Marico, maker of Parachute Coconut Oil, reported double-digit underlying volume growth in Q1 FY27 despite price increases. The company managed raw material cost volatility through pricing actions, though cooling commodity prices may ease future margin pressure.
Sulphur prices have risen three to four times historical levels due to global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions. This raises costs for fertilizers and crop protection products, with upward price pressure expected to persist.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) prices declined over the course of Q4 2025, driven primarily by softening conditions in lauryl alcohol, a key feedstock derived from palm oil processing. Supply from major Southeast Asian producing regions remained abundant throughout the quarter, with Malaysian and Indonesian output operating at elevated levels. As the period progressed, seasonal supply increases created oversupply conditions in the palm-derived feedstock chain, reducing production costs for SLS manufacturers and placing consistent downward pressure on finished product prices.
Downstream demand from personal care applications including shampoos, body washes, and toothpaste formulations remained steady, while consumption from household detergent and industrial cleaning sectors maintained baseline procurement levels. However, buying activity was largely need-based, with limited appetite for inventory building among distributors and end-users. Import demand from key consuming regions adjusted as buyers took advantage of more competitive pricing from Asian suppliers, supporting trade flow activity without generating any meaningful price recovery. Inventory levels rose across the supply chain as production outpaced immediate consumption requirements, further weighing on market sentiment through the close of the quarter.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, SLS prices are expected to remain under moderate pressure in the near term, as ample palm-derived feedstock supply continues to limit upward cost movement for manufacturers.
Related Report
Need latest SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) price?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Unlock Price Insights NowOur Clients
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
SLS prices experienced notable fluctuations during the third quarter of 2025, primarily driven by feedstock cost volatility and shifting demand dynamics. The market began with a slight increase, driven by lower-than-expected production of palm kernel oil in key producing countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, which were affected by seasonality and weather disruptions. As palm kernel oil serves as a primary raw material for producing lauryl alcohol used in SLS manufacturing, these supply constraints translated directly into elevated production costs for oleochemical manufacturers.
Upward pressure on prices was further supported by higher demand from major consuming regions, particularly where festive consumption drove increased imports of palm-based feedstocks. Demand from downstream applications, including personal care products, detergents, toothpaste formulations, and industrial cleaning agents, remained steady throughout the quarter. Manufacturers maintained regular procurement schedules to ensure adequate inventory levels for seasonal production requirements.
While supply constraints persisted through much of the period, feedstock production picked up slightly towards the latter part of the quarter. Despite this modest improvement, SLS prices experienced periodic gains, reflecting ongoing market adjustments and profit-taking activities by traders.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a synthetic organic compound, is an anionic surfactant used in many cleaning and hygiene products. It is a white or cream coloured solid. The molecule is organosulfate and a salt. It consists of 12 carbon tail attached to a sulfate group. The compound has amphiphilic properties making it useful as a detergent.
SLS can also be derived as a component of mixtures produced from inexpensive coconut and palm oils. It is a common component of many domestic cleaning, personal hygiene and cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food products, as well as of industrial and commercial cleaning products.
C12H25NaSO4
Hand soap, Toothpastes, Shampoo, Shaving cream, Bubble bath formulation, Facial cleansers, Engine degreasers, Food additive, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Sodium laurilsulfate, n-dodecyl sulfate sodium , Sodium coco sulfate, Sodium monododecyl sulfate, Sodium monolauryl sulfate
BASF SE, Solvay SA, Croda International Plc, Stepan Company
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
SLS can be produced by treating lauryl alcohol with sulphur trioxide gas, oleum, or chlorosulphuric acid in order to make hydrogen lauryl sulfate. The obtained product is then neutralised through the addition of sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. It can also be derived from either coconut or palm kernel oil through hydrolysis and subsequent hydrogenation.
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
This report presents a cost analysis of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) production using chlorosulphonic acid, lauryl ethoxylate, and sodium hydroxide through sulphation process.
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply-demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
