Fluoropolymer Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

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

Fluoropolymer Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

In the first quarter of 2024, the global chemicals market faced various macro- and micro-level influences, which was well reflected in the upward trend of fluoropolymer price trend. While challenges like overcapacity and low demand persist for some chemicals, the fluoropolymer market noticed a significant improvement in its market trajectory, given the limited influx in the later stages of the quarter.

Fluoropolymer Price Chart

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India's positive economic growth outlook and expectations for another strong year for gasoline further propelled the fluoropolymer market in an upward direction. However, market sources saw a widening price spread between China and Korea due to heightened competition amid increased deep-sea cargoes. South Korea's olefins exports have declined, leading to increased exports to clear excess supplies despite low cracker runs. The country remained a net exporter of ethylene, propylene, and butadiene, with expectations for continued exports despite operational challenges and shifting trade dynamics.

Europe

Fluoropolymer prices in European markets have rebounded after a stagnant period in the previous quarters, reflecting the recovering demand for fluoropolymers in the region. This resurgence is attributed to improved cracker margins and operational efficiency compared to counterparts in China and the US. The effect of excessive destocking and reduced production volumes supported the uptrend in the fluoropolymer price globally during the first quarter of 2024, signaling stronger downstream demand for fluoropolymer products.

Challenges related to energy and feedstock pricing in Europe eased out somehow, supported by weak global demand and ample gas inventories. Additionally, factors such as fluoropolymer price revisions by Middle Eastern suppliers and supply chain disruptions across the Indian Ocean have contributed to the rise in fluoropolymer prices. The bullish trend in the price trajectory was also influenced by the fall in the inventories of fluoropolymer, widening the gap between supply and demand.

North America

In the first quarter of 2024, global fluoropolymer prices experienced a bullish trend due to supply disruptions in the Red Sea and increased demand in various regions like Asia and Europe. Upward price revisions for ethane further influenced feedstock prices, contributing to the rise in fluoropolymer price trend in the first quarter of 2024. However, as the first quarter progressed, the US markets saw stabilization towards the end of the as the production rates picked up in accordance with the demand of the commodity in both domestic and overseas industries.

Despite lower expansion margins and the outlook for export volumes, the overseas buyers remained firm in the market for fluoropolymer. The recovery of the price trend was also facilitated by the incline in the expenditure of manufacturing sectors as the crude oil and natural gas prices soared in the region amid the limited influx from the Asian countries in the first quarter of 2024.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Fluoropolymer is expected to face northwards in the next quarter of 2024 as the downstream demand and outlook of feedstock market is raising the optimism of the global fluoropolymer traders.

Fluoropolymer Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

Asia

Fluoropolymers are normal polymers with additional fluorine atoms in them. Since these fluoropolymers are usually sourced from simpler hydrocarbons like ethylene, the price trend also closely align with each other. In that regard, the Chinese market performed better than the Indian market in the Asian region during the fourth quarter of the year 2023.

In the Chinese industrial sector, the biggest manufacturing sector, the demands for fluoropolymers were more inclined. While the Indian economy was more driven by the service sector, the slowdown in the crude oil market brought the fluoropolymer prices down. Although the fluctuations in the price graph were within very confined limits, the market sentiments were observed to be mixed throughout the said period.

Europe

The slowdown in the global economy was also reflected in the European price trend of fluoropolymers during the December ending quarter. The cutdown in international trade because of the freight disturbances and the geopolitical tensions strained the domestic suppliers with crashing demands. Overall, an underwhelming performance was witnessed by the fluoropolymer in the European market during Q4’23.

North America

The North American fluoropolymers market also experienced consistent weakening during the final three months of the year 2023. The gap between the supply and demand dynamics widened and resulted in the Fluoropolymer price graph following a downhill trajectory. Dull market performance was observed.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Fluoropolymers market is likely to fluctuate in the coming months, given the current macroeconomic scenarios.

Fluoropolymer Price Trend for the July-September of 2023

Asia

The Asia-Pacific region witnessed mixed market sentiments for fluoropolymers during Q3’23. Initially the price trend kept on the lower side of the price curve given the reduced demand from the automotive industries. Further, the manufacturing sector in China was still struggling to revive after the long pandemic-related shutdowns. However, the prices grew in the month of September owing to a drastic increase in the market demands.

The rise in sales of electronic vehicles titled the demand-supply curve in the favour of the former causing the fluoropolymers prices to incline. Also, weather disturbances like typhoons in various parts of China affected the logistics and constricted the supplies, which further affected the price trend.

Europe

The price trend for fluoropolymers recorded a downward sentiment in the European market. Given the economic backlash owing to the geopolitical conflicts in its backyard, the purchasing capacities suffered, which directly impacted the trading atmosphere of the market. The manufacturing sector still struggled to establish its stronghold, affecting the supply-demand curve.

However, towards the end of September, some respite was seen in the form of fresh offtakes in the market, but these were not enough to completely set the price graph to higher trajectories.

North America

The North American market registered a lowered trajectory for fluoropolymer price trend. The bearish demands from the downstream automotive and manufacturing amid hiked interest rates and reduced buyer’s confidence negatively impacted the trading sentiments throughout the said period.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Fluoropolymer are likely to remain volatile in the coming quarter, given the present economic scenario. However, the rise in demand from the EV sector will positively impact its price trajectories.

Fluoropolymers Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

In the first quarter of 2023, the prices of fluoropolymers fluctuated as the Chinese market introduced certain policies to deal with the plunging economic conditions. In addition, the number of orders from the overseas market and inquiries from end-user sectors drove up the price trend of fluoropolymers in the first quarter. But the trend declined gradually in the second quarter as the economic activities of the Asia Pacific region slumped. The trading activities also took a toll, and with feeble demand from the domestic and overseas markets, the prices of fluoropolymers found it difficult to sustain their momentum.

Europe

In Europe, the price trend of fluoropolymers witnessed a northwards trajectory as the rise in inflation and hike in interest rates supported the rise in the prices. The slow movement of the German economy and the cautious spending of buyers posed a problem for fluoropolymers' prices in the first quarter.

But in the second quarter, the consumption rates improved with the positive movement of the automotive industries. The inclining freight charges and significant growth of major market employers of fluoropolymers supported the inclining price trend of fluoropolymers.

North America

The North American region showcased an inclining trajectory in fluoropolymers prices. The high demand and slow supply created disruptions in the supply-demand equilibrium and thus drove the price trend of fluoropolymers. In the second quarter also, the demand from automobile industries supported the rising prices, and the fluctuating cost of freight charges further pushed the market in a positive direction. In addition to this, the consumption rates of customers improved, leading to an overall incline in the fluoropolymers' prices.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Fluoropolymers is estimated to oscillate with the improving market dynamics of automotive industries.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Fluoropolymer. 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.