The IEA sharply lowered its 2026 global oil demand outlook, citing the escalating Mideast conflict and elevated energy prices. The agency now projects a significantly steeper year-on-year decline in consumption than previously forecast, warning that market tightening and demand destruction are accelerating.
The IEA expects world oil demand to decline year-on-year for the first time since 2020, driven by the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. Prices have eased on prospects of a surplus late in 2026, but renewed hostilities threaten supplies and introduce volatility.
Carbon tetrabromide, the dense bromine-rich compound known by the formula CBr4, occupies a specialised niche within the chemicals landscape, valued chiefly as a brominating agent in organic synthesis and as a building block in flame-retardant formulations, with smaller volumes consumed as a laboratory solvent and reagent. Its pricing remains closely tethered to the cost of its underlying feedstocks, particularly bromine and the methane-based natural gas chemistry from which it is ultimately derived, so shifts in energy and halogen markets tend to ripple through to the finished compound with little delay.
Through the first half of 2026, carbon tetrabromide prices traced a broadly steady-to-firm path, shaped more by feedstock availability than by any pronounced change in end-use consumption. Natural gas costs stayed relatively contained as the period opened, lending stability to production economics, yet bromine proved the more decisive influence; periodic tightness in halogen supply kept sellers reluctant to discount and underpinned an essentially firm tone. Asian material, anchored by Chinese and Indian producers, largely set the benchmark for global availability and held within a balanced range, while European buyers continued to absorb a modest premium reflecting higher conversion and energy costs as well as lengthier inbound logistics. North American prices moved in sympathy with the wider feedstock complex, supported by steady domestic gas output and intermittent export interest.
On the demand side, offtake from the fire-retardant and fine-chemical synthesis segments stayed reasonably resilient, though purchasing remained cautious, with consumers covering near-term needs rather than building speculative stock. This restrained but consistent demand, set against a feedstock backdrop that oscillated between balanced and snug, left the market range-bound for much of the half, with sentiment firming gently as bromine availability tightened into the close of the period.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the carbon tetrabromide price trend is expected to keep tracking its feedstock commodities, notably bromine and methane-linked natural gas, with the balance between halogen availability and measured downstream demand likely to govern direction over the coming quarters.
Related Report
Need Latest Carbon Tetrabromide Prices?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Our Clients
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Asia
In the first quarter of 2024, the carbon tetrabromide market in Asia saw a significant uptick in activity, influenced by favorable pricing trends for natural gas, a key feedstock of the commodity. During the initial phase of the quarter, buyers in several regions of Asia took advantage of declining natural gas prices, which spurred a surge in spot shipments for industrial applications.
This rise in imports, almost a third higher than previous levels, allowed traders to offload domestic inventories and increase profit margins as supply and demand equilibrated. An increase in shipments from Russian suppliers was particularly notable towards the end of the quarter. However, domestic demand in Asia wore off by March, leading traders to focus on exports to maintain profitability.
Europe
In Europe, the price of carbon tetrabromide followed a downward trend, mirroring the declining natural gas prices as the region approached summer. This decrease continued a pattern set over the previous two quarters, initially triggered by geopolitical tensions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, European gas storage reached high levels, resulting in surplus supply and heightened trading concerns. Additional disruptions, including longer shipment times and increased Houthi attacks, compounded the downward pressure on carbon tetrabromide prices during the first quarter of 2024.
North America
In North America, the carbon tetrabromide market saw a slight reversal in the previous trend of supply outpacing demand. In the first quarter, stable domestic natural gas production was met with a marginal increase in demand. This rise in consumption was influenced by weather variations affecting heating and cooling requirements and shifts in energy generation sources. Growing interest from European and Asian markets sustained the demand for U.S. exports. Additionally, delays in shipment arrivals and export times further supported an upward trend in natural gas prices, consequently affecting the pricing trajectory of carbon tetrabromide in the region.
Carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) is a colorless, odorless liquid with a high density and low solubility in water. It is composed of carbon and four bromine atoms, making it a potent source of bromine in chemical reactions. CBr4 is primarily used in organic synthesis as a brominating agent, facilitating the introduction of bromine atoms into organic compounds.
Its molecular structure and bromine content also make it valuable in the production of fire retardants, where it helps inhibit combustion by disrupting the chemical reactions involved in fire propagation. Due to its chemical properties, CBr4 is handled with care due to its toxicity and environmental impact concerns.
CBr4
Solvent, Reagent, Fire Retardants
Shanghai Qian Chemical, Hangzhou Dayangchem, Toronto Research Chemicals, Acme Chemical, Alfa Aesar
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
In this synthetic pathway, methane gas reacts with bromine gas to produce solid carbon tetrabromide as the primary product and hydrogen bromide gas as the side product of the synthesis.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Senior Business Insights Analyst
Delivering price trend analysis and procurement market insights at Procurement Resource, with expertise in identifying commodity patterns, supporting purchasing strategies, and improving cost efficiency through actionable market intelligence.
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Europe & Africa
+44 7573 171117
Sales@procurementresource.com
USA & Canada
+1 307 363 1045
Sales@procurementresource.com
APAC
+91 8850629517
Sales@procurementresource.com
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply–demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
