For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the Diethyl Carbonate market in North America experienced a pronounced downward trend in pricing. The quarter was characterized by a consistent decline in prices, driven by multiple factors affecting the market dynamics. The most significant factor was the persistent decrease in demand from downstream sectors, particularly in coatings, and paints, amid a broader economic deceleration. High interest rates, aimed at curbing inflation, curtailed spending on manufactured goods and capital projects, significantly reducing demand for Diethyl Carbonate.
Additionally, the ease in the cost of imported materials from European and Asian markets, coupled with sufficient regional supplies, contributed to the pricing downturn. Supply chain issues, such as the shutdown of Baltimore's inner harbor and potential strikes by freight rail carriers CN and CPKC, added to the market's bearish sentiment, though these disruptions did not critically impact overall supply.
Focusing on the USA, the country saw the most significant price fluctuations, with an overall negative trend throughout the quarter. This can be attributed to weak demand from key industries and a slowdown in manufacturing activity. Seasonality played a role, with construction spending unexpectedly falling, influenced by rising mortgage rates and reduced investments in private and public construction projects.
APAC
Throughout Q2 2024, the Diethyl Carbonate market in the APAC region experienced stability in the first two months of the quarter followed by a robust upward trajectory, marked by a confluence of demand-driven factors and supply-side constraints. The surge in Diethyl Carbonate prices was driven primarily by heightened demand from downstream sectors such as paints, coatings, and construction. These industries demonstrated a consistent uptick in activity, further amplified by seasonal construction booms and government-led infrastructure projects. Additionally, the resurgence of manufacturing units after disruptions, caused by natural calamities and heatwaves, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the supply, though not without creating temporary bottlenecks. Focusing exclusively on China, this quarter encapsulated significant price fluctuations, attributable to both internal and external market dynamics. The Chinese Diethyl Carbonate sector contended with a range of challenges, including increased freight rates and an unexpected dip in the property sector, which traditionally commands significant Diethyl Carbonate consumption. Despite these headwinds, the overall market sentiment remained bullish, fueled by a stable supply chain and strategic stockpiling by major industry players. Moreover, the price landscape remained overwhelmingly positive, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 1410/MT FOB Shanghai for Diethyl Carbonate. This price point underscores an optimistic market environment, characterized by a resilient demand framework and adaptive supply strategies, ensuring sustained growth momentum for the foreseeable future.
Europe
In Q2 2024, Diethyl Carbonate pricing in Europe experienced a significant upward trend, largely driven by elevated import costs and logistical challenges. The primary catalysts for this increase were the high freight rates in the Asian shipping industry and a series of General Rate Increases (GRIs) imposed by carriers. These factors led to considerable hikes in transportation expenses, directly impacting the cost of imported chemicals. Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties prompted U.S. importers to advance orders, thereby amplifying demand for shipping services and exacerbating the strain on freight rates. Focusing on the Netherlands, which witnessed the most pronounced price escalations, the trend in Q2 2024 was distinctly bullish. The downstream paints, coatings, and construction industries demonstrated robust demand, further reinforcing this upward trajectory. Despite fluctuations in construction output within the broader European context, the Netherlands benefited from a resilient construction sector, driven by improving economic activities. In terms of seasonality, the summer months bolstered demand from the construction and automobile industries, thereby sustaining high price levels. The correlation between heightened freight costs and increased raw material prices due to rising upstream crude oil prices also played a critical role. Disruptions in the form of plant shutdowns were notably absent, ensuring a stable supply environment. Overall, the pricing environment for Diethyl Carbonate in Q2 2024 was decidedly positive, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 1548/MT CFR Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
