For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In United States, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell in Q3 2025, driven by weakened overall chemical demand and ample inventories.
• Production costs for Detergent Alcohol rose in Q3 2025, influenced by surging ethylene and elevated naphtha feedstock prices.
• Demand for Detergent Alcohol weakened in Q3 2025, as major customer markets deteriorated and consumer confidence declined to 94.2.
• Overall chemical industry inventories remained ample in Q3 2025, contributing to market oversupply despite destocking efforts.
• US industrial production showed sluggish 0.1% year-over-year growth in September 2025, limiting demand for industrial applications.
• Rising Producer Price Index (PPI) by 2.6% in August 2025 indicated higher input costs for manufacturers.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, indicating general inflation impacting operational costs.
• Retail sales increased 5.42% in September 2025, and a 4.3% unemployment rate supported consumer spending.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in North America?
• Weakened overall chemical demand and declining consumer confidence to 94.2 in September 2025.
• Surging ethylene and elevated naphtha feedstock costs increased production expenses in Q3 2025.
• Ample overall chemical industry inventories contributed to market oversupply in Q3 2025.
APAC
• In China, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased feedstock costs.
• Detergent Alcohol production costs increased in Q3 2025 due to rising vegetable oil feedstock prices.
• Domestic demand for surfactants and industrial detergents improved in China during Q3 2025.
• Retail sales grew 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, supporting consumer product consumption.
• Industrial production increased 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, boosting industrial cleaner demand.
• Export demand for fatty alcohols from China remained strong to neighboring Asian countries in Q3 2025.
• China's CPI declined 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting deflationary pressures.
• The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, signaling broader industrial slowdown.
• Producer Price Index declined 2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating weak industrial pricing.
• Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at 89.6 in September 2025, affecting discretionary spending.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Vegetable oil feedstock costs, a key input for Detergent Alcohol, increased in Q3 2025.
• Domestic demand for surfactants and industrial detergents improved in China during Q3 2025.
• China's CPI declined 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting broader deflationary pressures.
Europe
• In Germany, the Detergent Alcohol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by easing naphtha costs.
• Detergent Alcohol production costs faced mixed trends in Q3 2025, with easing naphtha but rising vegetable oil feedstock costs.
• The manufacturing index showed a contracting trend in September 2025, impacting industrial demand for Detergent Alcohol.
• Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-on-year in September 2025, contributing to weakened overall Detergent Alcohol demand.
• Producer prices decreased by 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating lower input costs for downstream manufacturers.
• Detergent Alcohol demand outlook was mixed; robust in personal care but weakened by declining household consumer spending in Q3 2025.
• Naphtha inventories built up in the Netherlands during Q3 2025, reflecting increased imports and lower demand.
• Consumer confidence declined to -23.6 in September 2025, dampening household purchasing power for consumer goods.
• Retail sales increased by 0.8% year-on-year in September 2025, supported by a 3.9% unemployment rate.
Why did the price of Detergent Alcohol change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Producer prices decreased by 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, reducing manufacturing input costs.
• Naphtha feedstock costs eased in Q3 2025, contributing to downward pressure on derivative prices.
• Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-on-year in September 2025, weakening overall demand.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In the North American region, the Detergent Alcohol market in the fourth quarter of 2023 witnessed several significant factors impacting the prices. Firstly, the inquiries from the downstream Personal Care industries gradually increased, leading to an upward trend in prices. Additionally, the drop in inflationary pressures across the market further supported the favorable market environment for Detergent Alcohol.Ìý
However, the limited production activities and low availability of finished Detergent Alcohol stocks posed challenges for manufacturers. The prices of energy materials, particularly crude oil, rose during this period, contributing to higher manufacturing costs for Detergent Alcohol. Furthermore, the rally in crude oil prices increased the demand for palm oil for biofuel production, resulting in reduced supply for the Personal Care sector.Ìý
Furthermore, in December, Amid the destocking season, manufacturers have opted for price cuts to stimulate new shipments. as per the US Commerce Department, In November, exports contracted as a result of subdued international demand. Both domestic and foreign markets are experiencing a slowdown, attributed to substantial interest rate hikes implemented by global central banks since 2022 to combat elevated inflation, However, The U.S. central bank held its policy rate steady at 5.25-5.50%. The price of Detergent Alcohol C12-15 DEL Louisiana in the USA for the fourth quarter of 2023 is USD 1706/MT.
APAC
The Q4 2023 for Detergent Alcohol in the APAC region was characterized by a stable to bullish market situation with high to moderate demand. The availability of Detergent Alcohol was sufficient to meet the demand from the downstream Surfactant and detergent industries, and there was active demand from the downstream Personal Care industries with the stabilization of economic conditions. In India, solid procurement from the downstream industries has been reported in the fourth quarter of 2023.ÌýÌýHowever, in December, The destocking season has led to a greater inclination to release the inventories at lower prices. In addition, the freight rates remained lower with no major supply-chain disruptions. In addition, upstream Palm Oil prices dropped in the domestic market, as the major exporting nations, Indonesia and Malaysia have reported high inventories leading to a decrease in manufacturing costs of Detergent Alcohol.ÌýIn China, the prices of Detergent Alcohol witnessed a bullish trend with an increment of 3.5% in November, followed by a drop of 1.5% in December. The year-end demand from the downstream personal Cre industries has remained lackluster and as a result, the production activities have contracted to maintain the market equilibrium. The current quarter's price of Detergent Alcohol C12-14 - CFR Shanghai in China is USD 1340/MT.
Europe
The European region's Detergent Alcohol market witnessed a bearish trend in Q4, with moderate to low demand from the downstream end-use industries. Plant shutdowns were not reported by market participants. The top three factors that affected the market were a decline in demand from the Personal Care industries, a decrease in European natural gas prices, and lower operating rates of manufacturing firms.ÌýGermany experienced the most significant changes in prices, with a percentage change of -7% from the previous quarter and a price percentage comparison of 9% between the first and second halves of the quarter.ÌýFurthermore, in December, as per the market participants, the downstream demand entered the off-season in peak winter, which has led to bearish Detergent Alcohol market sentiments. Some Detergent Alcohol companies have initiated scheduled maintenance during a slack season to alleviate the pressure stemming from a rapid uptick in inventory, thereby reducing the operating rates. On the upstream front, the cost support from Palm Oil has been limited as its prices have remained on the lower end. As per ¹û½´ÊÓÆµ, the latest price of Detergent Alcohol C12-14 FOB Hamburg in Germany for the current quarter is USD 1822/MT.
For the Quarter Ending September 2023
North America
In the US market, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have demonstrated a volatile market trend. In early Q3, the decline in consumption from the downstream Personal Care sector prompted the manufacturers to keep the prices of Detergent Alcohol at low levels. In addition, an excess supply of Palm Oil, a key ingredient from Indonesia and Malaysia, combined with reduced orders from China and Europe, has led to lower prices. Consequently, this has driven down production costs for Detergent Alcohol. In line with the current market situation, in the United States, the largest market for P&G (Procter & Gamble), a leading Detergent Alcohol manufacturer, consumers have been favoring more affordable private-label products over P&G's offerings. P&G's fabric and home-care business, which includes brands like Tide and Febreze, has witnessed a 2% decline in its volume. In terms of production, the manufacturing firms have operated at slightly reduced rates to maintain the market balance. On the other hand, the unexpected weather events brought on by Hurricane Hilary impacted the on-loading and offloading activities of the goods across Long Beach and Los Angeles ports. As a ripple effect, Detergent Alcohol C12-15 DEL Louisiana prices were observed at USD 1624 per ton at the end of the third quarter of 2023.
APAC
Through the third quarter of 2023, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have demonstrated mixed market sentiments in Indonesia. In the first half of Q3, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have remained bearish amidst a decline in procurement from the downstream personal care sector. As per the insights shared by regional manufacturers of Detergent Alcohol, the suppressed demand from the Western market has kept the Detergent Alcohol market sluggish in Q3. On the supply side, the availability of finished goods was sufficient despite of it that the plants have operated at reduced rates of 70-80% capacity in the wake of tepid demand fundamentals.Ìý . On the upstream front, the availability of Palm Oil was on the higher end to carry out the production of its downstream derivatives such as Detergent Alcohol. However, in September, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have gained momentum. With an improvement in market conditions, manufacturing activities have expanded in Indonesia. According to market sources, inquiries from the Chinese market have surged as downstream manufacturers have been willing to restock their supplies in advance of the Golden Week Holidays. Consequently, Detergent Alcohol C12-14 FOB Tanjung Priok prices were settled at USD 1202 per ton in September.
Europe
In Germany, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have remained on the lower end in the third quarter of 2023. The decline in demand from the downstream Personal Care sector was responsible for the downshift observed in the price realizations of Detergent Alcohol. Moreover, in July, one of the major Detergent Alcohol manufacturers, Wilmar, announced a force majeure situation at their Rozenburg plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which has an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tons. Additionally, the German Chemical Industry Association has reported an 8% year-on-year decrease in chemical production during the second quarter of 2023. Furthermore, ocean freight rates have experienced a significant drop. Prices for shipping various commodities, including upstream Palm Oil from Asia to the U.S. and Europe, have fallen by as much as 90% since early 2022, primarily due to reduced consumer spending. In addition, the stockpiling of upstream Palm Oil in the key manufacturing nations, Indonesia and Malaysia has resulted in price cuts for the importing countries. Therefore, a plunge has been observed in the quotations for the downstream derivative, Detergent Alcohol. The ¹û½´ÊÓÆµ database has shown that Detergent Alcohol C12-14 FOB Hamburg prices were concluded at USD 1620 per ton in the Q3-end.
For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
At the start of the second quarter of 2023, the decline in demand from the downstream surfactant and detergent sector has pushed the price realizations of Detergent Alcohol to the lower end in the domestic market of the USA. The economic crisis resulting from the collapse of two banks in late Q1 has aggravated market concerns. On the upstream side, the prices of Palm Oil have weakened, which has exerted downward pressure on the prices of Detergent Alcohol. The availability of Detergent Alcohol was sufficient to cater to the terminal demand. The supply-chain constraints have been eased, and the logistics were restored. The shipping costs from North Europe to North America East Coast have declined amidst a slowdown in the global trade of chemicals. Moreover, the Crude Oil inventories have soared, leading to better availability to carry out the production of Detergent Alcohol. In the major exporting countries of upstream Palm Oil, Indonesia and Malaysia, the overproduction and fragile overseas demand have led to a price decrement for importing nations like the USA. The shortage of sufficient market momentum has lingered and weighed upon the price trends of key input raw materials, including Detergent Alcohol.Ìý
APAC
In the domestic market of Indonesia, the prices of Detergent Alcohol have demonstrated mixed market sentiments in the second quarter of 2023. The prices have risen in early Q2 amid improved demand fundamentals from the downstream, surfactant, and detergent industries. Upstream Palm Oil supplies in the domestic region have been constrained by the surge in exports and decreased production levels. However, the limited procurement from the Chinese and Western markets has weakened the market sentiments for Detergent alcohol in the second half of Q2. This has led manufacturers to reduce prices to maintain market stability. Additionally, there has been an ample supply of Palm Oil, as exports have been restricted to ensure sufficient availability within the country. Moreover, the inflation in Southeast Asia's largest economy has settled within the central bank's desired range. The manufacturer's quotations narrowed downward amidst this pessimistic market outlook in late Q2. Overall, on the supply side, the decline in freight charges and improved container rates have ensured a constant flow of finished goods.
Europe
The prices of Detergent Alcohol have demonstrated mixed market sentiments in the domestic market of the United Kingdom. The tight upstream Palm Oil supplies and production cut opted by European manufacturers in the wake of subdued demand in late Q1 has led to limited availability of finished goods in the domestic region. As a result, the manufacturers have revised their offers for importing nations to maintain their profit margins. In an effort to tackle the inflation that has persisted at around 10% since July, the Bank of England authorized its 12th consecutive interest rate hike in May. Economic growth in the UK has been negatively affected by factors such as decreased purchasing power, limited orders from downstream industries, and the effects of a highly aggressive monetary policy tightening, which is the most significant in many decades. Furthermore, the United Kingdom's Consumer Price Index inflation was observed at 8.7% in May 2023, pressuring the market sentiments. The interest rates were also at 4.5%, the highest since September 2008. Overall, the stocks ofÌý Fatty Alcohol finished goods were adequate, as the downstream demand didn't demonstrate any significant growth at the end of the second quarter of 2023.