Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Trend and Forecast

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Regional Price Overview

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

Heavy Alkyl Benzene Price Trend for the First Half of 2024

Asia

The price trend of heavy alkyl benzene (HAB) in Asia exhibited a mixed trajectory, closely following the fluctuations in its key feedstocks, benzene and crude oil. The prices of heavy alkyl benzene showed a gradual increase in the first quarter, driven by the upward momentum in benzene prices due to recovering industrial activities in China and a steady demand for downstream products.
 

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Chart

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Additionally, the rising crude oil prices, fueled by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions in the Middle East, contributed to the upward pressure on heavy alkyl benzene prices. However, the trend slowed down in the second quarter as crude oil prices stabilized and demand for benzene derivatives remained modest. Despite a slight recovery in benzene prices towards the end of the quarter, the overall growth potential of HAB was limited by subdued downstream demand.

Europe

In Europe, the heavy alkyl benzene market saw a fluctuating price trend during H1 2024, shaped by regional feedstock availability and macroeconomic factors. The initial part of the year witnessed some upward pressure on prices, driven by tight supply chains and increased benzene costs, as several manufacturing plants were temporarily shut down, impacting supply. However, as the quarter progressed, crude oil prices oscillated due to geopolitical tensions, and naphtha prices dropped, causing some relief in feedstock costs for benzene. In the second quarter, ample supply and moderate demand led to a stabilization in heavy alkyl benzene prices, though concerns over economic growth and a decrease in demand for benzene derivatives kept the market relatively steady.

North America

In North America, the heavy alkyl benzene market was impacted by both the benzene and crude oil markets. During the first quarter, prices saw an upward trend due to tight supply chains and increased demand from the aromatics and petrochemical sectors. This was further exacerbated by supply disruptions caused by maintenance shutdowns at major petrochemical plants.

The rising crude oil prices also played a significant role in driving up costs. However, in the second quarter, the market experienced volatility due to fluctuating crude oil prices and cautious procurement from downstream phenol manufacturing industries. Towards the end of the quarter, a combination of high interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and strong demand contributed to a more optimistic outlook, although overall price growth remained moderate.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Heavy Alkyl Benzene is expected to follow the trail of its feedstock industries in the next quarter as well, particularly of the crude oil sector as the current fluctuations and challenges reflects a bleak scenario.
 

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Trend for the Second Half of 2023

Asia

Throughout the H2 of 2023, variations in the benzene market, which serves as a major feedstock of heavy alkyl benzene (HAB), caused its price trends to fluctuate. Though there were early hopes for sustained industrial expansion, the market reached its peak in the third quarter and, since then, has taken a big hit.

A significant drop in benzene prices, as well as changing customer attitudes, were the main causes of this collapse. The detergent industry was particularly affected, as big domestic players lowered their prices to stay competitive. In India, procurement rates from rural areas were low, notwithstanding a minor increase in urban demand near the end of the quarter.

Europe

The third quarter of 2023 witnessed positive momentum in the prices of heavy alkyl benzene (HAB), primarily due to the rise in the prices of benzene. However, the increase in the price of h7eavy alkyl benzene (HAB) in the third quarter did not carry over into the fourth in European countries.

The declining cost of benzene and the sluggish demand from the downstream surfactant industries emerged as the major causes of concern for traders and manufacturers. The market also saw a notable increase in the cost of producing energy, which was initially thought to be advantageous for the market but quickly led to volatility in the industrial sector as a result of a drop in demand.

North America

The slow recovery rate of the US economy combined with the consumer sector's lack of interest proved fatal for the heavy alkyl benzene (HAB) pricing trends, which led to a decline in prices. In an attempt to protect the industrial sector from imminent inflation and to maintain control over macroeconomic elements, the government imposed stringent financial regulations, which ultimately worked against the interests of heavy alkyl benzene (HAB) pricing. In addition, the loss of export volumes brought on by the Panama Canal's drought and the Suez Canal's port congestion eventually caused inventory levels to soar and heavy alkyl benzene (HAB) price quotations to fall.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trends of Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) are expected to bear the consequences of limited movement of the downstream industries and a substantial fall in the cost of feedstock materials.
 

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Asia witnessed varied market behavior for heavy alkyl benzene during the first half of the year 2023. As the industries were still struggling to revive, heavy alkyl benzene prices tottered at the lower end in China, influenced by the bearish demands. However, the first quarter was a positive spell for the Indian HAB market as the prices grew since the markets here have been open for a longer time while the Chinese market was under a series of strict lockdowns. Albeit, the prices fell in the second quarter in the Indian markets as well, as the demand started declining, leading to overstocked inventories.

Europe

The European HAB market almost replicated the behavior of the Chinese market as the prices swung low throughout the quarters. A substantial depreciation in the production and transportation costs after the crude oil prices started normalizing in the region was the primary reason for negative market sentiments, as this factor negatively affected the upstream cost support. Also, the inventory levels were already high, and further oversupply disturbed the supply dynamic. Overall, general market behavior was dull.

North America

The North American market was divided for HAB during the said period as the market was slow at the beginning, but slowly picked up the pace as the industrial and economic activities improved. The HAB market was relatively stable in this region.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, given the dullness in the HAB market trends, improvement is anticipated in the upcoming months as trade activities are on the rise.
 

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia

H2 2022 started with a steady decline in HAB (Heavy Alkyl Benzene) prices in the Asian market. Initially, the sullen industrial and economic activities because of the state-imposed lockdown in China were the reason for very low market demands for HAB. But as the markets opened in later Q3, crude oil prices started stabilizing providing the necessary respite to the Asian petrochemical industry. The feedstock benzene prices started declining causing the upstream cost pressure to stabilize eventually leading to a downward wavering, falling trend for Heavy Alkyl Benzene.

Europe

A very mixed price sentiment was observed for Heavy Alkyl Benzene in European markets during H2 2022. Price trend had an oscillating movement, but an overall downward inclination was observed. The reason was bearish demands from the market. High inflation and energy prices here remained the reason for some peaks in the Heavy Alkyl Benzene price trend.

North America

The US domestic market mimicked the same global outlook for the Heavy Alkyl Benzene prices. Because of damped demands in the market, the prices couldn’t sustain a high run. But in later Q4 demands from the industrial sector started rising again and price trend too started rising. Overall, a mixed price trend was observed in this region in the said period.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Heavy Alkyl Benzene are expected to remain oscillating (with a little upward inclination) in the coming quarter. As the markets are warming up and industries are opening again, the projections look positive for demand dynamics.
 

Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) Price Trend For the First Half of 2022

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Asia

The high crude oil and natural gas prices due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict heavily impacted the petrochemical industry. The prices of feedstock benzene soared, which caused the Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) prices to rise in the Indian domestic market along with the booming demand from the downstream detergents and laundry industries. The HAB prices averaged 2848 USD/MT in the Indian domestic market.

However, the price trend for HAB in the Chinese domestic arena were somewhat opposite to that seen in the Indian market. During the first quarter, despite the high crude oil prices, the HAB prices stood firm due to sufficient inventories in the market. The HAB prices declined towards the second quarter owing to the muted market sentiments due to the zero-tolerance covid restrictions by the Chinese government.

Europe

The price trend for Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) remained anchored in the European market throughout the said period. The surging operating costs, supply shortages, trade restrictions and budding downstream demand caused the HAB prices to rise steeply. The HAB prices averaged 2475 USD/MT in the European domestic arena.

North America

The HAB prices surged throughout the US domestic market owing to the heightened energy costs, labour shortages and trade restrictions. The price of HAB averaged 2080 USD/MT during the first quarter of the said year. The prices steadily increased during the second quarter due to the robust downstream demand, and the supply further tightened due to the shutdown of many refineries for annual maintenance checks.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB). 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.