For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend oscillated in the North American region, showcasing moderate sentiments in the market. Initially, at the beginning of the quarter, HDI prices decreased amid reduced demand for HDI from PU segment amid sluggish consumption of Polyurethane materials in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
In the middle of the third quarter, HDI production rates were hampered because of the stressed availability of feedstocks in the region. The offtakes were moderate, and market players raised their quotations. Consequently, the second half of the quarter witnessed a price increment, underlining a gradual price uptick.
Towards the end of Q3, improved availability of Crude Oil in the international market and increased refinery operations resulted in firm availability of feedstocks and negatively impacted the HDI production costs. At the same time, the impact of Hurricane Helene resulted in reduced consumption from downstream industries and an increase in domestic stockpiles due to affected supply chain activities. The market players negatively revised their quotations and overall, the HDI prices witnessed a decline in Q3 2024 from the previous quarter.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market in the APAC region has been characterized by a fluctuating pricing environment. The quarter has witnessed significant influences from several factors such as increased upstream Butadiene costs due to fluctuating crude oil prices, moderate demand from downstream industries, and improved manufacturing activities. The market's dynamics were further complicated by supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting crude oil imports, leading to variable feedstock availability. During the mid-quarter, the looming concerns about a recession in the US affected the international crude oil market and refinery operation. It stressed the upstream Butadiene supplies and HDI production rates. HDI prices fluctuated and rose marginally, and the price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter revealed a modest increase, highlighting slight recovery efforts. Towards the end of the quarter, the increased availability of upstream Butadiene supplies, driven by improved refinery operations and Crude Oil availability amid a resumption of Crude Oil supply from Libya in September 2024, negatively impacted the production costs. Simultaneously, offtakes for moderately low from the PU segment during the period. Conclusively, from the previous quarter in 2024, overall prices fell from the previous quarter, indicating a downward trend in Q3, 2024.
Europe
During the third quarter of 2024, the European Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market experienced a predominantly negative pricing environment, and the price trend shifted its movement due to imbalanced demand-supply dynamics. Throughout the quarter, the sluggish demand from the polyurethane sector, particularly within construction, exerted downward pressure on prices. The Eurozone's construction sector continued its downturn, significantly impacting HDI consumption. Additionally, the manufacturing sector faced challenges, with the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI indicating declining new orders and rising costs, further dampening demand. Supply-side dynamics also played a role, as supply availability improved post-summer holidays, yet demand failed to match this increase, exacerbating inventory levels. From the mid-quarter, the demand-supply imbalances and external economic pressures caused a marginal incline in HDI prices. Seasonality played a role as summer holidays resulted in labor shortages and reduced manufacturing rates, impacting supply chains. Despite no reported plant shutdowns, operational rates were closely monitored to manage the surplus supply. The quarter concluded after an overall 15% drop from the last quarter's prices, indicating a persisting downward trend.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend oscillated in the North American region. Initially, the price trend was firm as prices rose due to increased production costs. As per EQT, the energy sector witnessed escalations in production costs due to geopolitical tensions and positive economic data. Meanwhile, the market showcased mixed demand for HDI from the Polyurethane segment.
During the mid-quarter, HDI prices declined, and several significant factors influenced this decline. Predominantly, the reduction in demand from the construction sector adversely impacted HDI prices. This sector faced reduced spending and higher borrowing costs, which led to lower offtakes of Polyurethane materials used in construction applications. Moreover, the automotive sector's sluggish consumption of Polyurethane products due to the increased supply of Chinese electric vehicles further exacerbated the declining demand for HDI. Additionally, the cost support from upstream Butadiene and Ammonia fluctuated, impacting the production costs and subsequently influencing HDI pricing.
Towards the end of the quarter, the HDI price trend improved due to a revamp in demand for PU materials in the construction sector. The construction sector performed well, and according to the US Census Bureau, construction spending in May 2024 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,139.8 billion, reflecting a slight 0.1% decrease from April's revised estimate of $2,142.1 billion.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market in the APAC region underwent notable changes due to several factors. Initially, HDI prices fell due to reduced purchasing activity, driven by subdued demand in the Polyurethane segment and lower trading volumes in the market. At the same time, cost support from upstream Butadiene decreased because of declining upstream Crude Oil prices and reduced consumption rates. Mid-quarter, prices increased as production rates were affected by limited availability of upstream Ammonia due to previous production cuts and heightened demand from the pharmaceutical sector strained supply chains. Concurrently, demand for HDI surged as buyers stockpiled in anticipation of the monsoon season and increased production of Thermoplastic Polyurethane for PU sole footwear. This seasonal boost, combined with steady offtake from the Polyurethane industry, provided strong support for market prices. However, the construction sector's increased demand for Polyurethane materials further propelled prices upward. Towards the end of Q2, the HDI demand fell from the PU manufacturers due to sluggish consumption of construction materials. South China's construction industry faced a slowdown due to heavy rains, which reduced the business activity index to 52.3%, down 2.1% from May. Simultaneously, China's new home prices fell by 0.7% in May, marking the fastest decline in over nine and a half years.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market experienced a downward price trend in Europe due to a combination of factors that dampened market sentiment. The quarter saw a sustained decline in demand from the Polyurethane segment, exacerbated by a continued slump in construction activities. This sector, particularly housing and commercial projects, faced a significant shortage of new orders, indicating a persistent deterioration in demand conditions. Additionally, the overall economic environment in Europe remained subdued, with the manufacturing sector struggling with a slower-than-expected recovery. In Germany, where the impact was most severe, HDI prices reflected this broader regional trend with a noticeable decline. Seasonal factors, such as the anticipated reduction in production costs from lower upstream Crude Oil prices, were countered by moderate to low supply availability. Logistics disruptions and labor shortages also heavily influenced market dynamics. The relationship between reduced offtakes and increased inventory levels further pressured prices, resulting in a negative pricing environment throughout the quarter. Compared to Q1 2024, prices remained stable but were significantly lower, with the second half of the quarter experiencing a sharper price drop of 15%.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
The Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend showcased upward movement in the North American market during the first quarter of 2024. At the beginning of the quarter, the demand for HDI was firm from the Polyurethane segment as the furniture industry saw a surge in sales due to Presidents' Day deals and increased demand for painted furniture and cabinets. Simultaneously, the inquiries surged for energy-efficient products in the refrigeration industries.
During the mid-quarter, feedstock supplies were affected because of the low availability of upstream Crude Oil stocks in the global market due to production cuts by OPEC+ and rising anticipations of further Oil production cuts by OPEC+ after the cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas War. Simultaneously, the energy sector witnessed escalations in energy costs due to geopolitical tensions and positive economic data. The orders for Polyurethane components HDI rose in the Polyurethane segment amid a rise in demand from the construction sector for stocking purposes amid the anticipation of the revival of construction activities in the North American region with the arrival of spring.
Towards the end of the quarter, HDI prices continued to showcase bullish movement in the USA as orders were firm from the buyers due to the steady demand for Polyurethane components in the manufacturing and construction sectors. In the refrigerators and freezers (cold chain) sector, consumers complained of fridges dying young, which caused a surge in demand for HDI for insulation panel repair and replacement objectives.
APAC
In the first quarter of 2024, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) price trend shifted movement in the APAC region. At the beginning of Q1, prices declined due to sluggish demand from PU foam manufacturers attributed to a slowdown in the furniture market amid the escalation in the cost of raw materials such as timber and plywood. However, demand improved for stocking purposes before the Lunar New Year holidays in major isocyanate producers in China. During the mid-quarter, the feedstock Butadiene costs rose due to an escalation in demand amid the increase in stock replenishment activities at manufacturing units. At the same time, trading activities were affected in the region during the Lunar New Year holidays from 2nd February 2024 till 18th February 2024. As a result, HDI prices escalated amid sluggish trading activities and firm demand from buyers like India due to consistent market offtakes during the wedding season and firm consumption of PU materials from the automotive and manufacturing sectors. However, operating rates and trading activities increased after the reopening of the Chinese market. Towards the quarter's end, the air cargo market witnessed increased demand for the third consecutive month in March, fuelled by the expansion of e-commerce and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, impacting air freight rates and product supplies in the international market amidst moderate demand from buyers.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2024, the European Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market experienced trends akin to those observed in the North American region. Initially, supply chain delays and extended lead times hindered the availability of resources within the regional market. Demand for Polyurethane (PU) component HDI surged amidst consistent consumption of Polyurethane foam and coatings by Automotive manufacturers due to increased orders for electric vehicles following price reductions by industry giants such as Tesla and BYD. Simultaneously, the production rates were affected by elevated energy costs and limited access to Butadiene feedstock, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions stemming from heightened tensions in the Middle East. The situation was further complicated by a missile attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, leading to increased shipping traffic along alternative routes. During the mid-quarter, uncertainties regarding energy security in Europe arose, influenced by a pause in US LNG exports, impacting variable costs across industries. The automotive sector continued to witness heightened demand for lightweight PU materials derived from HDI, attributed to the growing production of electric vehicles. Towards the quarter's conclusion, regional manufacturing units grappled with disruptions to production schedules due to a shortage of skilled labor. It resulted in diminished output rates and escalated operational costs. Additionally, global air cargo demand experienced its third consecutive monthly increase in March, driven by the expanding e-commerce sector and disruptions in shipping routes, particularly in the Red Sea region, leading to fluctuations in air freight rates.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In the North American region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) experienced a bearish price trend during Q4 2023, with prices declining due to low demand and sluggish manufacturing activities in the Polyurethane segment. This price decrease is attributed to depressed consumption rates from end-user industries. Initially, the demand was for Polyurethane materials from the Automotive manufacturers due to a decline in manufacturing activities amid the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.
At the same time, the cost support declined on upstream Butadiene at the beginning of the quarter amid weak demand and a decline in WTI Crude Oil prices due to stabilization in speculations around the supply chain disruptions in the Middle East amid conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist Group. During the mid-quarter, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate inventories were adequately available in the market, and demand remained low from the Polyurethane segment more significantly after Black Friday sales and a decline in sales in the retail sector due to the depressed consumption rates from the end-user Automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Meanwhile, the decrease in Cargo rates, caused by low water levels in the Panama Canal and Mississippi River, negatively impacted trading activities and raised the domestic inventory levels. The price trend remained persistent towards the end of the quarter amid cautious buying activities from buyers. Conclusively, the low demand from the downstream industries, coupled with the introduction of bio-based Polyurethane, negatively impacted the petrochemical-based Polyurethane and Isocyanates market.
Asia
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market situation was bearish due to low to moderate demand from the downstream industries and a decline in manufacturing sector activities, and prices decreased consistently throughout the final quarter of the year 2023. Initially, the upstream Butadiene prices fell due to a decline in upstream Crude Oil prices amid weakening US and European economies, which reduced the production costs, and production rates remained firm in the region. During the mid-quarter, the procurement activities were reduced from the regional buyers with the arrival of winter and Polyurethane components, and PU materials consumption rates remained sluggish from the end-user Automotive and manufacturing sectors. Towards the end of Q4, the destocking practices by the regional isocyanates producers and sluggish consumption rates from the buyers further tilted the prices in the negative direction. Meanwhile, the HDI consumption rates improved from the PU segment as the regional wood furniture market picked up the pace amid an increase in retail sector sales, and PU foam consumption rates improved in the manufacturing sector.
Europe
Like the North American region, the Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) market in Europe showcased bearish movement during the fourth quarter of 2023, with prices declining throughout the quarter. The market was primarily affected by low demand from the Polyurethane segment, as well as sluggish manufacturing activities and decreased offtakes from domestic buyers. Initially, adequate availability of supplies and the switching interest of downstream buyers towards bio-based Polyurethane materials negatively impacted the demand from the buyers. During the mid-quarter, HDI supply rates were firm in the regional market as shipping rates were consistent from the European hubs. The Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index also dropped throughout the quarter, indicating a contraction in the manufacturing sector activities. Towards the end of the quarter, the Wood Furniture market in the European region was negatively impacted due to the bursting of a housing bubble, causing a decline in the demand for wood furniture and a decline for Polyurethane foam from the manufacturing sector. Consequently, the consumption of Polyurethane components diminished, and inventory levels remained firm in the market. Conclusively, Hexamethylene Diisocyanate witnessed a decrease of almost 6% in the region during Q4, 2023.
