in pharmaceuticals, food preservatives, and coatings, while demand from agrochemicals and adhesives softened slightly in September.
• In September 2025, the Price Index decreased marginally due to cautious procurement behavior, high inventory levels, and subdued activity in industrial coatings and adhesives.
• Acetaldehyde Price Forecast suggests stable-to-soft pricing into Q4 2025, contingent on feedstock trends and demand recovery from specialty chemicals and pharma-grade applications.
• North American producers operated at balanced capacity utilization, while import volumes from APAC and Europe remained consistent, contributing to a well-supplied market.
• Regulatory compliance and sustainability initiatives continue to influence long-term demand for acetaldehyde, especially in pharmaceutical and fine chemical segments.
Why did the price of Acetaldehyde change in September 2025 in North America?
• Demand from coatings and adhesives sectors softened, reducing procurement volumes.
• Feedstock prices stabilized, limiting cost-driven price increases.
• High inventory levels and cautious buying behavior led to a slight dip in the Price Index.
Europe
• In Spain, the Acetaldehyde Price Index rose by 1.9% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting balanced imports and demand.
• The average Food Grade Acetaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 1520.67/MT, on CFR Barcelona basis.
• Acetaldehyde Spot Price remained range bound as adequate inventories and smooth logistics limited short-term price volatility.
• Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend remained steady throughout the quarter, with ethanol and ethylene feedstock prices showing minimal volatility and energy costs stabilizing across key European production hubs.
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook was moderate, with consistent consumption in pharmaceuticals and food preservatives, while demand from coatings and agrochemicals softened slightly in September.
• In September 2025, the Price Index decreased marginally due to cautious procurement behavior, high inventory levels, and subdued activity in the coatings and adhesives sectors.
• Acetaldehyde Price Forecast suggests stable-to-soft pricing into Q4 2025, contingent on feedstock trends and demand recovery from specialty chemicals and pharma-grade applications.
• European producers operated at balanced capacity utilization, while import volumes from APAC remained steady, contributing to a well-supplied market.
• Spanish terminal inventories remained adequate, allowing distributors to manage deliveries and limit urgent spot purchases.
Why did the price of Acetaldehyde change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Balanced imports and stable ethanol limited margin pressure, keeping Acetaldehyde Price Index steady.
• Improved port operations eased logistics, reducing delays and supporting arrivals into Barcelona terminals.
• Weak industrial and hospitality demand offset FMCG pharmaceutical offtake, resulting in price stability.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America (USA)
• The Acetaldehyde Price Index in the U.S. Gulf Coast averaged USD 1,375/MT FOB Texas during Q2 2025, easing from Q1 levels due to ample inventories and subdued industrial consumption.
• The Acetaldehyde Spot Price softened as buyers favoured short-cycle procurement, steering clear of bulk commitments amid weak demand from coatings, agrochemicals, and solvents.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are expected to remain steady to slightly lower as oversupply persists and downstream offtake improves only gradually post-summer.
• The Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend was stable, supported by steady ethanol prices and easing natural gas rates, though outbound freight to Canada and Mexico kept logistics costs firm.
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook is neutral heading into Q3, with mild upside potential tied to construction-led coatings demand and possible restocking by agrochemical blenders.
Europe (Spain)
• The Acetaldehyde Price Index in Spain averaged USD 1,492/MT CFR Barcelona during Q2 2025, climbing steadily on firm coatings and resin demand despite tepid macroeconomic conditions.
• The Acetaldehyde Spot Price held balanced, with stable imports from North Africa and Asia ensuring adequate supply alongside local production.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are expected to increase slightly, underpinned by high energy tariffs and coatings demand, even as automotive and construction sectors remain sluggish.
• The Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend remained elevated due to natural gas tariffs, ethanol tightness, and moderate shipping surcharges on imports.
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook is steady-to-bullish for Q3, led by coatings and resin demand, though export-oriented intermediates face downside risks from weak global trade.
Asia (India)
• The Acetaldehyde Price Index in India averaged INR 103,743/MT Ex-Chennai for Q2 2025, rising moderately on tighter domestic supply and resilient demand from agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediates.
• The Acetaldehyde Spot Price was steady, with contract-driven procurement helping offset feedstock ethanol and logistics volatility.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are projected to increase moderately due to seasonal agrochemical stocking ahead of the monsoon and rising ethanol and transport costs.
• The Acetaldehyde Production Cost Trend edged higher on firm ethanol prices, steady energy inputs, and climbing freight rates in southern India.
• The Acetaldehyde Demand Outlook is bullish into Q3, anchored by agrochemical and pharma demand, though bulk chemical offtake may ease if ethanol prices correct.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the pricing pattern for Acetaldehyde experienced notable fluctuations influenced by market trends, as well as variations in demand across the construction and automotive sectors.
The quarter began with declining prices attributed to weak demand, particularly stemming from sluggish activity in the construction industry and high inventory levels. Sellers faced pressures as they struggled to move stock, reflecting a cautious outlook among market players.
A turning point occurred as major industry participants enacted price hikes in response to tightening supply conditions. Despite the ongoing challenges in the construction sector, an uptick in automotive sales led to increased demand for Acetaldehyde in coatings applications. As inventory levels decreased, prices began to rise, reversing the downward trend observed in the previous month as producers sought to realign their pricing strategies.
However, the Acetaldehyde market grew bearish again as prices declined due to oversupply issues and economic uncertainties related to new tariff regulations. Although automotive sales showed moderate growth, overall sentiment remained tempered due to concerns surrounding inventory management and the stability of demand.
Europe
The price trend for Acetaldehyde in Spain during Q1 2025 showed a consistent upward trajectory, driven by tight supply conditions and strong demand from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. In January, prices began rising significantly due to reduced domestic availability and robust FMCG demand, which led to increased spot market activity and multiple price hikes by producers.
This upward momentum continued into February, with prices settling higher as major producers-initiated price increases, supported by constrained supply and sustained demand for acetaldehyde in food and beverage applications. Despite fluctuations in feedstock costs, the market remained resilient.
By March, prices increased further reflecting a rise attributed to ongoing supply constraints and intensified buyer activity as manufacturers struggled to meet demand. Buyers proactively stocked inventories in anticipation of seasonal demand surges.
The overall quarterly analysis indicated that prices have steadily increased due to strong FMCG demand and ongoing supply limitations. As the market transitions into Q2 2025, concerns about production capacity and demand fluctuations will continue to influence pricing strategies.
APAC
The Acetaldehyde market in India for Q1 2025 experienced a bearish price trend influenced by fluctuating demand across key industries and varying feedstock prices. In January, prices remained stable due to weak demand, although the construction sector saw stable support from government initiatives. The automotive sector showed resilience with a significant increase in vehicle sales, helping to support prices despite overall market caution.
February marked a slight price increase, driven by tight inventories and restocking sentiments within downstream sectors, albeit impacted by rising feedstock costs. This semblance of recovery was short-lived as March saw a significant decline in prices, fueled by oversupply and sluggish demand, particularly in paints and coatings tied to the struggling construction industry.
Economic pressures, especially rising construction costs and affordability challenges, further constrained purchasing behavior among consumers. Overall, Q1 2025 showcased price fluctuations reflective of broader market dynamics, highlighting the need for sellers to adapt strategies in a challenging landscape as they move into the next quarter.
