For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American hydrogen peroxide market experienced a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 1.4%, driven by seasonal factors and evolving dynamics in downstream industries. The demand for hydrogen peroxide declined notably from the textile and paper industries, key consumers of the product. The onset of the winter season marked a downturn in seasonal demand, particularly in the textile sector, where hydrogen peroxide is widely used as a bleaching agent. Similarly, in the paper and pulp industry, the demand for bleached paper shipments fell, while unbleached paper shipments gained traction, reflecting shifts in market preferences.
Despite a bearish demand outlook, supply levels remained ample due to high inventories and stable production rates. Lower energy costs, influenced by declining crude oil prices, helped maintain manageable production costs, preventing significant disruptions in manufacturing. However, the oversupply and lacklustre demand exerted downward pressure on hydrogen peroxide prices throughout the quarter.
Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, and delayed production decisions by OPEC+ further influenced market sentiment. As the quarter progressed, the market stabilized in December due to steady demand and supply dynamics ahead of the holiday season. However, the subdued activity across key downstream sectors continued to cap any significant price recovery, maintaining the cautious sentiment in the hydrogen peroxide market.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the hydrogen peroxide market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, particularly in Japan, exhibited a significant quarter-on-quarter decrease of 7.9%, driven by a combination of oversupply and subdued demand across key downstream sectors. Seasonal variations contributed to declining consumption levels, especially in industries such as textiles and cleaning applications, which are major consumers of hydrogen peroxide. This seasonal downturn was further exacerbated by reduced manufacturing activities, leading to lower overall demand. On the supply side, robust production rates and ample inventory levels created a surplus in the market, which intensified the downward pressure on prices. Hydrogen peroxide production, being energy-intensive, also faced cost fluctuations influenced by energy price dynamics, but the consistent oversupply outpaced actual consumption. Manufacturers attempted to balance the market by adjusting inventory levels, yet the surplus remained a persistent issue. Currency fluctuations, including the depreciation of the Japanese Yen, further impacted pricing dynamics, adding to operational challenges for manufacturers. Despite these pressures, the market managed to maintain stable supply levels. However, with demand failing to recover meaningfully, the hydrogen peroxide market in Japan remained bearish throughout the quarter, reflecting the broader challenges in the APAC region.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the hydrogen peroxide market in Europe, particularly Germany, faced a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 7.0%, driven by weak demand, oversupply, and declining energy costs. Seasonal demand from key sectors such as paper and pulp, chemicals, textiles, and disinfectants weakened significantly, leading to reduced consumption. Increased competition among manufacturers further pressured prices, as companies sought to attract buyers in a challenging market environment. Despite robust production and stable natural gas supplies, the market faced an oversupply scenario, with high inventory levels adding to the downward pressure. Declining energy costs due to lower crude oil prices helped reduce production expenses but did not offset the impact of subdued demand. Procurement activity remained limited, reflecting cautious sentiment among market players. The European paper and pulp industry, a major consumer of hydrogen peroxide, struggled with high stock levels and unplanned shutdowns due to unsold inventories and price pressures. Although demand from other sectors remained consistent, it was insufficient to counterbalance the challenges faced by the market. By the end of the quarter, the market achieved a balance between supply and demand, leading to price stabilization. However, overall bearishness defined the hydrogen peroxide market in Germany throughout Q4 2024.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Hydrogen Peroxide market experienced a notable increase in prices, with the USA leading the price surge. Several significant factors influenced this upward trend. Strong demand from key sectors like healthcare, water treatment, textiles, and electronics drove prices up, supported by strategic restocking activities and anticipation of higher export orders for international demand during the holiday season. Supply chain constraints and higher feedstock costs further heightened price pressures.
The USA, witnessing the most substantial price changes, saw a 26% increase from the same quarter last year and a 9% increase from the previous quarter in 2024. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a 2% increase.
Despite seasonal slowdowns in industrial activities towards year-end holidays, the overall pricing environment remained positive, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 796/MT for Hydrogen Peroxide 50% FOB Illinois in the USA. This consistent upward trajectory reflected a bullish sentiment in the pricing dynamics.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Hydrogen Peroxide market in the APAC region witnessed a consistent decline in prices, reflecting a challenging quarter for the industry. Several factors contributed to this downward trend. Oversupply, subdued demand from key sectors, and fluctuations in raw material costs played significant roles in influencing market prices. Japan, in particular, experienced the most pronounced price changes, with a 26% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. This downward trajectory continued from the previous quarter, recording a -14% change. Notably, within Q3 2024, the first half of the quarter saw a 15% decline in prices compared to the second half. The quarter ended with Hydrogen Peroxide priced at USD 395/MT CFR Tokyo in Japan. Overall, the pricing environment in Japan reflected a negative sentiment, with a consistent decrease in prices driven by market dynamics and external factors impacting the industry.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Hydrogen Peroxide market in Europe experienced a notable increase in prices, with the Netherlands witnessing the most significant changes. The market dynamics were influenced by rising demand from various sectors such as healthcare, water treatment, and textiles, driving up prices. Supply chain constraints and higher feedstock costs like natural gas played a crucial role in the price surge. The market trend in the Netherlands reflected broader European patterns, where increasing demand and constrained supply led to a bullish pricing environment. The price change of 5% from the same quarter last year indicated a steady upward trajectory, with a 6% increase from the previous quarter in 2024 further reinforcing the positive trend. The 3% price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter highlighted a consistent rise. The quarter-ending price of USD 410/MT of Hydrogen Peroxide FOB Rotterdam in the Netherlands solidified the overall increasing sentiment in the market, demonstrating a robust pricing environment characterized by upward price movements.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed a substantial escalation in hydrogen peroxide prices across North America. This period has been marked by a confluence of influential factors that have driven market prices upward, reflecting a bullish sentiment throughout the quarter. Supply constraints, attributed to limited availability of key raw materials and logistical challenges, have significantly contributed to the price surge. Additionally, heightened demand from critical downstream industries such as pulp and paper, textiles, and pharmaceuticals has exerted upward pressure on hydrogen peroxide prices. The increased cost of natural gas, a pivotal feedstock, has further inflated production expenses, thereby elevating market prices.
Focusing exclusively on the USA, where the most pronounced price changes occurred, hydrogen peroxide prices have displayed a robust upward trend. Seasonal demands, particularly from the textile sector, and increased procurement activities in the pharmaceutical industry have amplified this trend. The price of hydrogen peroxide saw a significant year-over-year increase, underscoring the considerable inflationary pressures compared to the same quarter last year. From the previous quarter, prices surged substantially, highlighting sustained upward momentum. The first half of the quarter saw a 5% price increase compared to the latter half, indicating a consistent rise in market valuation.
By the end of Q2 2024, the price of hydrogen peroxide 50% FOB Illinois in the USA reached USD 780/MT, signalling a positive pricing environment. This consistent increase reflects the interplay of limited supply, higher production costs, and strong demand, affirming a favourable market sentiment throughout the quarter.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the hydrogen peroxide market in the APAC region experienced a notable upward trajectory, driven by a confluence of factors that have influenced market prices significantly. Increased demand from crucial downstream industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and FMCG was pivotal, alongside disruptions in production capacities due to geopolitical tensions and supply chain constraints. Escalating production costs, influenced by rising feedstock prices, particularly natural gas and oxygen, further exacerbated the price surge. Additionally, heightened industrial activities and robust economic recovery post-pandemic contributed to a sustained demand increase, compelling market participants to adjust prices accordingly. Focusing exclusively on Japan, which observed the most pronounced price changes, the hydrogen peroxide market exhibited distinct seasonal and trend-driven behaviours. The overall trend was bullish, reflecting a heightened demand across various sectors, particularly textiles and healthcare. The seasonality effect, marked by increased industrial activities in Q2, amplified the demand, leading to a notable price increase from the previous quarter in 2024. When compared to the same quarter last year, prices exhibited a nominal rise, indicating a steady upward trend. The first half of the quarter saw a 2% price increase compared to the latter half, showcasing a consistent demand trajectory. The pricing environment in Japan has been robust and positive, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 514/MT for hydrogen peroxide CFR Tokyo. This consistent increase underscores the market's resilience and the strategic adjustments made by industry participants to navigate the dynamic economic landscape effectively. The overall sentiment in the market remains optimistic, with sustained high demand and stable supply conditions reinforcing the positive pricing trend.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the hydrogen peroxide 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 textiles and paper industries, played a significant role in this pricing decline. The reduction in natural gas 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 hydrogen peroxide 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 pulp and paper. 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, hydrogen peroxide prices fell significantly, reflecting a substantial year-on-year decline. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices decreased further by 12%, underscoring a persistent negative sentiment in the market. Within the quarter, prices saw a slight dip of 1% between the first and second half, indicating a continuous but moderate downward trend. Concluding the quarter, the price of hydrogen peroxide settled at USD 380/MT FOB Hamburg, Germany, epitomizing the negative pricing environment that has prevailed throughout Q2 2024.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
In Q1 2024, the North American Hydrogen Peroxide market saw significant changes, concluding with a price hike in March to USD 682 per MT for 50% grade on FOB – Illinois basis. The year kicked off with a slight decline in price due to a decrease in orders from downstream industries, notably paper and disinfectants, leading to a cautious buying environment and a surplus in supply.
Suppliers in the U.S. faced a sluggish market, with no immediate signs of demand picking up from within the region or internationally, resulting in conservative pricing strategies to remain competitive. However, as the quarter progressed, demand began to rebound, driven by the increasing need for hydrogen peroxide in water treatment and sanitation applications, alongside its traditional use in the pulp and paper industry. February marked a pivotal point with a 6.9% rise in prices, reflecting the escalating need for hydrogen peroxide in various industrial processes, including agriculture, where its use is growing to enhance crop yields.
March witnessed a substantial 10% price surge due to a complex interplay of factors, including an upturn in industrial demand and shifting feedstock prices. While the manufacturing PMI indicated an easing in new orders, possibly signalling a softening in manufacturing conditions, the demand for hydrogen peroxide remained robust, reinforced by its expanding role in environmental applications and the healthcare sector for sterilization and disinfection. Supply chains, initially disrupted, recovered, with suppliers managing to meet the increased demands.
APAC
In Q1 2024, the APAC Hydrogen Peroxide market experienced significant changes, ending March with a notable price increase to USD 580 per MT on spot Ex – Shanghai basis. The year began with the market reeling from sluggish demand, especially from the paper and printing industry, leading to a slight dip in prices. Maintenance shutdowns by several manufacturers tightened supply momentarily, but the downward trend in demand kept the market down overall. February marked a turning point with a sharp 19% rise in prices, stimulated by a post-Chinese New Year upsurge in demand across diverse industries like textiles, paper and pulp, and cosmetics. Reduced production during the holiday period, along with lowered imports due to global supply chain issues, strained supply and pushed prices upward. In March, the market saw initial volatility with prices dipping and then rebounding strongly by the end of the month. The price fluctuations mirrored a broader pattern of recovery in industrial demand. The manufacturing PMI growth in China, indicating increased production and business activities, reflected positively on hydrogen peroxide demand. By late March, despite rising costs for base materials and energy, suppliers met the surging demand from key sectors, which included rubber in addition to the ongoing needs of textiles, beverages, and pulp and paper industries, culminating in the price peak.
Europe
Throughout Q1 2024, the European Hydrogen Peroxide market, particularly in Germany, experienced a range of fluctuations, culminating in a significant price rise to USD 352 per MT on FOB – Hamburg basis in March. The quarter started with a market contraction, as production scaled back in response to a slowdown in orders across various industries. The stabilization of manufacturing costs for Hydrogen Peroxide helped maintain prices early on, despite broader economic challenges that led to adjustments in procurement and production strategies. February marked a pivotal shift, with prices jumping by 4.8%, influenced by tighter supply chains and sustained demand across diverse sectors such as electronics, wastewater treatment, and textiles. Entering March, prices saw a further 7.6% increase. This escalation was underpinned by robust demand in established sectors like paper and pulp, as well as emerging applications in environmental management and industrial disinfection. Despite a dip in the manufacturing PMI indicating a potential softening of manufacturing conditions, domestic producers ramped up capacity in anticipation of rising domestic and international demand.
