For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the Dimethylamine (DMA) market in the USA experienced a 3.66% increase in prices from the previous quarter. This uptick in pricing was driven by a combination of factors, including steady demand from key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, as well as increased feedstock costs, particularly for methanol, which saw a 7.4% rise in December. Although ammonia prices remained stable, logistical challenges, such as longer supplier delivery times and transportation delays, added pressure to supply chains, contributing to higher production costs.
Despite these supply-side pressures, demand remained moderate, with the pharmaceutical sector showing continued growth and demand for agrochemicals holding steady. However, subdued export orders and a cautious business outlook in December tempered overall market sentiment. Manufacturing activities faced challenges, including production cuts, as US factories navigated through weakening global demand.
The price increase can be attributed to the balancing act between supply chain disruptions and moderate demand growth. Supplier actions, including careful adjustments to production schedules, helped stabilize the market, while the steady availability of raw materials ensured continued production. Despite the positive price trend, the outlook remains cautious, with rising input costs and inflation continuing to weigh on market sentiment.
APAC
The Indian Dimethylamine (DMA) market exhibited a marginal 0.46% quarterly increase in pricing, reflecting a delicate balance between supply and demand dynamics. While feedstock Methanol prices rose significantly by 15% in December, the impact was partially offset by stable Ammonia availability, ensuring consistent production. Manufacturers maintained steady domestic output despite minor disruptions at Alkyl Amines’ Kurkumbh plant, which were efficiently managed to minimize supply chain interruptions. On the demand front, the Agrochemical sector witnessed mixed performance. Favorable monsoon conditions supported domestic demand; however, pricing pressures from the Chinese market and delayed rains in some regions curbed growth. Meanwhile, the Pharma sector outperformed expectations, driven by volume growth and robust export demand, providing a stable consumption base for DMA. Additionally, the Personal Care sector benefitted from seasonal spikes, including Black Friday sales and wedding season demand, bolstering consumption further despite cost pressures from rising palm oil prices. Export activity remained subdued, influenced by cautious global sentiment and pricing challenges. However, consistent logistics and smooth port operations supported overall market equilibrium. With improving sectoral performances, the DMA market displayed resilience, backed by efficient supply management and strong domestic manufacturing, contributing to its steady growth trajectory during the quarter.
Europe
The Dimethylamine (DMA) market in Germany exhibited a stable-to-positive trajectory over the last quarter, driven by balanced supply and demand dynamics. Despite fluctuations in feedstock markets, with Methanol prices rising steadily and Ammonia showing moderate variability, the market-maintained resilience. Adequate inventory levels, effective supplier actions, and stable production schedules supported consistent supply, ensuring minimal disruptions even amid logistical challenges during the holiday season. Demand dynamics revealed a mixed picture across key sectors. The agrochemical sector displayed moderate activity, impacted by seasonality and broader economic pressures, while the pharmaceutical sector provided steady support. In personal care, festive shopping and increased foot traffic during Black Friday gave a late boost, although rising input costs, including palm oil, posed challenges. Germany’s manufacturing sector faced ongoing economic headwinds, with weakened demand for intermediate goods and slower productivity growth reflecting broader market constraints. However, these challenges were partially mitigated by strategic supply chain adjustments and cautious optimism in the European market. Overall, the DMA market's moderate growth reflects its ability to adapt to sector-specific challenges while leveraging steady supply and consumption patterns, contributing to a stable market environment for the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Dimethyl Amine market witnessed a significant decrease in prices, driven by a multitude of factors shaping the pricing environment. The 2.38% fall compared to the same quarter last year can be attributed to a combination of supply-demand dynamics, feedstock cost fluctuations, and sectoral performances. Market stability was influenced by effective inventory management, proactive supplier actions, and strong demand from key sectors like Pharmaceuticals, Rubber, and Personal Care.
This balanced approach helped mitigate the impact of an increase in ammonia prices due to external factors like Hurricane Francine disrupting natural gas supply. Within the USA, which experienced the most price changes, the quarter displayed a notable overall trend of price escalation. A slight dip of -1.26% was noted from the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, Methanol marked a notable increase of 8.10% While Ammonia marked 1.0% decrease from the quarter ago. This upward trajectory culminated in the latest quarter-ending price of USD 3000/MT of Dimethyl Amine DEL USGC in the USA. The stability and resilience of the market amidst varying influences underline a positive pricing trend for Dimethyl Amine in the region.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Dimethyl Amine pricing in the APAC region experienced a significant decrease, influenced by several key factors. One of the primary reasons for the declining market prices was the surplus supply of Dimethyl Amine, leading to reduced demand and subsequent price adjustments. Additionally, the ongoing decrease in feedstock costs, particularly Ammonia and Methanol, which marked a 6.53% and 3.97% decrease from the previous quarter, played a crucial role in driving the overall price trend downwards.
The market also witnessed muted demand from various sectors, further contributing to the negative pricing environment. Within China, the market saw the most notable price changes, reflecting an overall trend of decreasing prices.
The quarter recorded a significant -10.27% decrease from the same period last year, indicating a sustained downward trajectory. Moreover, the quarter-on-quarter change of -0.62% highlighted the ongoing price decline. The quarter-ending price of USD 690/MT of Dimethyl Amine EX-Zhengzhou in China further emphasized the prevailing downward pricing trend in the region.
Europe
In Q3 2024, Dimethyl Amine prices in the European market remained stable, supported by several key factors. Although feedstock costs, particularly for ammonia and methanol, rose during this period, the overall pricing dynamics for Dimethyl Amine were largely unchanged. The decreased demand from downstream sectors such as agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals exerted pressure on Dimethyl Amine consumption, contributing to the market’s stability. Moreover, despite higher feedstock costs, the weaker demand from these sectors helped balance the market and prevent significant price fluctuations.
The European market's performance was also subdued due to underperformance in overseas markets, affecting the consumption of various commodities. This lower activity further reinforced price stability throughout the quarter. Compared to the same period last year, prices exhibited steady growth, reflecting the market's resilience despite ongoing challenges.
At the end of the quarter, Dimethyl Amine was priced at USD 3160/MT FOB Hamburg, underscoring the stable yet bullish price trend observed during this period, as the market managed to balance supply and demand factors effectively.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
Dimethylamine (DMA) prices in the North American market exhibited a consistent downward trend throughout Q2 2024, driven by a confluence of factors. The quarter was marked by reduced demand from key sectors, notably agrochemicals, combined with fluctuating feedstock costs.
The notable decrease in ammonia prices, a primary feedstock, exerted downward pressure on production costs, while rising methanol prices failed to counterbalance the overall market sentiment. The agricultural sector's sluggish recovery post-peak planting season further compounded the reduction in demand, while the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors displayed only moderate consumption levels.
In the USA, where the price changes were most pronounced, overall trends reflected a bearish market sentiment. Seasonal variations and sectoral shifts were evident, with Q2 2024 seeing a -8% change from the same quarter last year and a -1.7% decline from the previous quarter in 2024. The quarter-ending price settled at USD 2908/MT Del USGC, underscoring the negative pricing environment. The overall sentiment in Q2 2024 was negative, reflective of the sectoral shifts and economic pressures impacting the DMA market.
APAC
In the second quarter of 2024, the pricing landscape for Dimethyl Amine (DMA) in the APAC region has exhibited an increasing trend. This upward trajectory can be primarily attributed to several market dynamics, including rising feedstock costs, particularly ammonia, and moderate declines in methanol prices. Additionally, the resurgence of demand from the pharmaceutical, personal care, and agrochemical sectors has significantly bolstered pricing. Notably, the chemical sector's strategic inventory management and long build-up activities have played a crucial role in stabilizing and then increasing prices. China, in particular, has experienced the most pronounced price changes. The overall trend indicates a robust demand, especially from overseas markets, which has driven prices upwards. Moreover, the percentage change from the same quarter last year stands at a substantial 6.4%, reflecting a significant year-over-year growth. Compared to the previous quarter in 2024, there has been a more moderate 0.5% increase. The price of Dimethyl Amine in China at the end of this quarter is USD 738/MT, Ex-Zhengzhou.
Europe
The second quarter of 2024 has been challenging for the Dimethyl Amine (DMA) market in Europe, marked by a consistent decline in prices. Several factors have contributed to this downward trend. Primarily, the market has grappled with subdued demand from critical downstream sectors such as agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Despite a rise in the prices of feedstock methanol, the overall demand for DMA did not pick up, leading to a surplus in supply. Additionally, economic uncertainties and adverse weather conditions have exacerbated the situation, impacting agricultural operations and consequently reducing the demand for agrochemical products. The macroeconomic environment, characterized by lower purchasing activity and an inclination towards destocking by market participants, has also played a significant role in shaping the pricing dynamics. Focusing on Germany, which has experienced the most pronounced price fluctuations, the DMA market has seen a notable decline. The overall trend has been bearish, influenced heavily by an imbalance in the supply-demand ratio. The correlation in price changes highlights a persistent negative sentiment, evidenced by a -11.3% change from the same quarter last year and a -8.9% shift from the previous quarter in 2024. The quarter concluded with DMA prices at USD 3068/MT FOB Hamburg in Germany, reflecting a negative pricing environment.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
During the first quarter of 2024, the Dimethylamine market in North America encountered some obstacles. Various factors influenced the market dynamics during this period. Overall, Dimethylamine supply remained steady. However, there was a decline in demand, particularly from the Agrochemical and Rubber and Plastic sectors. On the other hand, the Pharma and Personal Care sectors experienced positive growth in demand.
As per the price actions its being indicated that the continuous buying activities from the market participants has cumulatively resulted into shift towards destocking of the inventories due to which this quarter witnessed continuous decline in the price. However, in the feedstock market, the price trend of Ammonia witnessed a decline in price in contrast Methanol witnessed an upturn.
In the United States, which had the most significant impact on the North American Dimethylamine market, the price of Dimethylamine during the first quarter of 2024 declined by 16.99% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The price for Dimethylamine in the USA during this period was USD 2950/MT Del USGC marking a decline of 8.38% from Q3 2023.
APAC
During the first quarter of 2024, the Dimethylamine (DMA) market in the APAC region remained steady. The supply of DMA was moderate to high, and there was lower demand from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and Dyes & Pigments sector from the Indian market.
However, China, which experienced significant price fluctuations, faced a decline in demand from the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and other respective sectors. This led to suppliers destocking their inventory, resulting in a bearish market throughout the quarter. Compared to the same quarter in the previous year, prices declined by 31.46%. In the current quarter, there was a further decrease of 10.60% from the previous quarter due to lower demand after the holidays.
However in the feedstock market the price of the feedstock particularly Methanol and Ammonia also witnessed continuous declining trend this quarter which has majorly impacted the price of the DMA in the respective period. Despite these challenges, the latest price for Dimethylamine FOB-Dalian in China in the current quarter is USD 734/MT.
Europe
In the European region, Dimethylamine prices are experiencing a notable decline amidst downturns in key sectors. The agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and rubber and polymer industries are all witnessing downward trends, indicating reduced demand for Dimethylamine. This decline in demand has prompted suppliers to engage in destocking activities, further exacerbating the downward price trend. At present, Dimethylamine prices are on a declining trajectory, reflecting the broader market dynamics and challenges faced by various sectors.
With these industries experiencing downturns, the need for Dimethylamine diminishes, leading to excess supply and downward pressure on prices. Additionally, decreases in Methanol and ammonia feedstock prices further contribute to the decline in Dimethylamine prices.
The Supply chain issues appear to be diminishing by the end of this quarter. Manufacturers are shaking off the supply chain disruptions caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Overall, the current market conditions in the European region indicate a challenging environment for Dimethylamine, with prices continuing to decline amidst weakened demand and favorable feedstock conditions.
