Propane-1,2-diol Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Propane-1,2-diol in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

In the first quarter of 2022, the propane-1,2-diol market in the Asia-Pacific region had a considerable increase in market dynamics as the upstream and feedstock cost support continued to increase. These market emotions were substantially bolstered by the increased crude oil offers in the absence of Russian Crude Oil.

While the Chinese Lunar New Year vacations and Winter Olympics-related production rate limits reduced the market outlook in China, the arbitrage remained mute. In addition, the comeback of COVID in China had a significant influence on market emotions and margins, and during the quarter ending in March 2022, the FOB Qingdao price for USP grade was resolved at 2,701 USD/MT.

Europe

Based on the grades of the chemical on the German domestic market, the market in Europe exhibited conflicting opinions. The decrease in temperature affected enquiries from the antifreeze industry, which in turn had an effect on the industrial-grade offerings despite the increasing crude oil and upstream offers on the European market.

The special military operation conducted by Russia over Ukraine and the resolute opposition of European nations to such a move had indirect effects on market dynamics in addition to driving upstream energy prices to all-time highs. As a result of the commodities gyration's ripple impact, the producer's quotes had many turbulences, with March FOB Hamburg negotiations concluding at 3,136 USD/MT.

North America

The North American market remained positive during the entirety of the first quarter. In the early part of the quarter, feedstock propylene shortages slowed production rates at one of the largest plants, where a fire broke out last week in December. The cost support from upstream energy values stagnates on a higher trajectory as the OPEC+ alliance stagnates on the decision to gradually expand crude oil production against the rapid expansion in demand, followed by the commodity gyration caused by the war in eastern Europe.

Such a shift in the outlook bolstered the manufacturers' desire to increase quotes, with March FOB West Coast negotiations for propane-1,2-diol pharma grade estimated at 3055 USD/MT.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

In October, the price of the chemical on the Asian Market hit its highest level of the year due to the impact of escalating raw material costs, as well as their scarcity and high freight expenses. The Chinese government's "Dual Control Policy" for energy rationing, which compelled factories to cut their operating rates, also contributed to price shocks in China.

The average price of the chemical decreased in November, despite the pharma sector's continued solid demand, as supply chain issues eased, allowing propylene oxide feedstock to reach their destination. Propane-1,2-diol prices in China and India for the month of December hovered at 2,824 USD/MT FOB Qingdao and 3,376 USD/MT FFG Ex-Delhi NCR, respectively, as a result of the constantly falling raw material costs. Negative growth in the automobile industry as a result of a chip shortage delayed propane-1,2-diol usage in the antifreeze market.

Europe

Throughout the whole fourth quarter of 2021, the European propane-1,2-diol market remained constrained. Due to the combined whammy of soaring feedstock costs and the catastrophic energy crisis, which boosted input costs, prices surged continuously. In the second part of the quarter, the pharmaceuticals industry experienced an extraordinary increase in demand as the Omicron version rapidly expanded throughout the area.

Additionally, spot prices were elevated due to supply chain interruptions at the beginning of the quarter and Coronavirus-induced shipping constraints towards the quarter's conclusion. In Germany, the average FOB Hamburg price in December was estimated at 2,670 USD/MT.

North America

The North American market anticipated soaring pricing patterns in October due to robust propylene oxide and propylene feedstock backed by soaring upstream crude oil prices that persisted from the previous quarter. With numerous U.S. facilities experiencing force majeure as a result of the storm Ida's destruction, the country's supply gap widened.

In November, however, manufacturers were able to experience some respite due to the replenishment of crude oil stocks through the coordinated release of strategic reserves and the recovery of plant operations disrupted by hurricanes.

Nonetheless, the market was surrounded by fresh scarcity in propylene feedstock supply as a result of ExxonMobil's Baytown facility's suspended operations following a fire explosion, causing propane-1,2-diol prices to climb again, settling between 2895 USD/MT and 3055 USD/MT FOB West Coast. The pharmaceutical industry's demand for the chemical remained robust during the fourth quarter of 2021.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

Propane-1,2-diol was in short supply in the Asia-Pacific area due to the limited availability of feedstock as a result of planned plant shutdowns at various manufacturing facilities, followed by a decline in imports from the Middle East. Propane-1,2-diol prices increased throughout the area due to an increase in input costs and a decline in output.

In India, the March prices on a CFR basis were 1,399 USD/MT. Amid the second COVID wave in India, the supply forecast in Southeast Asia remained severely constrained due to a chronic scarcity of raw materials, which was impacted by lackluster buying attitudes.

Due to China's soaring inflation rate, several Chinese shoppers were hesitant to purchase the expensive propylene. In June, FOB Tianjin pharma grade propane-1,2-diol prices settled at 2,930 USD/MT. Since the beginning of July, China's domestic market for the chemical experienced an increase in demand.

The maintenance closure of facilities in Shaanxi and Shandong led to a fall in supply, while demand on the pharmaceutical market remained steady, resulting in a price increase. In September, Ex-Mumbai propane-1,2-diol prices in India were last estimated at 3,378 USD/MT.

Europe

The supply in the European region was constricted during the whole first quarter of 2021 due to the limited availability of feedstock, with the majority being redirected to the manufacturing of polyols. In addition, supply remained constrained as a result of a 50 percent drop in imports from the United States during the preceding quarter and the Middle East, where a major petrochemical factory announced a turnaround in February.

Propane-1,2-diol supplies remained tight in the second quarter of 2021 due to the shutdown of large steam crackers in Northwest Europe, which limited the supply of the important feedstock Propylene in Europe. However, the number of propane-1,2-diol exports from the United States increased over the previous quarter.

Propane-1,2-diol prices climbed in the third quarter of 2021, followed by a rise in demand from the European end-user industry. European spot propane-1,2-diol prices resumed their downward trend in the second quarter, followed by an increase in regional supply.

North America

During the first quarter of 2021, interruptions to propane-1,2-diol supplies continued, continuing from the prior disruptions. Propane-1,2-diol prices in North America increased as a result of increased demand and constrained supply. In March, Dow Chemicals hiked the price of both grades of the chemical by 22 USD/MT. In June, the FOB Connecticut (USA) contractual price of Mono propylene glycol (MPG)-pharmaceutical grade was estimated to be 2,795 USD/MT, a decrease of 45 USD/MT from March rates.

Mid-August saw Dow Chemical declare force majeure at its PO factory, adding to the manufacturer's troubles. In August, the price of the chemical (industrial grade) was estimated at 2520 USD/MT, a 7 percent increase over July levels. Numerous North American manufacturers revised their September offers for several grades of the chemical in response to a severe demand-supply imbalance.

For the Year 2020

Asia

Due to turnarounds at the upstream PO facilities, the availability of the chemical remained constrained in the fourth quarter of 2020, impeding the production of both Mono- and Di- propylene glycol. China's diminished production of industrial-grade PG led to a regional shortage of the substance. As the region suffered harsh winters, the

Aviation Industry continued to support the quarterly need for anti-freeze products. On the Indian market, propane-1,2-diol prices experienced a slight decrease in the first half of the fourth quarter, followed by a consistent increase throughout the remainder of the quarter. The average price for the quarter was 1,275 USD/MT.

Europe

The European market experienced pressure in the fourth quarter due mostly to a reported deficiency of the feedstock propylene oxide, as its amounts were reportedly redirected to polyols manufacturing. The sudden increase in propane-1,2-diol prices on Asian markets and the hurricane season in the United States prompted a rise in trade inquiries from the European region.

The fragrance industry's demand for Di-propylene glycol remained robust, but the pharmaceutical industry's need skyrocketed to battle the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Demand for Mono- propylene glycol from the anti-freeze industry skyrocketed throughout the winters, despite the industry's efforts to counteract the uncertainty caused by the second lockdown enforced across Europe owing to the new COVID type. This resulted in a panic over the supply of securities despite the favorable forecast for demand.

North America

Demand for the chemical tightened during the early half of the fourth quarter due to moderate weather conditions across the United States and travel limitations caused by an increase in COVID-19 cases. Early in the fourth quarter, the Gulf area of the United States was plagued by production challenges at industrial plants.

In October, LyondellBasell declared force majeure at its upstream Propylene Oxide factory in Pasadena, Texas, which had a severe impact on the region's production of PG and other downstream goods. Some facilities destroyed by Hurricane Laura at the end of August were anticipated to be restored by the middle of the fourth quarter, easing product supply late in the quarter.

At the conclusion of the fourth quarter, the antifreeze industry saw a significant increase in demand owing to the winter season. Nevertheless, demand remained constrained in comparison to the previous year.

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