Propylene Carbonate Price Trend and Forecast

Propylene Carbonate Regional Price Overview

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

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

Asia

Propylene carbonate prices in the Asian market demonstrated mixed trends throughout the third quarter of 2024. The prices of propylene carbonate showed a close resemblance with the price movements of propylene oxide, its key feedstock. Initially, prices observed an oscillating trajectory but were confined within a narrow range. However, as the quarter progressed from August to September, a sudden dip in the prices of propylene carbonate was seen.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Chart

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The primary factor that drove the downward movement was a significant drop in upstream propylene prices, which pressured the prices of propylene derivatives significantly. The shipping volume was also weak as the exports to European countries decreased amid the lower availability of cargo and high freight costs. Overall, the trajectory of propylene carbonate prices mirrored the price trajectory of propylene oxide, which reflected a general weak market sentiment in the said period.

Europe

The European propylene carbonate sector displayed a more positive outlook during the said time period. The prices inclined for most of the quarter primarily driven by the escalating costs of upstream propylene, which were higher in Europe due to constrained supply linked to reduced domestic production and limited availability of import cargoes. The surge in feedstock prices raised production costs for manufacturers, thereby tightening their profit margins in the face of weak overall demand.

North America

In North America, propylene carbonate prices followed an oscillating trajectory, showing a close resemblance with the Asian market. Initially, the market experienced stability as prices remained stable. However, they turned southwards as the upstream propylene oxide prices started declining. The decline in the prices lowered the demand in the market as the market players waited before buying large quantities in anticipation of further decline in prices of propylene oxide. Along with this, the logistical challenges brought by the hurricane season further compounded the challenges.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, propylene carbonate prices are expected to fluctuate in the coming quarters, primarily influenced by the regional variations in the feedstock propylene prices.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Asia

Propylene carbonate prices in the Asian markets were found to be fluctuating for the most part of the said three months span of Q2’24. These fluctuations in the regional prices were imparted by the changes in the costs of feedstock materials, propylene oxide, and carbon dioxide. Along with this, the trajectory of crude oil prices regionally and internationally also influenced the prices of propylene carbonate in the Asian markets.

With both India and China’s access to cheap Russian oil, the oil prices took a slight dip in the region, especially in the early phase of the quarter. This gave a downward push to the propylene carbonate’s cost pressure as the manufacturing rates relaxed. As time progressed, the prices made some improvements in the latter phase. However, the overall market sentiments largely remained meek for the majority part.

Europe

Just like the Asian market, the global slowdown in propylene carbonate markets was visible in the European regions as well. Even though some European markets were trying really hard to fight the difficult trade conditions and economic circumstances that have been lingering for a long time, the outcomes were not that satisfactory. The decline in international trade was particularly visible in Europe, as the Suez Canal, the primary maritime gateway between Asia and Europe, saw a considerable decline in the number of vessels passing through it. Despite some occasional upswings, especially around the quarter conclusion, the overall market outlook remained dwindling.

North America

In the American propylene carbonate market, the prices exhibited borderline stability since the major movements in the price curve were confined within limited boundaries. US Dollar was firm for the most part which provided some cost support to the domestic suppliers and manufacturers; however, a declining global trade was not helpful. The supply and demand equation, though largely balanced, tilted more towards the consumer’s side. Domestically, however, some correction is expected in the short term. As the quarter ended, the gap between the supply and demand outlooks was apparently closing up.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Propylene Carbonate prices are expected to show improvements going forward in the short term. Along with the upstream dynamics, the downstream demands are also expected to be improving.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

After the holiday period in China, the propylene carbonate market displayed stability, but eventually, the market settled on the lower end of the spectrum. However, initially, the prices remained relatively steady, with raw material prices showing minor fluctuations. There was limited follow-up from downstream industries, leading to average demand during the later phases of the quarter. The inventory levels in the industry were also moderate, along with the shipments leaving Asian ports.

Even with these moderate levels, the traders primarily focused on reducing existing inventory levels as they anticipated that the number of new orders would remain flat. Additionally, some regions experienced adverse weather conditions, which had a moderate impact on market sentiment. The overseas demand for propylene carbonate also failed to extend any support to the market as the buyers were concerned about changing trading routes and an unkempt rise in freight charges during the first quarter of 2024.

Europe

Propylene carbonate prices in European markets surged gradually during the first quarter of 2024, driven by tightening supply across Europe. This trend was further fueled by the ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis. The major production units lowered their production and adjusted inventories amid the oscillations in raw materials and feedstock chemical prices, further altering the supply chain functioning.

However, declines in propylene carbonate exports from Germany were attributed to a focus of the traders on catering to the domestic needs firsts and reduced orders from the overseas players. However, weakening Chinese production volumes, coupled with a strong number of orders from Thailand, Malaysia, and India, elevated the export profit margin during the later phase of the first quarter. However, while demand for propylene carbonate derivatives recovered in European markets, it remained subdued in the polyurethane sector due to weak fundamentals and high-interest rates.

North America

North American markets faced a lower supply situation due to plant outages and feedstock shortages, leading to a decline in propylene inventories and a subsequent incline in the propylene carbonate price trend during Q1 of 2024. The concerns of the traders were further fueled by the loss of feedstock propylene glycol to the abrupt closing of several production units in the region.

Asian importers also seemed to favor Middle Eastern and other propylene carbonate markets to meet demand in view of the surging cost of transportation through the US corridors. Consumer markets, especially food and cosmetics, are seeing on the other hand, reported significant gains supporting an uptrend in the pricing patterns of propylene carbonate.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Propylene Carbonate is expected to fluctuate as the dim trading scenario, and unchecked rise in the cost of transportation will constrain the demand from the downstream industries in upcoming quarters.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

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Asia

Propylene carbonate is directly sourced from propylene oxide by reaction with carbon dioxide, so the price trend for both propylene oxide and propylene carbonate align closely with each other. During the fourth quarter of the year 2023, propylene carbonate prices were observed to be varying throughout the period.

The first half of the quarter began on a weaker note since the inventory stocks were still running high, so the suppliers increased discounts in order to motivate sales. However, as the inventories moved regularly, by the end of the year, in the second half of the quarter, the propylene carbonate prices started improving slightly. Considering the regional supply and demand dynamics, the propylene carbonate market was observed to be largely stable during the period of the fourth quarter of the year 2023.

Europe

The European propylene carbonate market mostly swung at lower levels of the price curve during the said quarter of the year 2023. Neither the market queries from the consumer section nor the upstream dynamics supported the market trend positively. The market demands were largely feeble and mostly pushed the prices downwards.

North America

The American propylene carbonate market trend were observed to be closely mimicking the European market trend as the prices were observed to be swinging downwards here too. The inventories were full; however, the market demands were not able to sustain the trade momentum. Overall, tepid market trend were witnessed.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the propylene carbonate market trend are likely to continue to waver similarly in the coming months, given the volatile market dynamics and pricing fundamentals.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

The lukewarm approach of downstream industries and the excess influx of propylene carbonate proved to be a challenge for the propylene carbonate price trend during the third quarter of 2023. The quarter also witnessed a need-based approach adopted by the consumers and oscillating costs of raw materials. This, in turn, led to the depreciation of the market fundamentals of propylene carbonate.

Along with this, the rise in inflationary pressure and the weak position of the economy restricted the spending budget of the consumers. Because of the same factors, the industrial and manufacturing sectors also registered a significant contraction, leading to a decline in the propylene carbonate price graph.

Europe

In Europe, the consumers halted their purchasing activities depreciated the demand for propylene carbonate and hampered the propylene carbonate price trend. Further, the soaring inflation rates and consistent hikes in the interest rates charged by the banks had an adverse effect on the procurement rates of propylene carbonate. Further, the feedstock industries and raw materials sector also failed to provide any cost relief for the propylene carbonate market; thus, ultimately, the propylene carbonate price trend declined.

North America

In North America, the reluctance of consumers to place bulk orders in view of the weak condition of the economy forced the propylene carbonate price trend to move southwards. The region also suffered from the disruption in the supply-demand equilibrium as the imports and production of propylene carbonate exceeded the demand by several folds. In addition to this, the automotive sector subdued its demand for propylene carbonate while being the most significant key player in the propylene carbonate market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Propylene Carbonate are estimated to trace a declining trajectory as the end-user demand and depleting global economic conditions are not expected to support the propylene carbonate market dynamics.
 

Propylene Carbonate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The Asia-Pacific region witnessed a rebound that supported the rise in the prices of propylene carbonate. The supply chain in the region got disrupted due to the Lunar holiday season, which led to the constriction in the availability of the product in the market. In addition to this, the demand outlook from the downstream industries also remained positive throughout the quarter while the production rates remained firm. However, in the second quarter, the overall market activities were slow.

The declining prices of propylene carbonate were the direct result of high inflation and declining consumer sentiments. Reduction in the number of inquiries and exports to European nations further fueled the movement of propylene carbonate prices in the southward direction.

Europe

The European region followed the footsteps of Asia Pacific as the prices of propylene carbonate inclined in the first quarter but experienced a mixed trend in the second quarter.

The first quarter was supported by the rise in the market activities of the upstream propylene and downstream automotive industries. But the aftereffects of the Russia-Ukraine war and feeble support from the feedstock cost caused the prices of propylene carbonate to decline in the initial months of the second quarter.

The market dynamics improved in the later months of this quarter with support from the improvements in the prices of propylene oxide. However, chemical manufacturing showed a reduction in its market activities that forced the manufacturers to reduce their profit margins.

North America

Propylene carbonate prices in North America fluctuated in both the first and second quarters of 2023. The mixed trend of prices was the result of the slowing down of market activities as the consumers withdrew their support and adopted a wait-and-see approach. In addition to this, stockpiles of propylene carbonate increased in the region due to the low procurement from the electric vehicle and related sectors.

The soaring cost of crude oils also stood as a mountain in front of manufacturers who were already struggling with uncertain market conditions. In the second quarter also, along with these factors, the lowering of feedstock costs and a rise in inflation added their bits to the already falling price trend of propylene carbonate.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of propylene carbonate is expected to witness a fluctuating trend due to the inclining interest and inflation rates and high uncertainties in global demand.

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