For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Formaldehyde Price Index fell by 3.63% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting softer downstream demand conditions.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 806.00/MT, reported FOB Texas basis.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained firm in December, balanced by adequate supply and moderate logistical frictions.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast points to volatility ahead due to seasonal resin demand and maintenance risk.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend eased as methanol feedstock softened, widening producer margins and supporting output.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remains cautious with hand to mouth buying, resin orders and subdued exports.
• Formaldehyde Price Index was supported by port normalization despite trucking shortages and rail bottleneck effects.
• Inventory adjustments and exports exerted downward pressure, while healthy Gulf Coast utilization limited further declines.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in December 2025 in North America?
• Lower methanol feedstock prices reduced production costs, easing upward price pressure across U.S. formaldehyde producers.
• High Gulf Coast operating rates and balanced inventories kept supply ample, preventing sharper price increases.
• Logistics frictions including trucking shortages and rail delays tightened delivery windows, supporting some price stability.
APAC
• In China, the Formaldehyde Price Index fell by 3.07% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand, ample supply.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 115.67/MT across FOB-Shandong spot assessments.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained range-bound as buyers purchased minimally, and port delays tempered downward pressure.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend eased as methanol feedstock stabilized, reducing conversion expenses for coastal producers.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remains subdued with construction and furniture slowdowns curbing resin and panel orders.
• Formaldehyde Price Index showed stabilization in December as logistics constraints offset methanol-related input cost relief.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast anticipates intermittent firmness into Q1 driven by maintenance outages and restocking activity.
• Formaldehyde inventories remained moderate, export demand weak, but logistical frictions cushioned Price Index declines slightly.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Balanced supply and weak downstream demand limited upside despite minor methanol cost stabilization during December.
• Port congestion and emission-driven temporary run-rate cuts tightened availability, preventing deeper discounts in spot markets.
• Moderate export demand and cautious buyer restocking constrained volumes, maintaining range-bound Formaldehyde Price Index levels.
Europe
• In Spain, the Formaldehyde Price Index fell by 3.5% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued demand and ample supply.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 666.33/MT, FD Algeciras regionally reported.
• Range-bound Formaldehyde Spot Price activity persisted amid logistical frictions and balanced regional inventories reducing urgency.
• Near-term Formaldehyde Price Forecast implies modest volatility as seasonal buying and maintenance schedules influence availability.
• Lower natural-gas benchmarks eased Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend, cushioning producer margins despite softer downstream orders.
• Weak construction and panel consumption shaped the Formaldehyde Demand Outlook, driving conservative purchasing and destocking.
• Formaldehyde Price Index strength late December reflected tightness from maintenance and distributor pre-buying ahead holidays.
• Export flows and port congestion moderated offers, influencing the Formaldehyde Price Index versus methanol feedstock weakness.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Softer methanol feedstock costs reduced production expenses, pressuring local formaldehyde offers during December.
• Seasonal slowdown in wood panel and automotive demand caused buyers to defer purchases and destock inventories.
• Port congestion easing and punctual shipments altered spot availability, while maintenance schedules temporarily tightened regional supply.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, the Formaldehyde Price Index rose by 5.04% quarter-over-quarter, driven by construction demand.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 299.00/MT, reflecting steady seasonal consumption.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained pressured late-December as year-end discounts and weak downstream inquiries exacerbated momentum.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast shows modest volatility near-term driven by construction seasonality and potential logistical disruptions.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend was neutral as methanol feedstock remained stable, broadly sustaining manufacturing expenses.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook stays cautious as panel-board and construction demand soften amid high finished-goods inventories.
• Formaldehyde Price Index increased in late-December as suppliers offered aggressive discounts to reduce year-end inventories.
• Major plants ran at mid-eighties percent utilisation, sustaining exports while keeping domestic availability largely uninterrupted.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in December 2025 in MEA?
• Weak year-end construction demand and high finished-goods inventories reduced formaldehyde offtake, pressuring prices significantly domestically.
• Suppliers applied aggressive year-end discounts to clear stocks, increasing selling pressure despite methanol feedstock costs.
• Thin import cushion and balanced domestic production reduced urgency, while buyers delayed purchases awaiting visibility.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Formaldehyde Price Index rose by 1.37% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher methanol feedstock.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 836.33/MT, reported by regional trading desks.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price volatility increased amid Gulf Coast logistics congestion and periodic Texas flood-related port delays.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend tightened as intermittent methanol cost upticks pressured margins despite steady natural gas inputs.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remained cautious with construction weakness and soft automotive resin procurement constraining offtake.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast suggests near-term range-bound movement amid balanced inventories and episodic export interest from Latin America.
• Formaldehyde Price Index showed episodic weakness in August, reflecting inventory builds, subdued demand and resumed plant operations.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in September 2025 in North America?
• Tightened methanol feedstock earlier in quarter, then eased; supply swings and feedstock changed producer margins.
• Texas flooding and port congestion created short-term logistics constraints, briefly tightening spot availability and transport costs.
• Weaker construction affordability and substitution trends reduced resin procurement, dampening formaldehyde offtake and pricing power.
APAC
• In China, the Formaldehyde Price Index fell by 4.53% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak downstream demand conditions.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 119.33/MT, FOB Shandong weekly reporting.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained rangebound as coastal inventories balanced against intermittent feedstock tightness and logistics.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast signals modest volatility driven by seasonal construction cycles and methanol flow shifts.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend edged up with intermittent methanol supply tightness raising input expense pressure.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remains muted as construction and plywood sectors restrain procurement and offtake near-term.
• Formaldehyde Price Index showed mixed signals with high operating rates offsetting weak resin offtake persistently.
• Inventories and export demand affected pricing as coastal stockpiles stayed elevated while regional bids helped.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Abundant methanol deliveries and sustained plant operating rates boosted formaldehyde output, creating comfortable domestic availability.
• Soft construction and plywood markets depressed resin purchasing, reducing offtake and limiting upstream pricing power.
• Methanol import diversions and port flow shifts briefly tightened feedstock, prompting short-term firmer formaldehyde movements.
Europe
• In Spain, the Formaldehyde Price Index fell by 11.38% quarter-over-quarter, driven by weak domestic demand.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 690.33/MT on FD Algeciras basis.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained pressured by subdued panel and furniture demand despite occasional feedstock-driven support.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast suggests limited upside near term as the Formaldehyde Price Index balances feedstock.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend tracked methanol movements, partially offset by lower natural gas and efficiencies.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remains muted with pockets of strength in automotive and renovation-driven construction activity.
• Elevated inventories and export demand weighed on the Formaldehyde Price Index, limiting sellers' pricing power.
• Continuous domestic production and uninterrupted methanol flows kept supply functional, thereby capping Formaldehyde Price Index volatility.
• Regulatory uncertainty from ECHA guidelines and cautious buyer strategies pressured demand, affecting Formaldehyde Price Forecast.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Subdued construction and furniture demand reduced offtake in Spain, creating downward pressure on domestic formaldehyde prices.
• Methanol feedstock fluctuations and occasional freight delays influenced production costs, but net cost push remained moderate.
• ECHA emission guidance increased buyer caution and delayed purchases, amplifying inventory accumulation and bearish market sentiment.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, the Formaldehyde Price Index rose by 9.2% quarter-over-quarter, supported by tighter supply.
• The average Formaldehyde price for the quarter was approximately USD 284.67/MT, reflecting mixed weekly assessments.
• Formaldehyde Spot Price remained supported by construction activity, keeping the Formaldehyde Price Index relatively firm.
• Formaldehyde Price Forecast suggests modest upside near-term driven by resumed project procurement and limited short-term plant outages.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend eased as methanol feedstock softened, reducing conversion costs for integrated local producers.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remains steady with construction and panel manufacturing sustaining offtake amid Vision 2030.
• Formaldehyde Price Index volatility moderated due to balanced inventories and export demand to Turkey and Egypt.
• Major producers operated reliably; logistics and port throughput remained efficient, underpinning stability and price discipline.
Why did the price of Formaldehyde change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Renewed construction demand lifted resin procurement, tightening local availability and supporting upward price pressures locally.
• Methanol feedstock softened, lowering production costs, partially offsetting upward momentum from stronger domestic demand drivers
• Scheduled plant maintenance in quarter tightened supply; efficient port logistics limited broader disruption to flows.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Formaldehyde Price Index rose to USD 817/MT FOB Texas by late June, reflecting a 13.7% quarterly increase. Price momentum was driven by cost-side volatility and steady downstream offtake.
• Why did the July 2025 price of Formaldehyde change in USA?
• The Formaldehyde Price Index in July showed only a slight uptick as cost pressures eased with declining methanol prices, while downstream demand remained steady but not strong enough to push prices higher.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend was driven by a sharp drop in methanol feedstock prices in April eased cost pressures initially. However, rising methanol costs in late June reversed the trend, tightening margins and leading to price escalation.
• Formaldehyde overall demand outlook stayed positive, led by non-residential construction and a surge in furniture and automotive manufacturing. A rise in furniture sales and strong vehicle output supported resin consumption.
• The Formaldehyde Forecast points to a stable-to-firm trend in Q3, supported by ongoing infrastructure activity and stable end-use consumption in construction and automotive sectors.
APAC
• The Formaldehyde Price Index dropped to USD 137/MT FOB Shandong in mid-June, showing a sharp 15.8% quarterly decline due to oversupply and weakened demand.
• Why did the July 2025 price of Formaldehyde change in China?
• The Formaldehyde Price Index declined further due to structural oversupply, poor housing sector recovery, and reduced resin exports following new EU anti-dumping tariffs.
• Formaldehyde production cost Trend was impacted by Feedstock methanol prices, that were relatively stable until June, but a late-quarter uptick added pressure. However, high inventory levels and consistent plant operations kept overall supply abundant.
• The Formaldehyde demand outlook was influenced by weak construction activity, trade tensions, and falling exports dampened demand. Even with a rise in NEV sales supporting automotive applications, it was insufficient to offset construction weakness.
• The Formaldehyde Forecast remains bearish, with slow demand recovery across construction and export sectors. Marginal support may come from the EV boom, but it won’t fully reverse current bearish conditions.
Europe
• Formaldehyde Spot Price Index rose impressively to USD 752/MT CFR Hamburg in early June, marking an 11.8% quarterly increase, underpinned by tight supply amid logistical disruptions.
• Why did the July 2025 price of Formaldehyde change in Germany?
• In July, the Formaldehyde Price Index remained stable. Although demand stayed muted, specialized resin-grade products and contractual imports maintained a modest pricing premium.
• Formaldehyde Production Cost Trend: Higher methanol prices and severe port congestion in Rotterdam and Hamburg drove up shipping times and costs, tightening domestic availability and sustaining price levels.
• Formaldehyde Demand Outlook remained soft. Construction stayed under pressure from weak project starts and high input costs, while the automotive sector saw falling sales and production volumes. Emission-related regulations added uncertainty.
• The Formaldehyde Forecast for Europe signals marginal improvement, hinging on construction rebound and automotive sector stabilization. However, regulation-driven bifurcation between commodity and specialty formaldehyde may persist.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the U.S. formaldehyde market experienced a predominantly bullish price trend, driven by tight supply conditions and steady demand from key downstream sectors. Prices began the quarter at around USD 661/MT FOB Texas and rose steadily, influenced initially by regulatory uncertainty from the EPA's finalized risk evaluation under the TSCA, which created caution among manufacturers and contributed to a conservative market environment.
In February, despite declining methanol feedstock prices, formaldehyde prices surged due to persistent supply constraints and strong downstream demand, particularly from the automotive sector. The situation intensified in March with unplanned shutdowns at major production facilities operated by Foremark Performance Chemicals and Momentive Specialty Chemicals, significantly tightening domestic supply.
As a result, prices inclined by late March, marking an approximate 25% increase over the quarter. The construction sector showed mixed signals—sluggish housing activity limited demand, while ongoing infrastructure investments provided some support. In contrast, automotive production remained stable, underpinning consistent demand for formaldehyde in coatings and interior components.
Despite methanol price declines and regulatory pressures, formaldehyde prices were buoyed by strong industrial demand and constrained supply, pointing to potential continued volatility in the upcoming quarter depending on regulatory developments and production recovery.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the formaldehyde market in China displayed a generally stable to slightly bullish price trend, underpinned by a delicate balance between supply-side stability and fluctuating demand across key downstream sectors. Prices began the quarter at USD 175/MT FOB Shandong in January, supported by steady production costs and moderate demand, though trading activity was limited due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
By early February, prices dipped to USD 165/MT amid seasonal production slowdowns, weak demand from the construction and automotive sectors, and broader economic uncertainties. However, market conditions gradually improved through late February and March. A modest rebound in vehicle sales, government incentives for electric vehicles, and signs of recovery in the construction sector contributed to renewed demand for formaldehyde-based resins and adhesives.
Meanwhile, upstream methanol supply faced intermittent constraints due to plant maintenance, but this had limited impact on formaldehyde production due to stable procurement strategies and balanced feedstock availability. By the end of March, prices had risen reflecting a 2.4% month-on-month increase. Despite the overall quarterly decline of 3.4%, the formaldehyde market showed signs of recovery, driven by improving macroeconomic indicators and resilient demand from industrial applications, suggesting a cautiously optimistic outlook for Q2 2025.
Europe
In Q1 2025, formaldehyde prices in the Netherlands followed a consistently bullish trend, rising from USD 565/MT in early January to the end of March—a 33.6% increase. The surge was primarily driven by persistent supply-side constraints, elevated production costs, and stable demand from key sectors. Supply disruptions due to port labour disputes in Europe and tight methanol availability limited formaldehyde output, while high natural gas prices increased manufacturing expenses.
Despite sluggish demand from the construction sector and a decline in traditional automotive sales, procurement remained steady due to formaldehyde’s essential role in resins, adhesives, and coatings. The withdrawal of regulatory concerns around formaldehyde’s SVHC classification further boosted market confidence and buying sentiment in February. March saw a modest recovery in construction activity and easing of some supply issues, but the cumulative impact of earlier bottlenecks and firm demand kept prices elevated.
Overall, the market demonstrated supply-driven resilience, with manufacturers maintaining higher pricing amid cost pressures and logistical uncertainties. Barring a sharp drop in feedstock costs or a major demand shift, formaldehyde prices in Europe are likely to remain firm in the near term.
