Tetrahydrofuran Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

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

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

Tetrahydrofuran (THF)prices in India surged during the first quarter of 2022. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent interruption of China's supply chains, the Indian pharmaceutical sector became increasingly reliant on Chinese imports.

Tetrahydrofuran offers ex-depot Chennai were reported at 8641 USD/MT in the Indian market in March. Additionally, as a result of widespread energy worries, China's output curtailed, and the APAC region's availability of several pharmaceutical feedstocks and solvents dropped.

Europe

Domestic tetrahydrofuran prices in the European region returned to a reasonable level in Q1 2022, following a significant increase. THF demand from pharmaceuticals, an important downstream market, remained largely stable, despite rising demand for other essential solvents. Due to geopolitical tensions, the Russia-Ukraine war put upward pressure on upstream values, resulting in a regional demand-supply mismatch for a number of commodities.

Maleic Anhydride and Butanediol costs also decreased to a certain point, and the price differential between raw materials and Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was reported to be significant owing to the supply and demand mismatch. CFR bids were so offered at 5160 USD/MT for the March 2022 quarter.

North America

Tetrahydrofuran prices increased by 3% in the first quarter of 2022, from 4180 USD/MT in February to 4180 USD/MT in March. The pricing rise in February was due to a shortage of products in the nation and increased demand from the pharmaceutical business. In the United States, THF's growing pricing trend was backed by a fragmented supply chain and high freight expenses.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

Tetrahydrofuran prices increased in the final quarter of 2021, as numerous pharmaceutical businesses in India complained about a lack of THF solvents owing to China's October production cut. During the fourth quarter, upstream 1,4-butanediol (BDO) prices increased.

Additionally, as a result of China's dual control strategy in response to energy-related concerns, India's availability of certain pharmaceutical feedstocks and solvents has diminished. Tetrahydrofuran prices climbed as a result, eventually stabilizing at around 571940 INR/MT Ex-Depot Chennai in December.

Europe

Tetrahydrofuran prices in Europe increased significantly in Q4 2021, in line with global market dynamics. Due to a serious supply shortfall, European manufacturers of upstream BDO producers have been inundated with queries from Asia.

Due to persistent demand and scarcity of supplies, major manufacturers such as Ashland increased THF pricing in Europe in November. Demand from downstream producers of Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) was robust throughout the quarter.

North America

Tetrahydrofuran prices increased in the North American market during the fourth quarter, owing to increased demand from downstream sectors. Additionally, storm Ida struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, forcing the closure of numerous industrial plants due to power outages in the area, which impacted Q4 as well. Due to interruptions in logistics as a result of the climatic calamity, supply restrictions resulted in a rise in upstream Butanediol costs in the region this quarter.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

In Asia, strong demand from a variety of downstream sectors combined with constrained supply pushed Tetrahydrofuran prices higher in Q1 2021. Congestion on the Europe-Asia route resulted in a scarcity of both BDO and THF. Tetrahydrofuran prices in India increased from 2436.2 USD/MT in January to 2597.4 USD/MT in March, owing to worldwide inflation in petrochemical pricing. The Asian market for THF was constant to robust throughout second quarter, despite reduced supply.

In May, India saw a sharp increase in costs, owing to delayed imports and crippled supply activity caused by the country's continuing epidemic. Tetrahydrofuran prices in India hovered around 5381 USD/MT in May.

In Asia's third quarter of 2021, the general market prognosis indicated an increasing trend. In India, rising freight costs combined with constant to robust local demand resulted in a considerable increase in THF pricing. A considerable increase in prices was noticed from July to September, when they increased from 4996 USD/MT to 5810 USD/MT Ex-Depot Chennai.

Europe

LyondellBasell's upstream PO manufacturing facility in Rotterdam was forced to shut down owing to technical difficulties, affecting THF production throughout the area and consequently increasing its pricing. BASF was heard favorably boosting the prices of BDO and THF in both January and March in Europe.

Demand from downstream sectors, along with a severe lack of feedstock chemicals, drove up prices across Europe in Q2 2021. Feedstock BDO prices have risen dramatically internationally as a result of a significant scarcity caused by reduced production activity. Prices increased across the European region during the third quarter. Imports from Asian nations decreased significantly as a result of a variety of causes, including rising logistical costs, restricted vessel capacity, and price hikes in Asia.

North America

THF availability in North America remained constrained in Q1 2021 because of regional feedstock BDO scarcities. The price of BDO and THF rose by 330 USD/MT and 440.5 USD/MT, respectively, effective 1st April 2021. Some producers expressed concern that government involvement might significantly constrain US THF supply in the future quarters.

Tetrahydrofuran prices increased significantly in the North America area in the second quarter, owing to a major scarcity of feedstock chemicals. Prolonged disruptions in production across the United States resulted in a dramatic increase in the price of BDO. Tetrahydrofuran prices in North America increased by 550 USD/MT in May.

Throughout the third quarter of 2021, prices increased across the North American area. During the quarter, robust demand from the downstream pharmaceutical sector continued to provide excellent profits for producers.

For the Year 2020

Asia

In India, construction workers were kept away from job sites, which caused a pause on approximately 20,000 active projects in the country. Berger Paints, India's second-largest paint manufacturer, reported a 6.5 percent reduction in consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31 to INR 1,032 million (USD13.76 million).

Due to the pandemic, the petrochemical industry was also negatively impacted and thus impacted the polymer industry. Owing to all these considerations, the tetrahydrofuran market was significantly influenced by COVID-19.

North America

The supply of BDO and derivatives in the United States was critically low, owing to production restrictions in the critical automobile industry, among other concerns. According to various market sources, the US supply of BDO derivative polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) was low, with an unplanned government order taking priority over contract clients.

The BDO derivative tetrahydrofuran, a precursor to PTMEG, was also subject to a separate government contract, further constraining supplies. THF was the primary market for BDO, accounting for more than 40% of US BDO output in 2020.

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