For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in Q4 2024 witnessed a declining price trend compared to Q3. This decrease was primarily driven by weak demand from key downstream sectors, including detergents, water treatment, and industrial applications, which experienced reduced activity due to seasonal slowdowns and colder weather conditions.
Supply remained stable, supported by adequate production levels, despite logistical challenges like port congestion and labor strikes in Canada, which added complexities to the supply chain. Freight rates rose slightly in some regions, exerting mild pressure, but they did not significantly disrupt product availability.
Global demand, particularly from Europe and Asia, remained sluggish, contributing to an oversupply scenario and further downward pressure on prices. The subdued trade activity and slower industrial growth created a challenging environment for SHMP producers, with prices continuing to decline throughout the quarter. By the end of Q4, the market reflected a cautious outlook, constrained by weak domestic consumption and persistent external economic uncertainties.
APAC
Throughout Q4 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in Asia experienced a sustained price decline, primarily driven by weakened demand from key sectors like detergents and cleaning products, leading to oversupply. Despite slight increases in phosphoric acid prices, ample SHMP inventories and reduced consumption maintained downward pressure on prices. The market sentiment remained cautious with low optimism for a near-term recovery, as demand stayed weak both domestically and in broader Asian markets. Seasonal trends, including year-end holidays and festivities, further dampened manufacturing activity and demand. Although feedstock costs stabilized, manufacturers adjusted production strategies to align with the anticipated seasonal slowdown, aiming to balance supply amid ongoing demand softness. Preparations for the upcoming Spring Festival in January 2025 provided a cautiously positive outlook, with restocking activities expected to lend modest support to SHMP demand, fostering temporary price stabilization. China recorded a significant price drop of 6% compared to the previous quarter, with the quarter-ending price at USD 1069/MT FOB Qingdao in December 2024. However, the overall recovery remained uncertain amid ongoing market and economic challenges.
Europe
The European Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market experienced a consistent decline in Q4 2024, with prices decreasing by 9% compared to the previous quarter. Weak demand from key downstream sectors, particularly detergents and cleaning agents, drove the downturn. Seasonal factors, including the typical year-end slowdown and colder weather, further dampened consumption, while geopolitical uncertainties and economic pressures compounded market challenges. Despite sufficient domestic inventories and stable production, sluggish demand and reduced industrial activity weighed heavily on prices. The ample availability of phosphoric acid, a critical SHMP feedstock, along with lower import costs, exerted additional pressure on market values. Efficient port operations and lower freight rates helped mitigate supply chain disruptions, ensuring stable product availability throughout the region. Prices showed a steady downward trend during Q4, with a 3.5% drop in October, a 1.7% decline in November, and a further 3.2% decrease in December. By the end of December 2024, SHMP CFR Rotterdam stood at USD 1259/MT. Market participants faced challenges from muted global demand, geopolitical instability, and weak industrial output, leaving little room for recovery in the near term.
MEA
In Q4 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) experienced a 6% decline in prices compared to the previous quarter, driven by weak demand from key downstream sectors such as detergents and cleaning agents. Seasonal slowdowns in manufacturing activities, coupled with subdued procurement during the holiday season, further weighed on consumption levels. Additionally, lower phosphoric acid prices, a critical raw material for SHMP production, intensified cost-related downward pressure. Despite some supply-side challenges stemming from adverse weather and geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, ample inventories and steady imports ensured a stable supply, preventing significant shortages. However, the market remained under pressure from oversupply and limited demand recovery. Logistical costs eased slightly due to lower container rates, but disruptions in trade routes and cautious buying behavior persisted, reflecting broader economic uncertainties. By the end of the quarter, the SHMP price stood at USD 1144/MT CFR Jebel Ali. With steady supply and subdued consumption, market participants adopted a cautious outlook, anticipating continued price pressure in the near term as demand-side challenges and economic uncertainties overshadow recovery prospects. The market's performance highlighted its vulnerability to both sector-specific and broader macroeconomic factors.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Sodium Hexametaphosphate market faced a significant decline in pricing, influenced by several critical factors. When compared to both the same period last year and the preceding quarter, prices exhibited a consistent downward trajectory. This decline was primarily driven by weak demand from downstream industries, particularly in the detergents and cleaning products sectors, which notably curtailed purchasing activity.
Focusing on the USA, which experienced the most substantial fluctuations, the market showcased a distinctly negative pricing environment throughout the quarter. This trend was indicative of the prevailing bearish sentiment among market participants, as buyers exhibited caution in their purchasing decisions.
The ongoing decrease in prices underscores the persistent challenges confronting the Sodium Hexametaphosphate market, characterized by subdued demand and the downward pricing pressure stemming from falling feedstock costs. Market dynamics suggest that Sodium Hexametaphosphate producers will need to adapt strategically to these evolving conditions to maintain their competitiveness. As they navigate this challenging landscape, addressing demand fluctuations and optimizing production costs will be essential for long-term sustainability in the industry.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in the APAC region witnessed a significant decline in prices, primarily driven by weak demand and stable supply conditions. Several key factors contributed to this downward trend, including reduced demand from the surfactant industry and an ample supply of SHMP in the market. The combination of these elements created a challenging pricing environment, as the surplus supply outpaced the declining consumption. Further, the feedstock prices Phosphoric Acid and Soda Ash, helped maintain price equilibrium despite broader market challenges. However, this stability was not enough to counteract the impact of weak downstream demand. China, a major player in the APAC market, saw the most significant fluctuations in SHMP pricing. Prices in the country dropped noticeably compared to both the same quarter last year and the preceding quarter of 2024, reflecting the broader regional trend. By the end of the quarter, the price of Sodium Hexametaphosphate FOB Qingdao (China) stood at USD 1135/MT, highlighting the prevailing negative sentiment in the market. These market conditions indicate that industry participants may need to reassess their strategies, particularly regarding pricing and production, to navigate the complexities of the evolving SHMP landscape in the APAC region.
Europe
In the third quarter of 2024, the European Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market faced considerable challenges, marked by a continuous decline in prices. This downward trend was driven by several key factors, including weakened demand from downstream industries such as detergents and water treatment, alongside an oversupply of SHMP in the market. Additionally, the reduction in feedstock costs, particularly those of phosphoric acid and soda ash, further contributed to the softening of SHMP prices. The influence of imported materials from China, which remained competitively priced, also played a crucial role in driving down domestic prices across Europe during this period. The Netherlands stood out as a central point of significant price fluctuations within the region, reflecting how local supply-demand imbalances mirrored broader market trends. By the end of the quarter, the price of SHMP had decreased to USD 1370/MT CFR Rotterdam, highlighting the extent of the negative pricing pressure. This persistent decline reflects the broader difficulties faced by the European SHMP market, compounded by global economic uncertainties, low industrial activity, and lackluster demand from key end-use sectors. Overall, Q3 2024 presented a challenging environment for SHMP producers, who struggled to navigate the complexities of an oversupplied market with weak demand.
MEA
In Q3 2024, the Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region faced significant challenges, marked by a notable decline in prices. This downward trend was driven by a combination of factors that underscored the difficult market conditions. The primary cause was weakened demand from key downstream sectors, particularly the surfactant industry, which affected both domestic consumption and international trade. This decline in demand placed substantial pressure on SHMP prices across the region. Additionally, the cost of imported SHMP from Asian markets eased, contributing to reduced pricing pressures in the MEA region. Supply chain disruptions, including vessel delays and ongoing geopolitical tensions, further complicated market dynamics, exacerbating the already declining prices. Despite stable feedstock prices, global economic uncertainties continued to impact the market, creating a persistently negative pricing environment. The UAE emerged as a focal point for the most significant price fluctuations within the region. By the close of Q3 2024, the price of SHMP in the UAE was assessed at USD 1195/MT CFR Jebel Ali, reflecting the extent of the negative pricing dynamics. These conditions highlight the complexities facing the MEA SHMP market, with weak demand and supply disruptions contributing to ongoing pricing struggles
