Benzyl Chloride Price Trend and Forecast

Benzyl Chloride Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Benzyl Chloride in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Benzyl Chloride Price Trend for the First Half of 2024

Asia

In the first half of 2024, benzyl chloride prices in Asia showed fluctuations influenced by its feedstock materials, benzene and chlorine. In the first quarter, prices in the Chinese market experienced modest improvement due to rising demand from the downstream polymer and rubber sectors and increasing costs of feedstocks, linked to a global rise in petroleum and petrochemical prices. Meanwhile, the Indian market initially faced some inventory pressure but quickly stabilized as feedstock costs inclined.
 

Benzyl Chloride Price Chart

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In the second quarter, benzyl chloride prices oscillated due to conflicting trends in feedstock prices, with benzene and toluene declining while chlorine prices rose. Demand remained relatively stable, but the general outlook for petrochemicals was subdued, especially in China due to limited offshore trade and buoyant in India due to the election season. Overall, a weak market trend was observed by the end of the period.

Europe

In Europe, benzyl chloride prices in the first half of 2024 were affected by ongoing trade difficulties and geopolitical tensions. During the first quarter, the market struggled due to subdued consumption patterns despite some cost support from rising crude oil prices. The complicated international trade environment, further aggravated by conflicts in the Middle East, kept prices confined within a narrow range. In the second quarter, prices continued to oscillate, with trade sentiments slightly improving as European markets adapted to the new trade dynamics post-Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite these adjustments, supply chain restrictions limited significant price movements, keeping the overall price trajectory tepid.

North America

In North America, benzyl chloride prices in the first half of 2024 showed mixed trends. In the first quarter, the market benefitted from a rise in upstream production costs and steady regional demand, contributing to a relatively stable price performance. However, by the second quarter, prices remained subdued due to declining crude oil prices and lackluster downstream demand. Discussions within OPEC about extending voluntary production cuts helped stabilize the global oil market, indirectly keeping benzyl chloride prices in a consolidated range. Overall, a weak market performance characterized the second quarter, with limited prospects for significant price improvement.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the global Benzyl Chloride markets are expected to stabilize further in the coming months. The ongoing trend does not project much improvement in prices moving ahead.
 

Benzyl Chloride Price Trend for the Second Half of 2023

Asia

In the second half of 2023, the price trend for benzyl chloride in Asia was influenced heavily by the movements of its feedstocks, benzene and chlorine. The market faced a decline initially due to subdued downstream demand from key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and fertilizers, compounded by a struggling supply environment. As production costs for benzene and chlorine began to rise later in the period, this provided some upward momentum for benzyl chloride prices. However, by the final quarter, a combination of weak market sentiments, declining feedstock costs, and excess inventories kept the market under pressure, resulting in an overall bearish trend for the period.

Europe

In Europe, the price trend for benzyl chloride in the second half of 2023 was initially on a downward trajectory due to reduced consumption from industries such as fragrances and medicines, the broader economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation, and rising interest rates. However, towards the end of the period, an improvement in the feedstock prices, particularly benzene and chlorine, helped to stabilize benzyl chloride prices. Despite some supply chain issues due to disturbed ocean freight, the market sentiment remained largely positive, and prices showed signs of recovery supported by better downstream demand.

North America

In North America, benzyl chloride prices in the latter half of 2023 fluctuated within a narrow range. Initially, the market suffered from weak demand and limited supply. However, as the cost of feedstock materials, benzene and chlorine, began to increase, this led to higher production costs, which in turn provided a boost to benzyl chloride prices. Towards the end of the period, demand dynamics showed some improvement, aided by a stronger USD, although geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas, created additional uncertainties in the market. Overall, the price trend for benzyl chloride remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, with the looming uncertainties around global markets and supply chains, the market projections going forward are uncertain; consolidation in prices is expected.
 

Benzyl Chloride Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The Benzyl Chloride market experienced consistent depreciation in the first two quarters of the year 2023. Despite some reverse fluctuations, the overall tilt for price trend was still negative. A decline in demand from the downstream pharma, chemical, plastics, dyes, agriculture, resin, perfume, etc., industries was the primary reason behind this downfall.

In China, the economy was still struggling with the post-lockdown consequences, so the end consumer offtakes were considerably reduced. While in India, the upstream situation was easing consistently. So, the production and transportation costs were reduced, which further decreased the upstream cost support for Benzyl Chloride in the region. Overall, negative market trend were observed.

Europe

The European Benzyl Chloride markets observed a mixed price trend during the first half of the year 2023. The first quarter started on a fairly positive note. As the trade disruptions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine started subsiding, the market queries rose for Benzyl Chloride.

Both domestic and offshore purchases were optimistic. Stability in the crude oil prices after a long time also helped the Benzyl Chloride market. However, by the middle of the second quarter, the inventory size started dominating the market outlook, and the suppliers had to cut down the selling prices in order to maintain the market momentum.

North America

In a similar run to the European market, the Benzyl Chloride prices in the American market oscillated throughout the said period. With stable supply and demand dynamics in the first quarter, the price curve was almost flat. However, a glut in supplies pushed the trend down in the following quarter.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, further oscillations are anticipated in the Benzyl Chloride market in the coming months. Since most major markets have uninterrupted supplies, the demand patterns will be crucial for price trend.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Benzyl Chloride. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.