For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent (HAN Solvent) market in North America faced a complex pricing landscape due to fluctuating crude oil prices, which significantly impacted production costs. This increase in upstream costs created pressure on solvent manufacturers as they attempted to maintain profitability amidst these challenges. Demand from key sectors, however, remained modest, with industries such as construction, paint, and coatings showing restrained purchasing activities due to economic uncertainties and a cautious market sentiment. Lower than anticipated output from construction activities added to a reduction in demand, impacting the solvent’s downstream consumption.
Additionally, the broader manufacturing sector in North America exhibited caution, with companies adopting conservative inventory strategies to avoid overstocking in uncertain economic times. The reduced activity was partly a reflection of tightened monetary policies and inflation concerns, which constrained discretionary spending on materials like HAN Solvents. Paint and coatings manufacturers, significant users of aromatic solvents, also lowered their intake due to lower demand in the construction industry, which continued to experience headwinds in Q3.
By the end of the quarter, the North American HAN Solvent market remained resilient despite the complex conditions, with manufacturers focusing on inventory management and strategic sourcing to maintain stability in pricing. Market participants adjusted procurement volumes and implemented cost-saving measures to align with the reduced demand. Despite these pressures, no significant disruptions in supply were reported, as suppliers worked to adapt to the fluctuating demand, sustaining a relatively stable environment for HAN Solvents in North America.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the APAC region observed fluctuating prices in the Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent market, driven by variable demand across industries like coatings, paints, and automotive manufacturing. Initially, economic activities were robust, particularly in the automotive sector, leading to an uptick in solvent consumption. However, geopolitical tensions and procurement costs impacted supply chains, resulting in mixed price behaviour. India particularly experienced notable fluctuations during the quarter, with prices declining in the first half due to reduced demand from key sectors and restrained purchasing strategies. This bearish trend reflected the cautious sentiment of industries responding to broader market conditions. In the latter part of the quarter, prices rebounded slightly as manufacturing activities increased, contributing to improved market sentiment. Overall, despite periods of recovery, the quarter ended with a varied price trajectory, with Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent prices reaching USD 859 per MT on ex-Kandla basis in September. This underscores a period of price volatility influenced by both supply and demand-side factors in the region.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the European Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent market experienced a noticeable downturn in pricing, driven by muted demand across essential sectors. Key industries like paints, coatings, and adhesives showed limited purchasing activity, as high production costs, driven by energy price inflation, strained profitability. Germany, a significant market for HAN Solvent, experienced the most substantial price adjustments, reflecting the broader economic uncertainty impacting Europe. This reduced industrial activity in construction, a primary consumer of aromatic solvents, caused a knock-on effect on related sectors dependent on HAN Solvents. The European market also contended with high operational expenses in the face of weakened demand. With consumers and businesses exercising caution, solvent manufacturers adjusted pricing and focused on managing supply chains to prevent overstocking. Additionally, sustainability pressures and regulatory requirements drove companies to explore alternatives, further reducing demand for HAN Solvents as companies sought cost-effective and environmentally-friendly options. Overall, Q3 concluded with a cautious outlook for the HAN Solvent market in Europe, as suppliers aligned inventories with anticipated demand for the remaining year. Despite economic headwinds, solvent producers employed conservative approaches to sustain market balance without significant price volatility. As economic pressures persisted, manufacturers adapted production volumes to match reduced demand, expecting similar market conditions in the near future.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 for heavy aromatic naphtha solvent in the North American region has been characterized by a consistent downward pricing trend. This quarter witnessed a persistent decline in heavy aromatic naphtha solvent prices due to a confluence of factors significantly impacting the market. Primarily, the reduction in feedstock costs, particularly crude oil, led to lower production expenses, thereby exerting downward pressure on prices. Additionally, subdued demand from key sectors such as petrochemicals and industrial cleaning further exacerbated the price decline, as these industries faced slower growth and reduced consumption of heavy aromatic naphtha solvent.
In the United States, the most pronounced price changes were observed. The overall market trends reflected a bearish sentiment, with high inventory levels and reduced demand contributing to the persistent price drop. Despite a moderate surge in the U.S. manufacturing PMI to 51.3 in May, indicating an optimistic production outlook, this did not translate into increased prices due to overstocked inventories and stagnant demand from downstream industries. Seasonality also played a role, with lower demand typically observed during this period.
When compared to the previous quarter in 2024, there was a modest decrease, indicating a gradual but noticeable decline. Within the quarter, a further price reduction was noted between the first and second halves, underscoring the persistent bearish trend. The quarter concluded with heavy aromatic naphtha solvent prices reflecting the overall negative pricing environment driven by a combination of lower raw material costs, subdued demand, and high inventory levels.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the pricing environment for Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent (HANS) in the APAC region exhibited a consistent downward trend. This quarter has been notably bearish, driven by several key factors affecting market prices. A pronounced oversupply situation, due to continuous production and substantial inventory levels, has pressured suppliers to adopt competitive pricing strategies. Additionally, a subdued demand from downstream sectors such as paints, coatings, and agrochemicals exacerbated the decline. Economic uncertainties, including potential policy changes and inflation, further dampened industrial activity and purchasing behaviours. Globally, a decline in crude oil prices also mirrored this downward trend in the local market, influencing naphtha prices. Focusing on India, the country experienced the most significant price changes within the APAC region. Seasonal factors, including the post-monsoon recovery, coupled with cautious inventory management by suppliers, contributed to this volatility. Compared to the previous quarter, pricing saw a significant decrease, reflecting a substantial negative sentiment. Additionally, comparing the first and second halves of the quarter, a stark 20% reduction was observed, highlighting the ongoing bearish market conditions. Despite a slight anticipated recovery from the automotive sector and improved demand from the paints and coatings industries towards the quarter's end, the overall sentiment remained negative. The quarter concluded with the price of Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent Spot Ex-Kandla in India at USD 816/MT. The overarching trend of declining prices underscores a challenging quarter influenced predominantly by supply-demand imbalances and economic uncertainties. No significant plant shutdowns or disruptions were reported during this period.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the heavy aromatic naphtha solvent market in Europe experienced a notable downturn in prices, influenced by several key factors. Economic uncertainties, coupled with subdued demand from traditional sectors such as petrochemicals and industrial cleaning, played a significant role in this pricing decline. The reduction in crude oil prices substantially lowered production costs, further contributing to the downward pressure on market prices. Additionally, the market faced logistical challenges, exacerbated by public holidays that hindered transportation and collection volumes. These dynamics collectively fostered an environment of oversupply, with manufacturers struggling to balance production with declining demand. Germany, in particular, witnessed the most significant changes in heavy aromatic naphtha solvent prices. The overall trend in Germany was characterized by a consistent decrease, driven by a surplus in supply and diminished demand from key industries like petrochemicals and industrial cleaning. Seasonality effects, such as reduced industrial activity during summer months, exacerbated the negative pricing trend. The correlation between decreased production costs and the abundance of product availability led to a pronounced price deflation. Compared to the same quarter last year, heavy aromatic naphtha solvent prices fell significantly, reflecting a substantial year-on-year decline. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices decreased further, underscoring a persistent negative sentiment in the market. Within the quarter, prices saw a slight dip between the first and second halves, indicating a continuous but moderate downward trend. Concluding the quarter, the pricing environment for heavy aromatic naphtha solvent epitomized the negative pricing environment that has prevailed throughout Q2 2024.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
In the US, Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvents (HAN) are experiencing an upward price trend, driven by increased costs of crude oil and naphtha, which serve as their primary feedstock. Despite these price hikes, demand for HAN remains at a moderate level within downstream sectors including paints, coatings, sealants, and construction.
The rise in feedstock prices is putting pressure on the overall production costs of HAN, leading to the inclined price trend observed in the market. However, despite the higher prices, demand from downstream industries remains steady, indicating continued reliance on HAN for various applications.
Supply dynamics throughout the quarter have been mixed, with poor weather conditions affecting the start of the month's supply, followed by a return to normal supply levels later in the quarter. Despite these supply disruptions, the market has been able to meet moderate demand levels.
Overall, while facing upward price pressures due to increased feedstock costs, the HAN market in the US maintains stability with moderate demand and a return to normal supply levels after initial weather-related disruptions.
APAC
Throughout the first quarter of 2024, Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvents experienced an upward trajectory, driven by significant cost pressures stemming from Naphtha and Crude oil prices. Meanwhile, India's industrial sector exhibited continuous development in February as the fiscal year concluded. Bolstered by cutting-edge technology, production levels surged in tandem with a notable increase in new order inflows and favorable demand conditions. Enterprises within the sector continued to encounter robust demand from downstream segments including paint & coating, adhesive, and sealant industries. Indian refiners responded to tightened tonnage supply for moving Russian cargoes on non-sanctioned vessels by increasing their crude oil purchases from Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar last month. This strategic shift impacted Indian refineries, with 48.3% of crude oil imports sourced from Middle Eastern countries and 27.8% from Russia in March. Furthermore, heightened demand from downstream industries such as paints, coatings, and other solvents contributed to increased consumption of Heavy Aromatic Naphtha in the market. The price for March was finalized at USD 851 per metric ton on an Ex-Kandla basis.
Europe
In the European region, the market for Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvents (HAN) witnessed an upward price trend despite a decline in demand. Derived from crude oil and naphtha, these solvents play a crucial role in downstream industries such as paints, coatings, sealants, and construction. Despite the inclination in price, demand for HAN experienced a decline, reflecting subdued activity in the paints, coatings, and sealants sectors. This downturn in demand may be attributed to various factors, including economic uncertainties, reduced construction activities, and shifts in consumer preferences. The construction sector, a major consumer of HAN-based products, may have been particularly affected by factors such as fluctuating raw material costs, regulatory changes, and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the paints and coatings industry, closely linked to construction and manufacturing activities, may have faced challenges due to subdued consumer spending and reduced investment in infrastructure projects. Overall, while the price of Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvents showed an upward trajectory, the decline in demand within key downstream industries poses challenges for suppliers and manufacturers operating in the European market.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Heavy Aromatic Naphtha (HANS) market in the US continued to experience a bearish trend, primarily driven by weak cost pressure from the feedstock Naphtha. Despite signs of improvement in the downstream construction sector, the consumption of HANS faced a reduction due to the ample availability of the product in the domestic market. Additionally, inquiries from the overseas market witnessed a decline during this period.
Companies consistently linked the decline in operating conditions to factors such as global economic weakness, persistent inflationary pressures, and a growing number of projects being put on hold. The market experienced an ample supply of the product, leading to sufficient stockpiles. Towards the end of the year, some discounted prices were offered as the market aimed to manage excess inventory.
As the year ended, businesses in the domestic market embraced a just-in-time purchasing approach, showing reluctance to accumulate excess materials during this period. Additionally, Mexico witnessed a milder decline in coating sales, and destocking activities contributed to keeping the prices of the product subdued in the region.
APAC
The cost of Heavy Aromatic Naphtha Solvent (HANS) exhibited to a mix trend in the fourth quarter of 2023 in the Indian domestic market. The festive season in India typically brings about optimism, especially in the construction sector to renovate the houses. The sustained growth in new business activities continued to drive recruitment initiatives among goods producers in India. The purchasing activity from the end-use industry remained strong, indicating a gradual increase in demand for the product throughout October. During mid and final month, the cost of the product dipped due to the raw material, crude oil, experienced an 8% depreciation in the Indian market, benefiting downstream derivative sectors. Furthermore, end-of-the-year destocking practices, coupled with affordable price movements, potentially led to a decrease in the overall value of the product. The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) experienced a slight decrease but remained above the long-term trend. Additionally, employment levels were largely stable in December.
Europe
Throughout the fourth quarter of 2023, Heavy Aromatic Naphtha (HANS) witnessed a decline in cost, driven by lower feedstock prices in the region. Moreover, there was subdued demand for the product from the downstream paints and coatings sector in the Eurozone's construction industry. On a global scale, the market observed an upswing in the supply of feedstock crude oil, a development linked to major oil traders reengaging in transactions with Venezuela. This renewed activity follows the recent relaxation of sanctions on the Latin American country, particularly within its oil industry. In October, the United States lifted most sanctions as part of an agreement between the Nicolas Maduro government and the opposition, potentially paving the way for elections in the upcoming year. In 2023, the petrochemical sector faced reduced demand, influenced by Germany's sluggish economic conditions, notable destocking of inventories, and an overall lack of robust demand. The industry contended with challenges such as elevated inflation, increasing interest rates, and geopolitical tensions, further contributing to uncertainties and risks affecting the growth of the Heavy Aromatic Naphtha product.
