Carbolic Acid Price Trends and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

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

For the Second Quarter of 2022

Asia

For the second quarter, the price trends for carbolic acid in the Chinese market exhibited a fluctuating tendency. The zero-tolerance covid policy placed the Chinese domestic market under strict lockdown in April and May. The country's buying and selling activities were impacted by the domestic market's ongoing suspension, which led to product stockpiling. Moreover, the Shanghai port closure hampered trade, driving down the prices of carbolic acid. Later, the lockdown was lifted by June, allowing the local markets to resume. After the domestic market resumed, there was bullish demand seen from that market. As a result, for the quarter ending June 2022, the price of carbolic acid settled at 1660 USD/MT CFR Qingdao.

Europe

In the second quarter, the carbolic acid market in Germany had continuous growth. The cost of carbolic acid increased as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to higher upstream crude, feedstock benzene, and cumene prices. The price of carbolic acid was also driven up by the growing demand from the local and regional markets.

Due to the high freight expenses brought on by the rising fuel prices, the traders were obliged to alter their offers. The market for carbolic acid was further inflated by the rising demand for the downstream derivatives Biscarbolic acid A and carbolic acidic Resins. In June, the price of carbolic acid averaged 2100 USD/MT.

North America

In North America, there were conflicting feelings about the price of carbolic acid during the second quarter of 2022. As a result of the decreased demand for the downstream derivatives BPA and carbolic acidic resin, the price first declined in April and May. The product was stocked due to the unfavourable purchasing emotions in the Chinese market brought on by the covid comeback.

As a result, the huge levels of stockpiles on the domestic market eventually lowered the price of carbolic acid. Later, the carbolic acid market strengthened in June as a result of the skyrocketing upstream crude. Moreover, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which raised the price of carbolic acid. As a result, in the quarter ending June 2022, the price of carbolic acid settled at 1770 USD/ MT FOB US Gulf.

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

Due to Hindustan Organics' plant turnaround in early January, the Asia market saw a constant climb in price trend throughout the quarter ending March. Furthermore, carbolic acid prices have continued to grow due to a supply imbalance from China as a result of market closures during the Winter Olympics and Lunar Holidays. Furthermore, the upstream crude oil price surge influenced the carbolic acid price pattern. Demand from downstream automotive and electronic sectors increased in the regional market, indicating an upward price trend. The price in India was set at 1785 USD/MT going forward.

Europe

Due to an increase in regional demand, carbolic acid prices in Europe increased during the quarter ending in March. Aside from geopolitical tensions, petroleum costs have soared, putting upward pressure on the price of the chemical. The increasing oil price has had a significant impact on petroleum feedstocks, which influenced road and rail transportation. However, the price of the chemical has risen due to increased demand from cosmetics manufacturers as a result of an increase in youthful consumers. As a result, the price of carbolic acid in Germany increased to 1805 USD/MT.

North America

In North America, carbolic acid prices increased a little in the first quarter of 2022. Firm demand for its derivatives from importing countries, as well as applications in downstream cosmetics and automotive industries, led to a gradual price increasing trend. Aside from the increased demand, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict caused shipments to be rerouted, resulting in delayed supplies on the international market.

Furthermore, container freight costs reached new highs as the US cargo deficit remained. In addition, the rising price of upstream crude oil has impacted the feedstock benzene, which has supported the higher price trajectory of carbolic acid in the region. In March, the FOB USA price stabilised at 1410 USD/MT.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

Since the holiday season in October, market emotions have been drifting in the fourth quarter of 2021. Following the energy crisis in the region, rising availability in China enhanced supply in India. Hindustan Organics implemented a turnaround at its carbolic acid and acetone factory in India in mid-November due to shrinking margins. Due to the delayed resumption of operations at Hindustan Organics Carbolic Acid Plant, prices skyrocketed. Carbolic acid prices started to drift again in late December as a result of sluggish demand for the commodity on international markets.

As the year ended, market players were modifying their price adjustments to clear excess supplies because demand in India had been rather flat. In December, carbolic acid prices in India were close to 1480 USD/MT due to low demand.

Europe

Carbolic acid prices in Europe continually fell throughout the last two months of the fourth quarter of 2021. The freight rates and supply chain disruptions had stabilised at the start of the quarter, but the region's energy crisis allowed for high operational costs. Even though manufacturing carbolic acid prices were stable, demand for the chemical remained muted as inquiries declined due to the year-end downturn. Carbolic acid prices fell to roughly 1725 USD/MT in December because to weak demand and abundant supply.

North America

North America had seen a steady fall in demand as supplies improved significantly in the fourth quarter of 2021. After the hurricane Ida, supply was progressively restored in quarter 3 when plant activities were resumed. By the fourth quarter, the plant's operating capacity had returned to near-normal levels, resulting in abundant product supply.

The demand for solvents from the paints, coatings, and automotive industries fell due to a seasonal slowdown in the region. Inventories had also built up in some nations, resulting in poor export demand. However, by the end of December 2021, demand in the domestic markets had stabilised carbolic acid's decreasing trend. FOB prices in the United States were 1470 USD/MT in December.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

Supplies in Asia increased in the first quarter as maintenance turnaround times at numerous industrial sites came to a conclusion. However, supplies remained scarce because most operations were halted due to the Chinese Lunar Year. The market had a stock replenishment in mid-March, which was followed by an increase in demand from carbolic acidic resin manufacturers.

Acetone, which is a by-product of the chemical, was also in high demand. The spike in demand drove up domestic carbolic acid prices, while supplies remained mild. In the first quarter of 2021, average carbolic acid prices in India were around 1204 USD/MT, while CFR prices were around 1016 USD/MT.

In the second quarter of 2021, market sentiments in the Asia Pacific area were mixed. Despite the fact that the second wave of Covid-19 had a devastating impact in numerous Indian states, local carbolic acid market demand remained largely stable. Several manufacturing sites in China's northeast experienced turnarounds, resulting in severe reductions in chemical supply in the region.

In the months of May and June, Mitsui Chemical in Sakai, Japan, and Kumho P&B Line 3 in South Korea were both temporarily shut down for maintenance. In the second quarter, China's demand remained robust as the economy grew and downstream demand from the automobile and construction industries increased. As upstream benzene prices soared to new highs, price trends began to shift higher. In June, FOB Dalian prices were 1555 USD/MT.

Several carbolic acid plants in Asia and Europe went down in the third quarter of 2021 due to operational difficulties, affecting the product's supply fundamentals in the area. In September, the Chinese government enforced dual-energy regulations that required multiple plants to maintain low operating costs, limiting supplies.

In quarter 3, the downstream industries, such as construction and automotive, maintained steady demand for the chemical. As global supplies dropped, the Indian markets saw significant demand as factories continued to operate at peak efficiency to meet local demand. Carbolic acid rices in India increased from 1524 USD/MT to 1608 USD/MT in the third quarter.

Europe

In the first half of 2021, supplies in Europe were mostly constrained due to maintenance turnarounds at many manufacturing plants and a slowdown in activities as a result of the second wave of Covid-19. Despite this, demand from downstream sectors remained strong as the automobile sector recovered. Offtakes of carbolic acid resins were particularly strong as demand from the construction sector surged in the first quarter.

Due to turnarounds in most industrial plants, supplies in Europe were tightened in the second quarter of 2021. Import supplies were lessened as inflows from the United States improved. Due to seasonal requirements, the construction sector drove carbolic acid consumption, while demand from downstream industries such as automotive climbed modestly in the second quarter.

Despite uncertain supply and demand fundamentals and global market inflation of upstream benzene prices, carbolic acid prices in Europe have been steadily rising. As immunisation programmes were encouraged, a rebound in downstream businesses was predicted.

The price trend in Europe began to decline in the third quarter of 2021. Domestic prices declined as a result of the price drop in upstream benzene, while feedstock supply eased at the same time, causing carbolic acid prices to fall in the third quarter. In September, Hamburg FD prices fell from 1710 USD/MT in July to 1485 USD/MT.

North America

Turnarounds at plants impacted carbolic acid prices significantly in the first half of quarter 1 in 2021, resulting in a feedstock shortage due to turnarounds in upstream cumene plants. Harsh weather in the Gulf region of the United States caused production disruptions, which resulted in a price increase for the chemical.

Olin Corp, situated in the United States, ceased operations in February, affecting market supplies. A substantial infrastructure plan facilitated the rise of the non-residential sector, which influenced the housing industry's performance and increased demand. CFR Texas prices reached a high of 2570 USD/MT in March. As global supplies tightened, a large proportion of supplies were directed to Europe.

In the second quarter of 2021, the overall outlook for the carbolic acid market in North America improved as industries in the US Gulf Coast recovered. Even though a few suppliers were unable to operate their carbolic acid production facilities at regular rates, several production units restarted with greater operating rates and the enhanced supply of upstream benzene allowed the chemical’s supplies to pick up in the region.

Demand began to climb dramatically from downstream industries such as Epoxy resin, Nylon, and Polycarbonate production facilities, which saw increasing consumer demand. While demand from the automobile industry remained slow, demand from the building and construction industries drove the major market. In June, FOB Texas prices fell to 1635 USD/MT in North America.

Carbolic acid rices in North America remained constant in the third quarter of 2021. As companies were able to restore their production capacities to pre-storm levels, the supply and demand dynamics in the industry improved. Carbolic acid prices in the third quarter were lower than in the second. In August, prices in Texas were estimated to be approximately 1280-1320 USD/MT. Throughout the quarter, substantial demand was seen in the building, construction, and automobile industries.

For the Year 2020

Asia

As supply overflowed with large capacities of 400 KTPA in Zhejiang Petrochemicals, China, the market in Asia remained flat. The situation was further improved when operations at Mitsui Chemicals in Japan and Chung Chun PC in China began, with no plans for turnarounds until the end of the quarter. Manufacturers in North Asia were running at maximum capacity. The inventories, on the other hand, were being depleted by derivatives offtakes.

Europe

The downstream sectors for carbolic acid saw no notable improvements, reducing demand in the region amid supply surpluses. As a result of the supply glut, most manufacturers reduced production. Even though big producers like Seqens and Domo Caproleuna went through a maintenance turnaround, the European market saw flat offtakes.

The coronavirus resurfaced in the area, affecting demand for carbolic acid derivatives such as caprolactam and bisphenol A in the automotive sector, resulting in a drop in global demand for the chemical in 2020.

North America

Leading manufacturers such as Shell and SABIC executed turnarounds that outstripped surplus supplies, balancing the market in North America. After China provided substantial increases to the Asian market, the Asian market was already crowded with supply, which limited North America's export potential by reducing demand from big consumers. Construction and automotive, two downstream industries of carbolic acid, showed signs of improvement, but traders were wary of demand dynamics and uncertainties due to the region's constantly rising coronavirus incidence.

Latin America

The carbolic acid demand in Brazil was 126.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. Several end-user sectors were shut down as a result of the lockdown, which had a significant impact on demand in Brazil, as well as supply chain disruptions and trade obstacles owing to transportation restrictions.

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