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Showing posts from February, 2024

Cyclohexanone Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America The North American Cyclohexanone market has witnessed a bearish trend in Q4 2023, primarily due to the expected restrictions on vessels' transition through the Neopanamax locks, which have hampered the supply chain. Furthermore, the reducing domestic petrochemical production capacity and overseas supplier inventory due to oil production cuts by major producers have also affected the prices.  The limited inventory of Cyclohexanone in the domestic market has led to further price hikes, while decreasing downstream demand has supported a price drop. The recent visit of US President Joe Biden to Vietnam and the upgrade of bilateral relations between the two nations have opened up new growth opportunities in the textile industry, particularly in garment exports.  The last quarter of 2023 has seen the shutdown of Shell Chemicals Acetone and Phenol solvent unit in Deer Park, Texas, US. The reduced stockpile in the US has caused higher imports of commodities from various ...

Cyclohexane Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America Cyclohexane prices in the North American market have demonstrated a bullish trend, despite encountering a substantial drop of approximately 20% in the prices of the feedstock Benzene.  The prevailing dynamics in the U.S.  Cyclohexane Prices  have been primarily influenced by constrained supplies of the product, resulting in a notable shortage. The demand for Cyclohexane remained robust, particularly driven by the Mexican market, contributing to the bullish market conditions. The flourishing automotive and construction sectors in Mexico continued to exert pressure on the paint and coating industry, generating heightened demand for exports in the U.S. market.  Towards the conclusion of December 2023, the U.S. automotive industry experienced a notable recovery, with sales witnessing an increase of almost 13%. Simultaneously, the construction sector showed signs of improvement, characterized by augmented funding injections and an upswing in hotel const...

Corn Starch Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America: During the fourth quarter of 2023 in the North America region, the Corn Starch market and prices were influenced by several factors. Notably, Corn Starch prices experienced a significant decline primarily due to ample inventories and a subdued demand outlook from downstream industries. This surplus of Corn Starch led to a downward pressure on prices. Furthermore, the global increase in shipping costs and fluctuations in the price of the raw material, Corn, also contributed to the overall price decrease. The market situation was constrained as manufacturing activity decreased, and there was a weakening demand for goods manufactured in the United States. Reduced international demand, especially from China, prompted Chinese provinces to adjust their export prices downward, adding to the downward pressure on prices in the US market. The decline in prices, which coincided with a expansion of crop acreage by US farmers in the previous year in response to high prices, aligned w...

Copper Sulphate Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America In North America, Copper Sulphate demand remains steady, driven by agriculture, water treatment, and industrial uses, with sectors like construction and infrastructure susceptible to fluctuations based on ongoing projects and economic conditions. The prices of Copper Sulphate have remained firm in the US throughout the Q4 2023. While North American production capacity meets demand and global supply remains balanced, regional logistical challenges or unexpected production halts could disrupt supply temporarily, impacting prices. The volatile price of copper metal, a key ingredient, affects production costs, potentially leading to upward adjustments in  Copper Sulphate prices  if volatility persists. Additionally, evolving environmental regulations concerning copper compounds may increase production costs in the long term, possibly resulting in price adjustments across North America. Asia Pacific In Q4 2023, the Asia Pacific Copper Sulphate market experienced dynam...

Copper Rod Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America The fourth quarter of 2023 witnessed a nuanced landscape for Copper Rod in North America, marked by distinct factors shaping market dynamics. Market resilience emerged as a key theme, with steady demand and supply chain adaptability providing a stable foundation. Geopolitical considerations added an element of caution, contributing to a carefully navigated pricing trajectory. The USA, at the forefront of these developments, experienced significant price adjustments, reflecting a calculated decline by 2% change from the previous quarter. This quarter's performance showcased a feeble correlation between market trends, seasonality, and pricing adjustments. As the quarter concluded, Copper Rod (C110-1 inch) DEL Alabama in the USA stood at USD 15,458/MT, encapsulating the quarter's dynamic interplay of factors. The top reasons, intricately woven into the narrative, encompassed market demand resilience, strategic supply chain management, and geopolitical nuances. The co...

Colloidal Silicon Dioxide Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Colloidal Silicon Dioxide market in North America encountered hurdles, witnessing price and supply fluctuations due to various factors. Firstly, the market struggled with restricted inventories, leading to a limited supply of Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, mainly due to weakened trading ties with major exporting nations. Secondly, demand for Colloidal Silicon Dioxide remained steady throughout the quarter, fueled by consistent usage in the nutraceutical and healthcare sectors. Lastly, inflationary pressures and increased transportation expenses contributed to an overall price hike. The strengthening of the dollar against currencies like the Chinese yuan resulted in escalated import costs, further impacting Colloidal Silicon Dioxide pricing. In the USA, the largest market in North America,  Colloidal Silicon Dioxide prices  experienced slight growth in the fourth quarter. Despite concerns regarding inflation and higher prices, co...

Citric Acid Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America:  In the North America region, the Citric Acid market in the fourth quarter of 2023 faced several significant factors that impacted prices. Firstly, until the first half of the quarter, there was an overall improvement in the domestic market situation, with increased demand and replenishment of inventories. This was driven by rising input-cost inflation and a surge in domestic inquiries, particularly due to the onset of the winter season. Additionally, the import market experienced supply challenges, with limited inventories among suppliers and a decrease in imports from key exporting countries from H2 of Q4 2023.  For the domestic market of Citric Acid, it witnessed a notable increase in Citric Acid prices throughout the quarter with prices inclining from $2370/mt to $2450/mt between October and December. This was influenced by rising wages and energy prices, which caused inflationary pressures throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, the decrease in import vol...

Chloroform Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America Chloroform pricing in North America region during Q4 2023 witnessed a fluctuating trend. The market sentiments were robust due to the low supply of regional products resulting in Chlor alkali companies elevating their production pace. Nevertheless, bullish demand and reviving market fundamentals elevated the price trend, supported by the low inventories of Chloroform and brisk demand. The surging product demand from the downstream R-22 refrigerant market also helped in increasing the prices. The stability in the supply/demand equilibrium and moderate demand from the downstream R-22 refrigerant ventures remained the primary reason for price stability. The USA had the maximum change in prices with a weekly incline of 2.15%. The price trend was elevated by the heightening demand from downstream refrigerant industries, increase in trading market, and supply disruption for the exports of cargos from the US to the overseas market. There was no plant shutdown during this quarter...

CPVC Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America The Chlorinated PVC market in North America exhibited overall favorable conditions, with prices initially experiencing a decline in October but subsequently increasing in November and December of the fourth quarter of 2024.  The initial decrease of 2.5% in October was attributed to reduced demand from the plumbing industry within the construction sector, influenced by a decline in house sales due to elevated mortgage rates. However, a positive rebound occurred in the remaining period of the fourth quarter. This resurgence was driven by a thriving construction sector in the United States, marked by increased hotel construction, rising prices of feedstocks VCM and EDC, and heightened demand from the importing Mexican market.  The construction sector in Mexico displayed robust performance, supported by the Mexican government's elevated investment in construction and a sustained increase in employment during the entire fourth quarter of 2023, driven by growing nearsh...

Chequered Plate Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America In the fourth quarter of 2023, the North American Chequered Plate market experienced a slight declining trend amidst several significant factors that impacted prices. Initially, the Chequered Plate prices in the US surged due to heightened demand from the chemical and automotive industries, coupled with limited upstream material supply. Despite robust economic indicators, the EU and the US failed to resolve a steel dispute. Metallurgical coke and non-coking coal prices rose globally.  However, in December, Chequered Plate prices in the US declined due to increased production, reduced consumption, and a rise in supply from key producer Outokumpu. Surpluses in Nickel and Chequered Plate Scrap persisted. The Australian coal industry faced disruptions, impacting market dynamics. Meanwhile, the wind power sector is expected to surpass coal in electricity generation by 2026. In December, Chequered Plate prices remained low in the US due to high inventory levels, reduced dow...

Cellulose Ether Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America During the challenging fourth quarter of 2023, the North American Cellulose Ether market encountered significant obstacles driven by three primary factors.  Firstly, the demand for Cellulose Ether remained low in both domestic and international markets, attributed to a slowdown in the construction industry. This decline was influenced by high labor costs, escalating material prices, and the onset of the winter lull. Secondly, the market witnessed ample product availability, ensuring stable supplies throughout the quarter. Finally, market sentiment stayed bearish, resulting in a 4% decline in prices.  However, a positive shift occurred in the middle of the fourth quarter, driven by seasonal demand from the automotive sector and preparations for restocking activities associated with Christmas and the winter season. This induced optimism among traders, anticipating high demand from the downstream FMCG sector. In summary, the North American Cellulose Ether market fac...

Caustic Potash Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America The Caustic Potash market in North America witnessed stable pricing trends during the fourth quarter of 2023 due to balanced market situations and moderate to high demand from downstream industries like agrochemical and cleaning. The top three factors that affected the market were the shortage of supplies, increasing input costs, and high levels of pre-procured inventories. The shutdown of any plant was not reported during this quarter. In the USA,  Caustic Potash prices  remained stagnant throughout the quarter, with a slight incline of 0.5% in December due to the pause in purchasing sentiments. The demand for Caustic Potash in the downstream Agrochemical segment showed a marginal momentum due to the harvesting season and increased international offtakes. The forecasted price trend for Caustic Potash in the USA was expected to decline in December 2023 due to destocking sentiments among market players and shortage of supplies. The price percentage change from the...

Carnitine Prices, Pricing, Demand & Supply

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North America The Carnitine market in North America encountered challenges during the fourth quarter of 2023, experiencing fluctuations in prices and supply due to several factors. Firstly, the market grappled with limited inventories, resulting in a constrained supply of Carnitine, primarily stemming from weakened trading activities with major exporting nations. Secondly, demand for Carnitine remained moderate throughout the quarter, driven by consistent consumption in the nutraceutical and healthcare sectors. Lastly, inflationary pressures and heightened transportation costs contributed to an overall increase in prices. The strength of the dollar against currencies like the Chinese yuan led to higher import costs, further impacting Carnitine pricing. In the USA, the largest market in North America, Carnitine prices saw a marginal increase in the fourth quarter. Despite concerns surrounding inflation and elevated prices, consumers exhibited confidence in the US economy. The steady dem...