For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
鈥� In the USA, the Glycol Ether Price Index rose 2.53% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting steady domestic demand.
鈥� The average Glycol Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 1650/MT, FOB Houston reported.
鈥� Glycol Ether Spot Price remained range-bound as distributors controlled allocations and spot availability stayed limited.
鈥� Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend showed limited pressure as ethylene oxide feedstock costs remained unchanged.
鈥� Glycol Ether Demand Outlook stayed moderate, supported by paints, coatings, cleaning sectors and seasonal maintenance activity.
鈥� Glycol Ether Price Forecast suggests range-bound movement near term given inventories, steady supply and end-use demand.
鈥� Glycol Ether Price Index stability reflected distributor restocking, export enquiries, and moderate seasonal painting demand.
鈥� Major Gulf Coast operators reported normal runs, preventing supply shocks and keeping inventories available for regional exports.
Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in September 2025 in North America?
鈥� Balanced production with no major outages limited upside despite steady downstream demand and seasonal repainting activity.
鈥� Stable ethylene oxide feedstock costs constrained production cost escalation, moderating price momentum for glycol ether.
鈥� Adequate inventories and cautious just-in-time buying by paint formulators reduced spot buying and prevented volatility.
APAC
鈥� In South Korea, the Glycol Ether Price Index fell by 9.29% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting inventory build-up.
鈥� The average Glycol Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 1156.00/MT, reported by market sources.
鈥� Glycol Ether Spot Price remained pressured by weak coatings demand and elevated domestic inventory levels.
鈥� Glycol Ether Price Forecast indicates slight upside as exporters defend offers while domestic demand recovers.
鈥� Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend benefitted from stable ethylene oxide and n-butanol feedstock pricing recently.
鈥� Glycol Ether Demand Outlook remains subdued across construction and industrial coatings despite steady automotive uptake.
鈥� Glycol Ether Price Index shows exporter-led firming late August, but balanced supply kept assessments stable.
鈥� Inventory build-ups, steady plant operations, and tepid Southeast Asian exports limited near-term price recovery prospects.
Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in September 2025 in APAC?
鈥� Soft coatings and construction demand reduced domestic offtake, pressuring spot assessments and export activity volumes.
鈥� Stable feedstock ethylene oxide and n-butanol lowered production costs, limiting sellers' need to raise offers.
鈥� Smooth port operations but weak Southeast Asian demand and cautious buyers constrained prompt buying momentum.
Europe
鈥� In Germany, the Glycol Ether Price Index fell by 4.31% quarter-over-quarter due to inventory overhang.
鈥� The average Glycol Ether price for the quarter was approximately USD 1400.00/MT and mirrored stability.
鈥� Glycol Ether Spot Price stayed range-bound as selling and steady production kept the Price Index subdued.
鈥� Glycol Ether Price Forecast indicates sideways movement due to balanced supply and muted downstream consumption.
鈥� Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend eased slightly as ethylene oxide costs softened, reducing producer pressure.
鈥� Glycol Ether Demand Outlook sees industrial coatings and automotive refinishing, while decorative demand remains weak.
鈥� High inventories and export inquiries limited spot activity and tempered the Glycol Ether Price Index.
鈥� Port congestion delayed shipments while major producers ran steady, influencing the Glycol Ether Price Forecast.
Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in September 2025 in Europe?
鈥� Elevated inventories and subdued coatings demand reduced buying, exerting downward pressure on Glycol Ether prices.
鈥� Softer ethylene oxide feedstock costs lowered production expenses in September, moderating cost-push on Price Index.
鈥� Hamburg logistics delays and cautious restocking limited spot liquidity, preventing meaningful upward Price Index moves.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America听
鈥� The Glycol Ether Price Index in North America saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 6.2% in Q2 2025, as prices increased to USD 1628/MT FOB Houston primarily due to steady demand and escalating feedstock and upstream costs.听
鈥� Despite modest fluctuations, the Glycol Ether Spot Price remained bullish by the end of June.
鈥� Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in July 2025 in USA?
鈥� In early July 2025, the Price Index remained on a bullish trajectory due to sustained cost pressures from upstream crude oil and Ethylene Oxide. The price uptick in the third week was underpinned by the Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend, influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, notably Israel-Iran conflict threats affecting global oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz.
鈥� Demand Outlook for Glycol Ether was stable, supported by consistent consumption in cosmetics (fragrance reformulations) and paints & coatings, especially in infrastructure and commercial construction. However, residential demand was comparatively sluggish.
鈥� With no major supply disruptions, domestic production remained stable, ensuring steady material flow. However, producers marginally increased offers to reflect rising costs, resulting in a price increase mid-June, followed by another increase by end-June.
础笔础颁听
鈥� The Glycol Ether Price Index in China declined by 10.2% to USD 1215/MT CFR Qingdao quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2025, reflecting a bearish market trend driven by high inventory levels and sluggish downstream demand, especially in coatings and cleaning sectors.
鈥� Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in July 2025 in China?
鈥� In early July 2025, the Price Index witnessed a decline, driven by weak industrial activity, rising inventories, and lower imports from South pressuring CFR Qingdao values to settle lower.
鈥� The Glycol Ether Spot Price softened amid a subdued Demand Outlook, as industrial recovery lagged behind expectations. Weakened activity in printing inks, coatings, and cleaning agents contributed to the drop.
鈥� On the supply side, South Korean producers continued offering competitively amid regional oversupply and weak export activity. Lower prices for feedstock n-butanol further contributed to the negative Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend.
贰耻谤辞辫别听
鈥� The European Glycol Ether Price Index fell by 2.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2025, driven by mixed demand, logistical constraints, and muted downstream activity in key sectors such as paints, coatings, and personal care.
鈥� Why did the price of Glycol Ether change in July 2025 in Germany?
鈥� In early July 2025, the Price Index decreased largely due to subdued off-takes, increased inventory levels, and weak sentiment in decorative coatings and personal care sectors.听
鈥� The Glycol Ether Spot Price remained under pressure despite rising feedstock Ethylene Oxide costs caused by escalating upstream Brent crude prices. Geopolitical tensions and threats to global oil supply chains further complicated the cost structure.
鈥� The Glycol Ether Demand Outlook remained cautious, impacted by summer slowdown in construction and lower consumption in personal care segments. At the same time, the Glycol Ether Production Cost Trend remained high, compressing margins amid limited buyer willingness to absorb elevated prices.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Glycol Ether market in North America displayed a bullish trend during the first quarter of 2025, driven by supply-side disruptions and fluctuating demand across various industries. Early in the quarter, prices rose due to increased demand for antifreeze in the automotive sector, which lifted feedstock Ethylene Oxide prices and boosted production costs. The bullish trend continued into late January, with international stocking ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays adding further pressure.
In the mid-quarter, continued upward price movements as supply disruptions, including a maintenance shutdown at MEGlobal's Freeport facility, combined with geopolitical factors like trade tariffs, created tighter market conditions. The Arctic Blast in February also impacted production, particularly in regions reliant on propane for heating, exacerbating supply concerns. Despite these disruptions, demand remained moderate across industries. The cosmetics sector showed growth driven by eco-friendly product trends, while the pharmaceutical industry faced uncertainty due to regulatory challenges. The paints and coatings sector also saw moderate demand, particularly for sustainable formulations.
Towards the end of Q1, prices stabilized as supply and demand dynamics balanced, although ongoing port congestion and trade disruptions, coupled with tariff concerns, kept market participants cautious. Overall, Q1 2025 ended with a mixed yet generally positive trend for Glycol Ether prices in North America.
APAC
During the first quarter of 2025, the Glycol Ether market in Asia saw a combination of stability and moderate fluctuations driven by shifting demand dynamics and geopolitical factors. The quarter began with a stable price trend, as feedstock Ethylene Oxide costs remained steady despite reduced demand from Mono Ethylene Glycol manufacturers. The automotive sector in Southeast Asia showed growth due to the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), but demand from the FMCG sector remained stable. As January progressed, prices saw slight increases as market participants adjusted their quotations in anticipation of the Lunar New Year holidays. In mid-Q1, the market experienced more volatility, with rising costs from feedstock Ethylene Oxide and disruptions in the global oil market affecting production costs. Despite this, demand for Glycol Ether remained consistent in the Cosmetics, Personal Care, and pharmaceutical sectors. As the quarter concluded, prices softened as upstream Ethylene and n-butanol prices declined, leading to eased production costs. Demand continued to be strong in the paints & coatings sector, especially in automotive and infrastructure projects in India, China, and Southeast Asia. Overall, Q1 2025 ended with stable pricing, although uncertainties surrounding geopolitical factors and global trade dynamics maintained a cautious outlook.
Europe
The Glycol Ether market in Europe experienced a mixed trend during Q1 2025, characterized by stability and challenges. Early in the quarter, the market faced bearish price movements due to weak demand across the Eurozone. However, the first half of February saw a more balanced trend as production levels stabilized and cost support from feedstock Ethylene Oxide improved, driven by higher demand from Mono Ethylene Glycol manufacturers. Despite disruptions at European ports due to adverse weather, which caused some supply chain delays, demand across key industries like cosmetics, paints, and coatings remained steady. As the quarter progressed, prices began to show upward momentum, particularly in late February, when geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions, including attacks on Russian pipelines, raised upstream costs, putting pressure on Glycol Ether production costs. The quarter concluded with a stable price trend, with the market maintaining a balance between supply and demand despite continued challenges. The demand for Glycol Ether remained moderate, with resilience in the cosmetics sector and stable performance in the automotive industry, while the paints and coatings sector experienced mixed conditions. However, geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and labor strikes at European ports added to the complexities of the supply chain, causing further disruptions. As the quarter ended, the demand dynamics remained cautious, with steady demand for sustainable and eco-friendly applications in the paints and coatings industry, particularly in flexible packaging.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Glycol Ether market experienced a bullish trend, with prices increasing by nearly 30% compared to the previous quarter. At the beginning of the quarter, prices rose due to low supply availability and steady demand from various sectors, particularly cosmetics and personal care.
Production rates remained stable, and feedstock Ethylene Oxide costs were moderate, though rising energy prices provided additional cost support. By mid-quarter, in November, prices continued to rise due to a surge in demand, especially from the U.S. personal care sector, bolstered by increased e-commerce sales during Black Friday. At the same time, higher feedstock costs for Ethylene Oxide contributed to the upward price movement.
Towards the end of Q4, production remained steady, while costs rose further due to growing demand for automotive antifreeze and eco-friendly products in the paints and coatings sector. Despite lower export demand from regions like Europe and Australia, domestic demand remained strong, driven by both the cosmetics sector and paints and coatings industry, ensuring the bullish trend carried into the end of the year.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Glycol Ether market experienced a slight 3% decrease compared to the previous quarter. At the beginning of Q4, the market remained stable, with moderate production rates and steady demand from key sectors, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. However, the market faced challenges from increasing inventory levels in the domestic market and reduced exports to China, influenced by supply chain disruptions caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey. This led to downward pressure on prices as buyers held back purchases in anticipation of the winter season. In mid-Q4, the market remained relatively stable, with feedstock costs unchanged and steady demand, particularly from the K-beauty sector, which drove consistent consumption. Exports showed modest growth, while manufacturing activity in South Korea showed signs of recovery. However, towards the end, despite stable production, rising crude oil prices and supply chain pressures continued to weigh on the market, alongside a decline in South Korea's manufacturing output. The strong growth of K-beauty exports and a rise in demand from the paints and coatings sector helped stabilize demand. Despite these positive factors, the overall market saw a slight reduction in prices due to the previous quarter's strong inventory buildup and reduced export activity, resulting in a 3% price decline.
Europe
The Glycol Ether market showed stable conditions throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, with production rates remaining intermediate and feedstock availability moderate. In the beginning of the quarter, market dynamics were steady, with low export rates and an increase in domestic inventory levels. Demand from the cosmetics and paints sectors was consistent, while exports continued to decline, widening the trade imbalance between imports and exports. By mid-quarter, production rates remained stable, though supply disruptions due to storm-induced rail congestion led to further inventory build-up. Demand from the cosmetics sector stayed firm, particularly driven by retail activity around Black Friday, while the paints and coatings market saw steady consumption despite economic uncertainties. Towards the end of the quarter, the market faced logistical bottlenecks, particularly with tight export shipping capacity and supply chain disruptions. Production rates remained stable with moderate feedstock availability, but the overall demand showed signs of stagnation. Although the cosmetics and paints sectors kept demand steady, the quarter ended with a slight 1% decrease, driven by the logistical constraints and moderate consumption levels across key industries.
