For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index rose by 2.30% quarter-over-quarter, supported by firmer imports.
• The average Superabsorbent Polymer price for the quarter was approximately USD 1451.00/MT, reflecting import parity.
• Asian supply discipline lifted the Superabsorbent Polymer Spot Price, tightening landed parity and supporting Price Index.
• Near-term Superabsorbent Polymer Price Forecast shows modest oscillation, influenced by freight costs and balanced import availability.
• Stable acrylic acid reduced the Superabsorbent Polymer Production Cost Trend, easing pressure on domestic producers' margins.
• The Superabsorbent Polymer Demand Outlook remains constructive from hygiene sectors, especially diapers and adult incontinence products.
• Higher transpacific freight supported the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index uplift, constraining some low-priced cargo availability.
• Inventories at Gulf Coast remained balanced, while export demand intermittently supported the Superabsorbent Polymer Spot Price.
Why did the price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in December 2025 in North America?
• Rising transpacific freight and firmer Asian export offers increased landed costs, lifting December import parity.
• Supply remained adequate but selective, as limited low-priced cargoes and logistical delays constrained prompt availability.
• Downstream procurement was steady rather than aggressive, with hygiene sector restocking supporting near-term price resilience.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index rose by 1.71% quarter-over-quarter, due to costs.
• The average Superabsorbent Polymer price for the quarter was approximately USD 1290.00/MT, measured FOB Busan.
• Supply discipline and port delays supported the Superabsorbent Polymer Spot Price, tightening availability, supporting offers.
• Competitive imports limited upside despite Acrylic Acid-driven Superabsorbent Polymer Production Cost Trend pressuring export offers.
• Freight rate increases and improved overseas orders strengthened the Superabsorbent Polymer Demand Outlook, supporting gains.
• Inventory levels remained balanced; the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Forecast indicated limited upside amid downstream consumption.
• Producer operating rates stayed subdued, keeping the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index firm despite manufacturing normalization.
• Buyers showed cautious procurement, buffering short-term demand and moderating pressure on export offers and margins.
Why did the price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Stronger international orders and restarting export flows increased demand, tightening prompt availability and supporting prices.
• Higher overseas freight and rising Acrylic Acid feedstock costs raised delivered costs, pressuring exporters' margins.
• Port delays at Busan constrained shipments while producers maintained controlled operating rates, sustaining price firmness.
Europe
• The European Price Index for Superabsorbent Polymer remained largely stable to mildly bearish during Q4 2025, as adequate supply availability and cautious procurement strategies capped upward price movement.
• The Production Cost Trend eased slightly toward the end of the quarter, supported by softer acrylic acid feedstock prices and relatively stable energy costs, reducing cost-side pressure on producers.
• The Demand Outlook stayed steady, driven by consistent consumption from the hygiene sector, including diapers and adult incontinence products, though demand growth remained limited due to mature market conditions in Europe.
Why did the price of superabsorbent Polymer change in December 2025 in Europe?
• The Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index declined marginally in December 2025 due to year-end inventory clearance by suppliers, subdued spot buying activity, and the absence of strong cost-push pressure from upstream raw materials.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index fell by 3.78% quarter-over-quarter, due to imports.
• The average Superabsorbent Polymer price for the quarter was approximately USD 1418.33/MT, reported by statistics.
• Logistical bottlenecks earlier temporarily pushed the Superabsorbent Polymer Spot Price, extending lead times for buyers.
• Data suggest the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Forecast shows modest recovery as freight and offers stabilize.
• Lower freight and feedstock moderation influenced the Superabsorbent Polymer Production Cost Trend, easing cost pressures.
• Consistent hygiene sector consumption underpins the Superabsorbent Polymer Demand Outlook, maintaining steady offtake and procurement.
• Ample Asian shipments pressured the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index, reducing seller leverage and softening pricing.
• Improving port throughput, tariff changes altered export dynamics, shifting supplier srouting and US import patterns.
Why did the price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in September 2025 in North America?
• Improved freight and abundant Asian shipments reduced landed costs, increasing availability across USGC import channels.
• Tariff suspension on Chinese cargoes encouraged competitive offers, weakening domestic pricing power and reducing margins.
• Steady hygiene demand could not absorb surplus imports, keeping markets balanced and upward pressure muted.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index rose by 0.26% quarter-over-quarter, driven by demand and port constraints.
• The average Superabsorbent Polymer price for the quarter was approximately USD 1268.33/MT on FOB Busan supporting seller margins.
• South Korea's Superabsorbent Polymer Spot Price was firm as acrylic acid costs eased, port congestion limited supply.
• The Superabsorbent Polymer Price Forecast indicates upside risk in Q4 with seasonal hygiene restocking supporting availability.
• Superabsorbent Polymer Production Cost Trend reflects lower acrylic acid prices, offset by higher logistics and export handling.
• Superabsorbent Polymer Demand Outlook remains mixed with strong export bids but muted domestic consumption activity.
• Inventory draws at producers tightened supply, leaving Superabsorbent Polymer Price Index resilient despite subdued orders.
• Export recovery and seasonal restocking likely support FOB Busan margins while inventories gradually normalize into year-end.
Why did the price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Strong export demand, particularly from India, tightened available volumes amid lingering Busan port logistical bottlenecks.
• Acrylic acid feedstock eased, reducing production cost pressures, but higher shipping and handling kept margins constrained.
• Export tariffs and weaker overseas orders intermittently suppressed demand, leading producers to moderate output and inventories.
Europe
European SAP saw mild upward pressure in Q3 2025; the regional Price Index showed stability to slight gains driven by steady hygiene demand and constrained imports.
Imports from Asia and regional production together met demand, but occasional shipment delays and constrained spot volumes tightened short-term availability. Producers optimized allocations to hygiene grade buyers, reducing excess spot selling and supporting the SAP Spot Price.
Near-term outlook points to modest price stability or small upside into Q4 2025 if logistics remain constrained and hygiene demand holds.
Why did the price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in September 2025 in Europe?
Prices increased modestly in September because sustained demand from personal-hygiene manufacturers met with tighter spot availability and logistical friction from Asian export hubs, lifting short-term landed costs.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Throughout Q2 2025, the price of imported Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) in the U.S. showed a mixed trend, influenced by import tariffs, supply constraints in overseas markets, and persistent port congestion issues.
• In April, U.S. containerized import volumes remained high at 2.41M TEUs (+1.2% MoM), with record-low transit delays at U.S. ports. However, near the end of April, Chinese shipments declined significantly (~35% fewer arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles) due to looming tariffs, tightening short-term supply.
• Other Asia-Pacific suppliers, notably South Korea—the world’s largest SAP exporter—and India, helped fill the supply gap. Freight costs eased slightly with Shanghai–LA freight rates down 2%, but recent Peak Season Surcharge hikes by Asia-U.S. carriers added volatility to shipping costs.
• In May, supply remained stable with consistent shipments from Japan, Germany, France, and China, enabling a gradual inventory buildup amid limited drawdowns. Smooth logistics helped keep production costs steady, supporting a stable Superabsorbent polymer Production Cost Trend.
• In June, supply tightened significantly due to congestion at South Korea’s Busan port, delaying shipments and restricting SAP availability to U.S. buyers. This disruption contributed to increased freight costs and extended lead times, directly impacting the Price Index upwards.
Why did the Superabsorbent Polymer Price change in July 2025 in the US?
• The Price Index rose in July 2025 primarily because of export delays and port congestions, notably at critical Asian shipping hubs, restricting supply to the U.S. market. These disruptions increased scarcity, driving prices upward despite steady domestic demand.
• The Demand Outlook remains steady with consistent consumption across key end-use sectors such as detergents, water treatment, and construction materials.
• Given ongoing logistical constraints and cautious market restocking behavior, the Price Forecast for Sodium Silicate points to a continued moderate upward trend through the next quarter. Freight and tariff uncertainties may sustain price volatility in the near term.
Asia
• April 2025: The SAP Price Index in China increased, driven by higher feedstock prices—particularly acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide—which raised overall production costs.
• May 2025: The SAP Price Index declined by 1.42%, reaching approximately USD 1,320/MT FOB Qingdao, as improved supply and increased manufacturing output eased price pressures.
• June 2025: The SAP Price Index edged up by 0.4%, supported by steady downstream demand and strict pricing discipline maintained by producers despite easing feedstock costs.
Why did the Price of Superabsorbent Polymer change in July 2025?
• The SAP Price Index increased in July 2025 as rising feedstock prices and ongoing logistics challenges limited supply growth. Additionally, cautious but steady procurement from downstream users in hygiene and healthcare supported price stability and slight gains despite global trade uncertainties.
• The price forecast for SAP in Asia indicates a stable to slightly bullish trajectory for the coming months, assuming feedstock cost pressures persist, and logistical constraints continue to restrict supply flexibility.
• Production costs for SAP rose through Q2 2025, mainly due to increased costs of acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide. Despite some feedstock price easing by June, transportation and logistics challenges sustained elevated production costs into July.
Europe
• The SAP Price Index in Europe rose in April 2025 and then remained relatively stable over the following months, buoyed by feedstock (especially acrylic acid) inflation and steady downstream demand.
Why did the Price Index change in July 2025?
• In July 2025, the SAP Price Index increased slightly due to persistent feedstock costs and firm consumer and industrial demand, despite moderate logistical improvements.
• Production costs climbed in April and stayed elevated through Q2, primarily due to high acrylic acid prices, fixed energy costs, and moderate freight rate increases impacting producers across Europe.
• Price forecasts for the remainder of Q3 2025 anticipate mild upward pressure, driven by unchanged upstream feedstock costs and ongoing demand from hygiene, medical, and agricultural sectors.
• Demand outlook remains firm across Europe, supported by the hygiene industry (childcare and adult incontinence products), medical uses, and incremental interest in agricultural applications; momentum is expected to continue into late Q3.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) market in the United States faced a bearish trend, driven by weak domestic demand, increased competition from low-cost imports, and rising inflation. The combination of economic pressures, icy weather disruptions, and subdued activity in key sectors like hygiene and agriculture compounded the challenges for local manufacturers.
During January, icy weather impacted production activities at domestic facilities, while cheap imports from Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries flooded the market. The availability of these imports, facilitated by declining freight rates (down by 5% week-on-week early in January), led to heightened inventory levels and increased competitive pressure on domestic producers. The headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.5% month-over-month, reflecting inflationary challenges that further suppressed consumer spending in SAP-dependent sectors.
In February, the market continued its downward trajectory as freight rates from APAC to the U.S. West Coast dropped by 9.23%, reducing import costs and amplifying the influx of cheaper cargoes. SAP prices declined further, reflecting oversupply and moderate downstream demand. The hygiene sector, a primary SAP consumer, showed steady but unremarkable activity, failing to counterbalance the market's oversupply.
By March, SAP prices remained under pressure, with local manufacturers scaling back operations to mitigate losses. Despite steady availability, sluggish demand and competitive pricing have maintained a challenging market environment.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC superabsorbent polymer market exhibited cautious recovery amid subdued manufacturing activity and fluctuating demand. Supply chains faced persistent input cost inflation and logistical delays, prompting firms to adopt inventory reduction strategies and cautious stock management. Demand showed modest improvement driven by restocking efforts and steady consumption in hygiene and agricultural sectors, although export markets remained uneven. Overall, market sentiment remained fragile with balanced supply-demand dynamics and incremental growth prospects as the quarter progressed. In Indian, Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) market experiences a heavy downfall recording a 13.12% decline in first quarter 2025. The abundant supply and excess inventory played a vital role in the sharp drop. Additionally, imports were affected falling by 3.98%, as the domestic market struggled to absorb existing stock.
South Korea's SAP prices increased marginally by 0.23% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, averaging USD 1293/MT. The intra-quarter price trend was relatively flat, reflecting cautious buying amid subdued manufacturing and inventory drawdowns. Price resilience was supported by rising input costs and selective demand recovery, despite fragile export conditions. The market outlook remains stable with anticipated steady demand and moderate price growth driven by restocking and seasonal factors.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2025, the European Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) market witnessed a continued decline, driven by subdued demand and cautious procurement trends across key industries.
The market saw a rise in competition from imported SAP, particularly from Asia, where lower production costs and favorable freight rates allowed suppliers to offer cheaper alternatives. This influx of imports reduced the pricing leverage of European manufacturers, forcing many to adopt competitive pricing strategies to retain market share.
Hygiene products remained the primary application driving SAP demand; however, growth was lackluster, constrained by economic uncertainties and high inflation across the region. Consumers, faced with rising costs, prioritized essential purchases, adopting a conservative approach to buying. This cautious behavior led to subdued order volumes, further weakening market dynamics.
In response to oversupply and high inventory levels, European producers scaled back manufacturing capacities to align with the reduced demand. The overall market sentiment in Q1 2025 remained bearish, reflecting a combination of external economic pressures and regulatory challenges.
