Asia
In 2025, the 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) market in Asia experienced a mostly soft and irregular price trend. The market was challenged by weak demand from its downstream sectors like polymers, resins, and specialty chemicals. Moreover, weak industrial activity was experienced in associated petrochemical chains like propylene oxide and polypropylene. This resulted in low production costs, hence a lack of demand for 1,3 PDO-based products. China’s domestic production was robust, contributing to a build-up of inventory. This meant that the market was characterized by a lack of confidence throughout 2025. Overall, the 1,3 PDO market in Asia moved in a slightly downward trend throughout 2025.
Europe
In Europe, the price trend of 1,3-PDO in 2025 was stable to slightly weak. The market opened the year with good supply and moderate demand from end-use markets such as engineering plastics, coatings, and polyols. The economic environment was not favorable for the market due to the weak economic growth rate and the slowdown in the automotive and construction markets. The downstream markets of polyethers and polyols were also affected by excess capacity and increasing imports, thereby affecting the demand for 1,3-PDO. The stable feedstock and production levels prevented a sharp decline in prices; the market was just stable with little upward movement during the whole year.
North America
The 1,3-PDO market in North America exhibited a mixed but weak trend in 2025. Prices declined due to lower crude oil and propylene prices, which reduced production costs and put downward pressure on the market, especially during the mid-year period. Demand from the polypropylene, packaging, and consumer goods industries was also weak, which resulted in high inventories. In addition, trade tensions and rising crude oil inventories also put pressure on the market, especially during the mid-year period, as they reduced demand for 1,3-PDO. However, during the latter half of the year, tightening inventories provided support to the market, but demand from the polypropylene, packaging, and consumer goods industries was still cautious.