Acetaldehyde Price Trend and Forecast

Acetaldehyde Regional Price Overview

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

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the Q4 of 2024

Asia

In Asia, acetaldehyde markets experienced significant volatility during Q4'24. The market was primarily influenced by its key feedstock ethylene, which saw robust demand but faced supply constraints. Chinese demand remained the key driver, particularly from the chemical intermediates sector. However, production costs stayed elevated due to higher ethylene prices and infrastructure bottlenecks affecting raw material availability.
 

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Southeast Asian producers struggled with margin pressure as they competed with Chinese domestic production. The quarter ended with a slight upward trend as several regional facilities underwent planned maintenance, tightening supply.

Europe

European acetaldehyde markets faced a challenging quarter, marked by reduced production rates and tight supply conditions. The situation was exacerbated by high energy costs and limited ethylene availability. Several producers opted to reduce operating rates due to poor margins, particularly in Eastern Europe. Demand from the construction sector remained subdued due to seasonal factors, while the pharmaceutical and chemical intermediates sectors provided some support. The market saw some improvement in December as energy prices moderated and supply chains showed signs of stabilization.

North America

The North American market showed more stability compared to other regions, benefiting from better feedstock availability due to robust domestic ethylene production. However, the quarter wasn't without challenges as several production facilities faced unexpected outages due to severe weather conditions in December. Demand from downstream sectors remained steady, particularly from the construction and automotive industries. The region's producers maintained healthy operating rates throughout most of the quarter, though margins faced pressure from rising logistics costs and competition from imports.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Acetaldehyde market is expected to remain cautiously optimistic heading into 2025, with potential improvement in supply-demand balance as new capacity comes online in Asia. However, much will depend on feedstock ethylene prices and energy costs, particularly in Europe.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

Asia

The prices of Acetaldehyde showed mixed dynamics in the Asian markets during the third quarter of 2024. The price trajectory depended on a combination of factors such as upstream feedstock prices, downstream demand, shutdowns in productions enterprises, and logistical challenges. A resemblance was seen between the Acetaldehyde and ethylene, a key feedstock, price curves throughout the quarter. Initially, the prices showed a declining trend, facing pressure from the consolidating downstream market.

The demand from the resin sector was weak as downstream industries had to deal with an oversupply situation. The raw material procurement from downstream production houses was cautious in the said period, and they decreased their production capacities to deal with the dampening end consumer demands and manage the inventories. After this, they started inclining around September again, driven by the rise in demand from the construction sector, as the Chinese government announced an infrastructure stimulus package for the troubled property sector.

Europe

The prices of Acetaldehyde in the European market mirrored the prices trajectory of the Asian market in Q3'24. The oscillating rates of upstream raw materials provided limited cost support, which made the prices of Acetaldehyde remain within a limited range. The downstream industries, especially plasticizers and resins, were facing downward pressure from the troubled construction sector. Demand was weak, it was balanced out by the existing supplies, keeping the prices oscillating in a limited range.

North America

In the American market, the outlook was not very different from its Asian and European counterparts. The prices were found to be consolidated for the most part. The upstream market fluctuated marginally. Apart from this, acetaldehyde consumption had to suffer as it was put up for risk evaluation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due environmental and health concerns raised by its use in paints and coatings. This made the market to enter wait and see attitude, halting new orders from downstream industries temporarily.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the prices of Acetaldehyde are expected to fluctuate in the coming months. The downstream consumption from the construction sector will remain the key driver with support from the feedstock prices.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Acetaldehyde prices observed a mixed dynamic in the Asian markets during the second quarter of the year 2024. With a multidirectional alignment of the driving factors, the market remained consolidated for the most part. The manufacturing outlook was rather bearish as the feedstock costs were mostly exerting downward pressure on the price graph. However, the demand dynamics were relatively more supportive.

In China, the economy was reshaping itself very quickly. The stimulus boost for the real estate sector showed some immediate effects, one being a rise in demand for construction supplies. This directly promoted the consumption of acetaldehyde from the downstream sectors. Similarly, in the Indian markets, the rapid infrastructure development kept the demand curve inclined for acetaldehyde, supporting the pricing outlook positively.

Europe

Mirroring the steadiness in the Asian markets, the European acetaldehyde markets were also exerting borderline stability during the said period of Q2’24. Despite a fall in crude oil prices, the freight costs, especially over the Red Sea, remained high, exacerbated by the disruptions in the said region. Regular pirate attacks had limited the number of ships passing through the Suez Canal. Therefore, the import costs were high.

Domestic production was supportive and was complimented by an optimistic demand pattern. The Russian war is in its third year; thereby, the region has developed its ways of functioning around it. Overall, the European acetaldehyde market witnessed swift normalization during the given time span.

North America

In the American acetaldehyde market, the market outlook was not very different from its Asian and European counterparts. The prices were found to be consolidated and limit-bound here as well. The upstream costs were slightly wavering with declining feedstock costs; however, a supporting demand dynamic kept the market anchored the entire time. Overall, a very neutral and regular market performance was witnessed for acetaldehyde during the said period.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the downstream consumption from the construction sector will remain the key driver for acetaldehyde markets in the coming few months. Markets are expected to remain buoyant going forward.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

In the first quarter of 2024, the price trajectory of acetaldehyde in the Asian market swindled throughout the quarter. The Indian market started the month of January on a strong front because of the ongoing rise in the price of crude oil.

The war with the major producers of oil continued till the middle of the quarter, raising the pricing trajectory of acetaldehyde. However, in the later months, the drop in demand from the downstream industries and the constriction of consumer’s spending budget shifted the overall sentiments of the market towards the southward direction.

As demand constraints subsided over the course of the quarter, acetaldehyde prices in China and India declined. The traders also noticed only mild movements in the number of bulk orders and a declined pace of industrial growth amid the loss of exports due to the Red Sea blockage, resulting in fluctuations in the acetaldehyde price trend.

Europe

During the first quarter of 2024, persistent geopolitical challenges and trade sanctions in the European countries, trade dynamics of the region remained under pressure, exerting a negative influence on the acetaldehyde pricing dynamics.

In the crude oil sector, the existent sanctions on Russian imports and the sudden closure of domestic production units raised the cost of crude oil and, in turn, operational prices. On the other hand, the procurement rates from the downstream industries and consumer confidence in the market were tepid amid the depreciating condition of the economy, eventually leading to a wavering trend in the acetaldehyde price trend.

North America

In the first quarter of 2024, the acetaldehyde prices in the US were heavily influenced by the pricing movements of its feedstock ethylene. The shutdown of global plants led to a hike in feedstock ethylene prices, while increased demand from downstream food industries and geopolitical tensions raised the bar of crude oil prices, leading to an escalation in the prices of acetaldehyde. Additionally, robust demand from the food industry and its derivative fields also helped in the surge in the acetaldehyde price trend.

On the international front, strong demand for US products in the European countries amid the rising tensions with its neighbors increased the export rates of the region, exerting a positive influence on the acetaldehyde market dynamics. Also, in view of the rising inflation pressure, several chemical producers, such as QQ Chemicals and BASF, also increased their quotations of basic chemicals, driving the acetaldehyde price upward.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Acetaldehyde is estimated to be influenced heavily by its feedstock prices and limited movement of the downstream industries in the forthcoming quarters.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

Asia

Acetaldehyde price trend for the said period were primarily dictated by its market demand patterns from various consumption industries. Along with these demands, another major guiding factor for the acetaldehyde price trend was the cost of production, which was substantially influenced by the procurement prices of its feedstock material, ethylene. During Q4’23, the acetaldehyde prices were observed to be tottering within a very limited range in the Asian market.

Borderline stagnancy was experienced in the price trend as the gap between the supply and demand dynamics was largely consistent. The Chinese acetaldehyde market’s performance was relatively better than the Indian acetaldehyde market owed to the busier downstream industries. Overall, mixed market sentiments were witnessed by acetaldehyde during the final quarter of the year 2023.

Europe

The acetaldehyde price trend in the European market were observed to be plummeting for the majority of the discussed time. The depreciation in ethylene prices pushed the acetaldehyde market trend down; moreover, the dull domestic demands also didn’t help the market’s performance much. These sluggish outlooks led to dwindling trend in the European acetaldehyde market.

North America

The American acetaldehyde market mirrored the European market as the prices wavered at the lower end of the curve. Supply chain hindrances in the global market and crashing crude oil prices forced the acetaldehyde prices southwards in the concerned market. Overall, dull market trend were witnessed in Q4’23.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Acetaldehyde price trend are likely to turn positive in the coming months. Along with the supply and demand variables, various other macroeconomic indicators will also influence these market trend.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

Acetaldehyde or Ethanaldehyde is a versatile organic compound consumed in various industries like pharma, plastics, food and beverages, solvents, fuel, etc. So, the consumption patterns from these industries are projected on the price curve for Acetaldehyde. Along with this, the feedstock ethanol and acetic acid market trend also determine the market behavior for Acetaldehyde.

The third quarter of 2023 showed a consistent inclination in Acetaldehyde price trend in the Asian markets. The demands from the end user consumer sections showed good improvements. Further, the upstream cost support from the feedstock side was also very positive. Overall, affirmative market sentiments were observed during the said period.

Europe

The European market trend were in accordance with the Asian market trend for Acetaldehyde during Q3’23. The booming downstream demands from the pharma and chemical sectors positively guided the Acetaldehyde market sentiments. Feedstock acetic acid also provided relevant cost support. With moderate queries and high economic inflation in the region, the Acetaldehyde prices rode upwards for the entire period of Q3’23.

North America

In the North American markets, fluctuating market trend were observed for Acetaldehyde in the third quarter of 2023. The first half of the quarter witnessed the market struggle to keep up with the prices since the demands were baffling. However, some recovery was reported in the latter half of the quarter as market offtakes started picking up slowly. The improvements were still marginal but positive. Overall, mixed market sentiments were observed.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Acetaldehyde market is estimated to project inclining trend in the coming months. A positive supply and demand dynamic is expected to guide the market sentiments.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The Asian acetaldehyde market exhibited mixed price patterns tottering on the lower side during the said period. The major reason for lowered trend was the decline in demand from downstream construction and the pharma sector because of already overstocked inventories, especially in the Chinese domestic market. Feedstock prices were also unable to provide relevant cost support, instead creating additional cost pressure.

Reduced freight prices also contributed to the price dips. So, reduced upstream costs and dull demands drove the price trend. Some fluctuations were noticed during the quarter change, but general market sentiments were shallow and shaky. On the contrary, production in the Indian market was still somewhat stable due to ongoing industrial expansion, but here too, prices were riddled, and demand driven.

Europe

Mixed price sentiments for Acetaldehyde were observed in the European market in the first half of 2023. Initially, at the beginning of the first quarter, prices showed an upward inclination, majorly because of the inflationary pressure the European economies were struggling with.

However, in the middle of Q1, statistics reversed as the freight situations improved and cheap Asian imports got better access to the European market. In the second quarter, weak downstream demands dominated Acetaldehyde price sentiments. As availability increased and demands decreased, prices started levitating towards the lower side and continued fluctuating in the same manner throughout the discussed period.

North America

The North American acetaldehyde market also exhibited mixed patterns in the first two quarters of 2023. Prices depended greatly on feedstock ethylene prices. The prices showed a positive upward inclination in the first quarter while they shifted gears with the onset of the second quarter. The prices suffered with the dwindling demands and saturated market inventories.

Analyst Insight

According to the Procurement Resource, acetaldehyde prices are expected to continue with mixed price behaviour, as both the upstream costs (feedstock) and downstream demand will likely remain unsettled.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia

Acetaldehyde price trend in Asia showed a very mixed pattern. While end-consumer demand drove acetaldehyde prices in India, manufacturing hurdles because of zero covid policies remained the determining factor in the case of Chinese acetaldehyde market trend. In India, Q3 witnessed a rise but Q4 witnessed both a rise and a fall, demands went up a little during the festive season because of the preservative and flavouring industries. But Chinese market remained sluggish attributed to low production activities for acetaldehyde aided by consistently low market demands.

Europe

After a strong run in the first half of 2022, the acetaldehyde prices in the second half maintained a downward inclination for a good amount of time. A drop in feedstock ethanol prices and a major drop in market demand consequently facilitated the deceleration of acetaldehyde price trend.

Supply chain disruptions didn’t affect the prices initially as the inventory stocks were able to cater to the sullen demands, but as the year-end approached feedstock costs impacted the price trend and pushed the acetaldehyde market up a little bit. Higher inflation and freight disruptions had an impact on the upstream costs. Overall, a mixed-price sentiment was observed for acetaldehyde.

North America

The North American market showed a very fluctuating behaviour of acetaldehyde price trend. Overall, a slightly wavering, but steady demand pattern was observed, so the feedstock ethanol prices and availability determined the acetaldehyde prices. Whenever the feedstock became limiting, prices took a high hit, and whenever ample availability and subdued demand were observed, prices fell. High inflation and constricted supply chains became the major reasons for hindrance in feedstock supply occasionally. Overall, acetaldehyde market trend in North America stayed afloat.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the aldehyde market is expected to observe a mixed market sentiment. An almost stable downstream demand pattern is expected, and feedstock ethanol prices and availability will determine the price trend for Acetaldehyde.
 

Acetaldehyde Price Trend For the First Half of 2022

Asia

The surging crude oil prices during the first quarter affected the petrochemical industry heavily. Acetaldehyde prices soared in the Asian market as feedstock ethylene and ethanol prices rose drastically owing to supply side shortages and trade bottlenecks. Despite the high upstream costs, the demand from the downstream industries like paints and dyes remained robust, supporting the higher prices in the market.

However, under these constraints, the petrochemical industry collapsed in the second quarter. Reduced buyers’ confidence in the market and muted demand led to over piling of inventories forcing the sellers to sell at lower prices to make room for new production. The feedstock ethylene and ethanol cost averaged 1166-1176 USD/MT CFR Northeast Asia and 7150 RMB/MT, respectively, in the second quarter.

Europe

The economic backlash unleashed in the European region owing to the Russian-Ukrainian geopolitical stance triggered an acute energy crisis. The surging oil and gas prices, trade restrictions, heightened freight costs, and solid downstream demand kept acetaldehyde prices afloat in the European market. The acetaldehyde prices averaged 1430 USD/MT CFR France during the first quarter.

The prices remained strong even in the second quarter, owing to the inflated costs of feedstock ethylene and ethanol. The European embargo on Russian oil, retaliatory sanctions, and lowered exports from Asian nations tripped the price trend for Acetaldehyde towards the higher side of the scale. Feedstock ethylene and ethanol prices averaged 1759-1768 USD/MT FD Northwest Europe and 1.3 USD/litre, respectively, in the European domestic arena.

North America

Acetaldehyde prices followed the same price trend as the European market. The limited availability of feedstock, lower imports, trade bottlenecks, and heightened freight costs amid the booming end-user demand caused the prices to rise drastically. The feedstock ethanol price averaged 0.8 USD/litre in the second quarter.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Acetaldehyde. 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.