Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Price Trend and Forecast

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Regional Price Overview

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

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Price Trend for the First Half of 2024

During the first half of 2024, the price trend of phenyl ethyl alcohol in Asia was shaped by the fluctuations in its key feedstocks. In China, the gradual rise in benzene prices, driven by strong domestic demand, tightening inventories, and geopolitical tensions, created upward pressure on phenyl ethyl alcohol costs. Benzene prices surged in the first quarter due to the impact of crude oil supply constraints and the revitalization of industrial activities post-Lunar New Year, with further increases in the second quarter as OPEC+ cuts and higher crude oil prices tightened supply.
 

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Price Chart

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This directly influenced the cost structure of phenyl ethyl alcohol, which depends on benzene for its production. Simultaneously, ethylene oxide prices in Asia faced fluctuations, with a slight increase in the first quarter due to supply tightness from maintenance shutdowns and geopolitical disruptions. However, in the second quarter, ethylene oxide prices trended downward as supply improved and demand for its derivatives, such as polycarboxylates, weakened. Despite some gains in the prices of downstream products, overall demand for ethylene oxide remained sluggish, further adding complexity to the phenyl ethyl alcohol market.

In Europe, the market for phenyl ethyl alcohol also faced mixed trends. Benzene prices showed volatility due to disruptions in the trading sector, production shutdowns, and shifts in crude oil prices. Ethylene oxide in Europe mirrored its Asian counterpart, with high production costs, weak downstream demand, and an excess of supply putting downward pressure on prices.

Overall, the phenyl ethyl alcohol market in H1 2024 reflected the combined influence of rising benzene costs and declining ethylene oxide prices, with regional variations influencing supply-demand dynamics across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Analyst Insight

According to procurement resources, the price of Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol is thus expected to bear the consequences of abrupt changes in the market trajectory of feedstock benzene in the upcoming months.
 

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Price Trend for the Second Half of 2023

Phenyl ethyl alcohol price trends were observed to be highly fluctuating for the entire period of H2’23. The market started on a higher note at the beginning of the third quarter following the spike in crude oil prices; after OPEC+ actions, the feedstock benzene and ethylene oxide prices also picked up.

This pushed the upstream costs for phenyl ethyl alcohol up in the early months. However, during the fourth quarter the market dynamics were slightly reversed. With global trade on a decline and crude oil prices plummeting again, the phenyl ethyl alcohol price trend also took a backtrack. Industrial demands dipped for phenyl ethyl alcohol, and the price graph started tilting downwards, imparting variations in the overall trajectory.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol price trends are expected to continue to waver in the coming months; the market will continue to be demand-dependent.
 

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

The price trend for Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol closely mimic that of its feedstocks, namely Benzene and Ethylene Oxide. Downstream demands from the perfume and flavor industries also played an important role in determining the market behavior. As the Chinese market was trying to revive itself after the COVID–19 lockdown, consumer behavior was still very necessity-centric since the economic activities were shut off for such a long time. At the same time, rising inflation in European markets skyrocketed the costs of living.

Overall, the market sentiments around Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol were observed to be really dull. Though there was some strength in the market at the beginning of the first quarter since the upstream costs were high, but sullen downstream demands kept the price trend south-facing. High benzene prices did provide some cost support; hence, the overall market sentiments remained bearish throughout.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol prices are expected to continue similar struggling market behaviors as the inventories are high and demands are steady.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol. 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.