Sulphonated Naphthalene Price Trend and Forecast

Sulphonated Naphthalene Regional Price Overview

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

Sulphonated Naphthalene Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

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Asia

In the Asian market, the prices of sulphonated naphthalene showed an oscillating trend throughout Q3’24 supported by the stable prices of coal tar, a crucial feedstock. Initially, the prices were stable with marginal fluctuations, but as the quarter progressed, the rising prices of upstream sulphuric acid started creating upward pressure, giving the market an overall positive outlook despite the lukewarm demand from the plasticizers sector in most regions of Asia, especially China. On the other hand, in India, the prices of sulphonated naphthalene showed a gradual incline throughout the quarter.
 

Sulphonated Naphthalene Price Chart

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The prices of sulphonated naphthalene were around 1387 USD/MT (FOB) in July and reached around 1407 USD/MT (FOB) by September’24. The flourishing infrastructure and construction sectors with proper government support have shown improvement in demand for various products, especially plasticizers, ultimately increasing the demand for chemical intermediates, including sulphonated naphthalene. Overall, the sulphonated naphthalene market remained optimistic for most of the third quarter of 2024, well supported by the inclining prices of feedstocks and steady downstream demand.

Europe

The prices of sulphonated naphthalene in the European markets showed wavering trends for the majority of said period influenced by the rising prices of sulphuric acid prices amid the supply constraints. The economy is still struggling to recover from the supply disruptions faced in the previous quarter. The demand was weak as the construction sector remained troubled in the said period. Continued unrest because of ever stretching Russian war and escalating Israeli conflict also affected the regional trade security, especially for Europe and the Middle East.

North America

The sulphonated naphthalene prices mirrored the trends of the Asia market in the third quarter of 2024. The soon-approaching presidential election in the United States to be held in the next quarter has motivated significant investment in the infrastructure sectors, increasing the demand for downstream plasticizers. Along with this, the much-awaited interest rate cuts were announced in late September.

The Federal Reserve announced a cut of 50 basis points. This further boosted the investments in the construction and automotive sectors. A clearer picture of these events and consequences will be presented in the coming months. Overall, the sulphonated naphthalene maintained an optimistic outlook throughout the third quarter of 2024.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the prices of sulphonated naphthalene are expected to oscillate in the coming quarter. Holiday season and anticipated supply chain curbs will likely drive the market going forward.
 

Sulphonated Naphthalene Price Trend for Q2 of 2024

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Asia

Sulphonated naphthalene, as the name suggests, is a sulphonated derivative of naphthalene, resulting in a water-soluble compound significant in the construction and textile industries due to its excellent dispersing and wetting properties. The feedstock naphthalene and sulphur costs, along with the downstream demands from the construction sector, drive the pricing outlook for sulphonated naphthalene.

With the rising construction sector in India due to investments in both public and private sectors, the prices of sulphonated naphthalene were found to improve steadily throughout the said quarter. The monthly average prices that stood at around 1364 USD/MT in April’24 (FOB) went to about 1378 USD/MT in June’24. Even with these minor improvements, the overall market sentiments for sulphonated naphthalene remained largely positive for most of Q2’24.

Europe

Contrary to the Asian markets, the sulphonated naphthalene prices in Europe remained downward, wavering for the second quarter of 2024. Primarily, the decline in the raw materials naphthalene and sulphur costs dictated the muted sentiments of European sulphonated naphthalene markets. Growing geopolitical disruptions were very apparent in the European markets as the Russian war entered its third year and the Israel conflict also heated up in the Middle East.

Domestically, the trade exchanges were still regular; however, the offshore trade saw significant disturbances. Suppliers grew cautious and took up a wait-and-watch approach. With this, the supply and demand equation was mostly balanced the entire time. Overall, a stable price trajectory was witnessed.

North America

The American sulphonated naphthalene market was not very different from the European markets, as the prices were found dipping here as well. In the USA, it was primarily the heavy inventory pressure that drove sulphonated naphthalene prices downwards. Owing to the declining naphthalene consumption over time since the energy models started shifting to renewable sources, the inventories were bulking up consistently. Therefore, the sulphonated naphthalene prices remained in a narrow range for the entire Q2’24.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, not much change is anticipated in Sulphonated Naphthalene prices going forward; the market situation projects a similar run in the short term.
 

Sulphonated Naphthalene Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

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Asia

The Asian countries struggled with the changes in the consumer front and feedstock prices of sulphonated naphthalene during the first quarter of 2024. This slow approach of market drivers resulted in settlement of sulphonated naphthalene prices in the Indian market on the average of 1364 USD/MT during the first quarter, not differentiating much from its initial value.

The traders suggest that this weak outlook of the market is the direct consequence of producers sustaining their production volumes even amid below-average demand, leading to an abundance of stocks. Further, the coal imports in China remained above the expectations of the producers, stabilizing the production cost of naphthalene and, in turn, the pricing pattern of sulphonated naphthalene.

Europe

In European countries, the weak demand from the downstream industries, coupled with a decline in coal prices, exerted negative pressure on the sulphonated naphthalene market. Additionally, the market saw a surge in production activities as the low cost of raw materials gave the manufacturers room to increase their production capacities. Further, the overseas supply chains also worked smoothly, adding to the stockpiles of the commodity. The bearish market sentiments were also supported by the limited support from the European economic sector, constraining consumer spending and forcing the sulphonated naphthalene prices to move southwards.

North America

In the US, sulphonated naphthalene prices dropped due to forecasts of warmer weather, leading to reduced demand. To stay competitive against other exporters, the US market players strategically lowered their pricing. A decline in domestic demand and an increase in exports eventually contributed to the overall price drop.

Despite a supply crunch due to the Red Sea trade route disruption and the Panama Canal's low water levels, sulphonated naphthalene inventories saw slow destocking. However, excessive domestic production prevented the market from fully benefiting from this destocking.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Sulphonated Naphthalene is estimated to dwindle under the pressure of excessive inventories and limited cost support from the feedstock commodities.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Sulphonated Naphthalene. 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.