Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend and Forecast

Dibutyl Phthalate Regional Price Overview

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

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend For the Q3 of 2024

Asia

The dibutyl phthalate (DBP) market showed consistent price declines throughout Q3'24, primarily driven by falling feedstock costs. Both the key raw materials - naphthalene and butanol - recorded significant price drops in the Asian markets. Chinese demand remained particularly weak in the plasticizer segment, with major manufacturers operating at reduced rates.
 

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The construction sector slowdown further impacted adhesives and sealants consumption, pushing DBP prices lower. Several producers cut their operating rates in September to manage growing inventories, but this had limited impact on price stabilization.

Europe

European DBP prices witnessed a downward trajectory, influenced by sluggish downstream demand and cheaper raw material costs. The downstream sector showed minimal buying interest affecting the manufacturing activity levels. Producers focused on inventory management rather than maintaining price levels, accepting lower margins to maintain market share.

North America

The US domestic market registered steady price decreases as feedstock costs declined. US producers reported growing inventory pressure despite production adjustments as the terminal demand fell. The flexible PVC segment, typically a major consumer, showed limited buying interest amid uncertain economic conditions.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price for Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is expected to remain bearish in the coming quarter. Lower demand combined with adequate supply levels and falling production costs will likely impact the overall market dynamics.
 

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Asia

The second quarter primarily remained under the pressure of an excessive supply of dibutyl phthalate, leading to the southward movement of its price trend in most Asian countries, particularly China. Additionally, the modest demand of its downstream industries and low-cost support of its upstream materials further exerted additional pressure on the market. This declining trend of the market was further compounded by depreciation in the cost of production because of the ample supply of feedstock materials.

The seasonal stocking by the traders and end-user industries before the holiday season provided some momentum to the market, but the overall state of the market in China remained sluggish.

Europe

The European countries reported a declining trend in dibutyl phthalate prices throughout the second quarter. This fall in the market momentum was influenced by the cautious stance of the downstream industries and consumers. The major contributor to this reduction in procurement rates was the downturn of the construction sector. Further, another factor that had a significant impact on the pricing trajectory of dibutyl phthalate was the uncertainty in the economic growth of the European countries during Q2’24. This was additionally pressurized by the compounding logistical challenges, shipping delays, surge in freight charges, etc. As a result, the pace of growth of inventories outpaced the procurement rates and kept the prices fluctuating on the lower end of the spectrum.

North America

The dibutyl phthalate market of North America lost its driving force in the first quarter as the pricing pattern of the commodity moved southwards during the second. Similar to the European countries, the downswing of the construction sector was the primary contributor to this downward movement of dibutyl phthalate prices. The high interest rates further dampened the interest of consumers in this sector, eventually disrupting the supply-demand equilibria of the market. Several other challenges, such as loss of export profit margins and delays in both shipment arrival and departure, pressurized the market dynamics of dibutyl phthalate.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Dibutyl Phthalate is expected to trail further southwards in the next quarter, primarily under the pressure of exceeding inventories and below-par demand from the end-user industries.
 

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

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Asia

The feedstock industries of dibutyl phthalate extended support to the market and eventually drove up its price trend throughout the first quarter of 2024. The rising demand from end-user industries like plasticizers, both alkyl and polyester, impacted the dibutyl phthalate market fundamentals in China, while the Spring Festival disrupted manufacturing activities.

Further, amid the festivities of the Spring Festival and Lunar New Year, labor shortages in the region lowered the overall operational rates and hindered the smooth functioning of logistics, limiting material availability in the domestic market. Aside from China, the South Korean dibutyl phthalate market witnessed an abrupt alteration in the cost of energy production as crude oil prices rose amid changing OPEC+ regulations.

Europe

During the first quarter of 2024, dibutyl phthalate prices surged in Europe due to disrupted supply and demand equilibrium. Increased demand from downstream end-user resin sectors outpaced available inventory and production activities, widening the gap between supply and demand of the commodity. In the German market, prices rose by a single-digit percentage as demand from downstream sectors remained unmet due to supply shortages exacerbated by ongoing protests and shortage of labor.

These activities further disrupted the trading activities and delayed shipments, depleting the existing inventories at a quicker pace. As the industrial growth of the region was dependent on the economic landscape, the outlook remained bleak. The inflation rates were curtailed to some margin, but consistent rises in the rates of interest charged by banks still occurred to be a problem for the manufacturing community.

North America

During Q1 of 2024, the bullish trend in the prices of dibutyl phthalic was supported by the uptick in the cost of feedstock price trend. The US dibutyl phthalate market also seemed to benefit from increased demand from downstream plasticizers and polyester resin sectors, depleting existing inventory levels.

The dibutyl phthalic price trend was supported by rising o-xylene prices but was countered by bearish naphthalene prices, maintaining a balanced production cost. Further, surging crude oil prices contributed to increased energy costs, further impacting dibutyl phthalic production expenses.

Another factor that chipped in was the rising number of environmental concerns, and stringent regulations have spurred demand for bio-based plasticizers, prompting investments in sustainable alternatives. Specialized plasticizers for medical, food packaging, and automotive applications also presented high demand, driving chemical advancements.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Dibutyl Phthalate is expected to remain on the northward track as the rising cost of o-xylene and phthalic anhydride will drive up the total cost of production.
 

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

Asia

The Dibutyl Phthalate prices wavered within a very narrow range during the final quarter of the year 2023. Dibutyl Phthalate prices are primarily driven by the market trend of its feedstock materials, phthalic anhydride, and butanol.

However, the market trend for both feedstock materials varied; phthalic anhydride prices were firm, but the butanol market trend were struggling. Further, the downstream demands of Dibutyl Phthalate from the coatings, sealants, and dyes industries also positively influenced the market trend. Hence, because of these reasons, the Dibutyl Phthalate prices ended up fluctuating heavily during the said season. Overall, the price trend for Dibutyl Phthalate were observed to be mixed throughout the said time period.

Europe

The European Dibutyl Phthalate market was much steadier and remained firm during the said time period of Q4’23. Since both its feedstock materials, phthalic anhydride, and butanol, exhibited a positive market trend, the Dibutyl Phthalate prices also witnessed a surge in the market trend. Overall, positive market sentiments were observed.

North America

Guided by the raw material butanol and phthalic anhydride prices, the American Dibutyl Phthalate market also appreciated during the said time. With market demands inclining and moving in favor of the market trend, the prices were observed to be looking stout here as well.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Dibutyl Phthalate price trend are likely to continue rising in the coming months as well. The market drivers are looking positive currently, and the demands are expected to rise even more, so the prices are likely to grow going forward.
 

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

Dibutyl Phthalate witnessed low lingering price trend in the given period of Q3’23. The primary reason for these subsided prices was a substantial depreciation in downstream demands from the dibutyl phthalate-consuming industries. Inclined trend of the previous quarter motivated suppliers to procure more products with the objective of raising more revenue.

These excess supplies exhausted the inventory space. And to further dismay, the demands didn’t pick up as anticipated. Eventually, the suppliers were forced to discount the prices in order to promote stock movement and vacate space for fresh products. Some occasional price support came from the feedstock’s phthalic anhydride and butanol prices. However, the general market behavior was underwhelming throughout.

Europe

The European dibutyl phthalate market experienced wavering price trend during Q3’23. Subtle demands somewhat supported the market dynamics in the first half of the quarter, but the second half saw the prices fluctuating at an even lower end of the dibutyl phthalate price graph. The dwindling downstream demands coupled with contracting purchasing capacities affected the trading sentiments deeply.

North America

Influenced by global trend the dibutyl phthalate market performed moderately in America as well. The price trend fluctuated in a narrow range with a downward-tilted price graph. The saturated inventories worried the suppliers, and in order to cushion their profit margins, they had to lower their quotations. The demands were bleak, and the entry of cheap products from China further complicated the situation. Overall, muted market sentiments were observed.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Dibutyl Phthalate price trend are likely to fluctuate in the coming quarter, given the overstocked inventories and uncertain consumer demands.
 

Dibutyl Phthalate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Dibutyl Phthalate observed mixed price trend during the first half of 2023. Asian markets got a good start at the beginning of January’23 as an industrial revival was underway in China after a long battle with COVID-19.

Fresh Dibutyl Phthalate demands from downstream wrapping, fibre, plastics, etc. industries made the manufacturing units busy. So, the prices inclined in the first half of Q1. As the holiday season arrived in China, the demands took a hit again, but the inventories kept rising with excess supplies.

This amplification in production shifted the market momentum and set the price trend on the reverse track, causing the Dibutyl Phthalate prices to decline throughout the remaining period. Hence, the price swung low for most of the discussed period, but overall, the market sentiments kept on fluctuating.

Europe

In the first quarter of 2023, the European Dibutyl Phthalate market saw a rise in queries since the European economies were trying to deal with inflation. The surge in demand pushed the Dibutyl Phthalate market positively, and an inclination in price trend was observed throughout the first quarter. But as the inventories rose and the flooded supplies dominated the market determining factors, the market trend shifted southward in the second quarter. Overall, a mixed price trend was observed throughout the said period.

North America

Dibutyl Phthalate prices in North America exhibited positive market sentiments throughout the discussed period. Because of high demands and good upstream cost support from the feedstock and other transportation charges, the prices of Dibutyl Phthalate mostly wavered on the higher end of the curve.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, fluctuating price trend for Dibutyl Phthalate are estimated in the upcoming months since the high inventories and unsettled demand patterns will impact the market considerably.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Dibutyl Phthalate. 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.