Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

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

For the First Half of 2022

Asia

As Covid cases in China started to rise again in January 2022, linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LABSA) prices in the Chinese market continued to rise due to the high demand for downstream surfactant and disinfectant commodities. Prices for LABSA have been on the rise since February when production was halted for the winter Olympics and Chinese New Year.

In the Chinese market, LABSA prices stood at 1534 USD/MT. Due to rising upstream prices for sulphuric acid and linear alkyl benzene, the price in the Indian market increased. The price trends for linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid recorded an upward trend in the second quarter owing to the solid demand from surfactants and home-care sectors.

Europe

The price of LABSA increased continuously in the European market throughout the said period with a small percentage variation on a month-to-month basis. Despite being the region most impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and experiencing significant natural gas and oil shortages, Europe did not experience a price increase for linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid due to its robust supply of detergent and surfactant goods.

In the first quarter of 2022, Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid prices in the German market were 1780 USD/MT. However, with the western sanction and European embargo against Russian exports, the operating costs soared in the market with effects felts across all the sectors. Hence, the LABSA prices increased in line with inflated costs before registering a decrease towards the end of June 2022.

North America

During the said period prices for linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid continuously increased. The increase in prices was driven by high upstream Linear Alkyl Benzene prices, which were raised in January 2022 as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Due to its minimal environmental impact, LABSA is becoming more and more popular among end users as a surfactant and detergent, which has contributed to the upward price trend in the US.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

Though Asia's markets were generally buoyant in the first two months of the quarter, month-by-month price trends varied by nation. Due to feedstock shortages and a drop in production activity as a result of China's Dual Control Policy, LABSA negotiations in China remained at an all-time high in October.

With declining upstream futures, prices gradually fell through November and December, settling at 1541 USD/MT and 1515 USD/MT FOB Qingdao, respectively, with demand faltering a little due to downstream sector stockpiling of LABSA stockpiles in the early days of December. With exceptional tightness in raw materials on the international market and a 60-70% increase in freight costs, the prices in India peaked in November.

In the face of high demand, merchants were heard regularly adjusting their offerings in order to improve their margins. However, traders stuck to low contract prices that hovered around 1166 to 1381 USD/MT in December due to the retracing upstream market from rising trends throughout November end, as well as the quickly-pacing stock clearance activities in the Indian market before the approaching new year.

Europe

The market in Europe was upbeat throughout the quarter, oscillating between catastrophic energy shortages and increasing raw material prices. With the surge in coronavirus cases, the prices in Germany continued to rise with each passing week as the downstream detergent sector persisted on unwavering demand fundamentals. Spot trade constraints, as well as high input costs, remained a source of concern for manufacturers. Despite a little improvement in the container issue, the prices in December, which stayed above 1725 USD/MT FOB Hamburg, reached new highs, fueled by increased downstream demand in both local and foreign markets.

North America

The market in North America was robust in October and November as a result of price increases in its feedstock LAB, which were backed by bullish benzene and crude oil upstream and translated into LABSA input costs. Low feedstock output from storm Ida-affected plants in the United States, as well as trade limits caused by disrupted logistics across ports, making it difficult for manufacturers to respond to inquiries from local and foreign buyers. As the majority of production units restored operations, LABSA prices fell to 1320 USD/MT FOB New York, the USA market breathed a sigh of relief from the drop in upstream prices due to gradual build-up in inventories.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

Due to restricted spot availability of benzene and consistently rising crude oil prices across the area, Asia Pacific LABSA supply saw conflicting attitudes in the first quarter of 2021. Stronger upstream rates generated ripples through the market, causing the prices of both LAB and LABSA to reach new highs throughout the quarter. Because of consistent offtakes from downstream cleaning industries and strong consumer attitudes, demand remained stable.

The benzene supply-demand imbalance in India expanded dramatically in February, pushing CFR LABSA prices to 1488 USD/MT. In the third quarter of 2021, the Asian LABSA market saw a declining trend, as prices of the raw material Linear Alkyl Benzene fell dramatically across the region.

In India, LABSA prices continued to fall in August as feedstock costs stabilised and offtakes from the domestic market remained consistent. In the third quarter, major detergent and surfactant makers reported that they had to modify their product prices while maintaining a profit margin. Due to continually rising feedstock prices combined with rising freight costs, producer margins had been considerably squeezed. LABSA prices dropped dramatically, eventually settling at 1342 USD/MT, down from 1758 USD/MT in September.

North America

Its supplies were in short supply due to a considerable pause in regional production activities due to extreme freezing conditions, causing a supply chain disruption across the Gulf of Mexico. Several upstream benzene players, including ExxonMobil, Total, Shell, and others, were forced to shut down production due to the unusual weather conditions, resulting in a serious scarcity of raw materials in the first quarter of 2021.

The frequent offtakes from the downstream soap and detergent industries boosted demand, causing the LAB and LABSA prices to skyrocket during the quarter. In Q3 2021, the overall market for the chemical in North America reflected mixed views. LABSA prices in the United States fell slightly in H1 of Q3 due to reduced feedstock benzene prices.

However, due to a shortage of benzene during hurricane season, a brief high increase was seen. Increased transportation costs and intermittent power supply in and around Gulf Coast regions, as well as supply chain interruptions caused by Tropical Storm Nicholas in Texas, contributed to the regional price increase.

Europe

Due to the limited availability of benzene, LABSA supplies were balanced to tight in the European market. Due to delayed shipping of crucial raw materials and severe cold weather in the northwest European region, supply bottlenecks were evident as the factories operated at reduced output rates.

In the first quarter, demand remained constant. With the rising rate of COVID infections nearing the conclusion of the quarter, demand accelerated due to increased end-use in detergents and other cleaners, as well as increased awareness among netizens. In the third quarter of 2021, the regional market in Europe showed varied trends.

Due to a limited supply of feedstock benzene across the area, LABSA supplies remained tight during the quarter. Due to lower buying momentum in the end user sectors, the demand from downstream surfactants and detergents industry remained low. Towards the conclusion of Q3, some benzene production units were restarted, allowing production to return to normal.

Price Trend For the Year 2020

Asia

For the quarter ended September 2020, the Asian Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) market fundamentals were generally stable. Although slight shifts in demand patterns were observed as a result of global contagion, traders' offers to boost offtakes lowered contract prices. Meanwhile, the detergent and cleaning industry's burgeoning demand failed to deliver significant gains as producers flooded the market with excess supply. The market was expected to revive, owing to sustained growth in market prices of feedstock benzene.

North America

Under the stress of worldwide contagion, demand for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid in North America surged significantly in the preceding quarter, owing to higher use of surfactants and cleaning products. However, as panic purchase and hoarding of disinfectants and cleaning chemicals decreased, the market value of the chemical remained relatively stable.

Manufacturers and traders' profit margins were harmed by rising downstream product inventories as a result of steady operating rates. LABSA market was likely to recover with the surface chemical industry constantly creating new products and anticipating an increase in demand.

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