Cellulose Ether Price Trend and Forecast

Cellulose Ether Regional Price Overview

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

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the Q4 of 2024

Asia

In Asia, the price of Cellulose Ether remained relatively stable throughout the fourth quarter. The region’s demand was steady, largely due to ongoing production in the pharmaceutical, food, and construction sectors. However, the tight availability of key feedstocks, such as wood pulp, which is essential for cellulose production, created some supply-side pressures.
 

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As production facilities in China and India faced logistical issues and weather-related disruptions, suppliers had to deal with higher raw material costs. Despite this, the steady demand from pharmaceutical companies helped maintain price stability, as this sector remained a consistent consumer of cellulose derivatives for tablet coatings and drug formulations.

Europe

Europe saw a moderate increase in the prices of Cellulose Ether in Q4’24. The surge was largely due to supply disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions in key cellulose sourcing regions, especially in Scandinavia. This led to tighter availability of cellulose, driving up feedstock costs. Additionally, European manufacturers faced higher energy costs, particularly during the winter months, which contributed to an overall rise in production expenses. However, demand from the pharmaceutical sector, along with the construction and food industries, helped balance the price increases. Despite some upward pressure, prices did not skyrocket as companies worked to adjust to the market conditions and sustain production levels.

North America

In North America, the price trend for Cellulose Ether saw the most noticeable fluctuations. A significant factor behind this was a combination of rising feedstock prices, including cellulose pulp, and ongoing supply chain disruptions that affected raw material procurement. The increase in the cost of energy, particularly during the colder months, also pushed up manufacturing costs.

The pharmaceutical industry, a major consumer of Cellulose Ether, continued to drive demand, but tightening supply from key cellulose producers in the region made it difficult to meet the demand without further price adjustments. Rising inflationary pressures in the U.S. also played a role in the price increases, although the strong demand from pharmaceutical and food industries helped sustain market activity.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Cellulose Ether is expected to remain under pressure in early 2025 due to persistent supply constraints, particularly in feedstock availability and continued demand from the pharmaceutical sector. Energy costs and logistical challenges will also continue to influence pricing trends.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

Asia

The cellulose ether prices demonstrated mixed performance throughout the third quarter in the Asian market. The market dynamics were heavily influenced by subdued industrial activities, particularly in the construction sector.

Despite increasing production expenses, sellers found themselves unable to increase the prices due to lacklustre market conditions. A slight uptick materialized in the latter part of the quarter, though overall sentiment remained cautious as downstream industries maintained cautious purchasing patterns.

Europe

The European cellulose ether sector navigated through a series of complex challenging conditions in Q3’24, with market fundamentals pointing toward a bearish trend. Regional trade flows were impacted by modest industrial consumption and tepid construction activities. While raw material availability remained steady, manufacturers faced pressure to optimize production rates in response to muted demand signals. The quarter concluded with some stabilization, though overall market sentiment stayed bearish.

North America

The North American cellulose ether market experienced notable disruptions such as unexpected shutdowns which affected raw material availability. The construction sector's performance notably influenced buying patterns, while manufacturers attempted to balance production against softening demand signals. The period concluded with market participants adopting a wait-and-see approach amid persistent uncertainties.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trends for Cellulose Ether are likely to remain constrained in the upcoming months. The market recovery will depend on several factors such as construction sector performance, raw material availability, and broader economic conditions.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Asia

The prices for cellulose ether showcased a bearish trend in the Asian market during the said quarter. The market witnessed substantial downward pressure amid sluggish demand from the construction sector, which considerably impacted the purchasing sentiment across downstream industries.

Logistical challenges, including port congestion and soaring global shipping costs, further complicated the market dynamics by worsening oversupply conditions and making destocking efforts challenging for suppliers. China, experiencing the most notable price fluctuations, demonstrated a continuous downward trend given the seasonal nature of its market.

Europe

Cellulose ether prices in Europe displayed a varied yet increasingly positive pricing trend throughout Q2’24. The market found support from heightened secondary demand in some sectors and favourable conditions in the beverage industry downstream. Although some supply disruptions and decline in prices of feedstock materials applied some downward pressure but the overall balance of supply and demand maintained a bullish trend.

North America

The North American cellulose ether market maintained stable pricing during Q2 2024. Stable production costs, with minimal fluctuations in feedstock prices, played a crucial role in steadying market dynamics. Price stability persisted throughout the quarter, with little differentiation between the first and second halves, emphasizing consistent market sentiment.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Cellulose Ether prices will likely maintain their current trajectory in the upcoming months. The market outlook remains contingent upon construction sector recovery and resolution of global supply chain inefficiencies.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

The pricing of cellulose ether was significantly influenced by the global positioning of cellulose. Given that cellulose ether is derived directly from cellulose, their price trends typically exhibited a close correlation. In the first quarter of 2024, there was minimal depreciation observed in cellulose ether prices, mirroring the downward trend seen in cellulose markets.

Despite starting at a relatively high level in January, prices gradually declined, reflecting overall market conditions. While the situation did not improve, cellulose ether prices continued to decrease till March. This decline provided relief to the Indian sector, allowing for cheaper imports amidst rising domestic rates. Overall, the market sentiment remained mixed during this period, highlighting the complex interplay of factors influencing cellulose ether prices.

Europe

In contrast to the Asian cellulose ether prices, the European market experienced a rapid increase in prices during the first quarter of 2024. Ukraine maintained its position as the primary grain exporter in the region. However, the prolonged war with Russia resulted in a significant decrease in plantation areas, leading to reduced supply volumes.

As a result, feedstock prices rose in the regional market. The European agriculture market had concluded the previous year on a positive note, giving it a price advantage in the current quarter. Overall, prices followed an upward trajectory during this period.

North America

In the USA, the cellulose ether market trend closely mirrored that of its counterparts, with notable distinctions in different regions. Increased cellulose availability prompted a surge in supply despite muted demand from downstream industries. Global cellulose supplies were projected to reach a significant milestone in the upcoming year, driven by robust production levels. Last season witnessed a remarkable increase in feedstock acreage, indicating positive growth trends.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, considering the present interplay of supply and demand, it's anticipated that the Cellulose Ether market will continue its fluctuating pattern in the foreseeable future. The abundance of supplies on a global scale will continue to exert a significant influence on market trends.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for October - December of 2023

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Asia

In the Asian market, particularly in countries like China and Japan, the cellulose ethers price trend experienced mixed price trend in the fourth quarter of 2023. However, overall, there was a slight hike in the price driven by robust demand in the construction sector, pharmaceutical industry, and the rising need for quality personal care products.

The emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly materials in construction and the increasing demand for clean-label products in the food and beverage industry played a crucial role in strengthening the price trend in Q4’2023. The major factor driving the prices in Asia was the focus on sustainability and innovation in industrial applications.

Europe

In Europe during Q4’2023, the cellulose ether price trend was bolstered by increasing demand for eco-friendly construction materials and adherence to strict environmental regulations. This demand was especially pronounced in countries like Germany, France, and the UK, where sustainable practices in construction and other industries significantly drove market growth. The European cellulose ether price trend reflects the region's commitment to sustainable development and regulatory compliance in the use of cellulose ethers across various applications.

North America

North America witnessed a notable price uptick in the cellulose ether price trend in the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by robust demand in sectors such as sustainable construction and pharmaceuticals. The primary market driver was further supported by various specialty applications across diverse industries.

Analyst Insights

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for cellulose ether is expected to witness miscellaneous trend in 2024. The net surge, however, is strongly anticipated based on the surging construction industry and the pharmaceutical sector.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

After a string of consistent declines, the price trend of cellulose ether inclined significantly in the third quarter of 2023. The limited supply of the product amid its rising demand was one of the most significant causes of the rise in the cellulose ether price graph.

The strong demand for cellulose ether was driven by high rates of procurement from the downstream paints and coatings industries in both domestic and international markets. However, during the end phase, the trend took a bearish turn, and with a halt in the construction activities and a slowing down of the market, the prices of cellulose ether faced southwards.

Europe

Several factors influenced the surge in the cellulose ether price trend during the initial phase of the third quarter. Among those was the poor performance of the supply sector and the increasing cost of feedstock materials. In addition to this, the downstream industries increased their procurement rates.

Further, the appreciated cost of raw materials and surging energy prices increased production costs, leading to an increase in the prices of cellulose ether. However, the growing concerns over inflation and increasing interest rates proved to be a challenge for the cellulose ether price trend.

North America

In the first two months of the third quarter, the downstream industries increased their production capacities and thus helped in the rise of cellulose ether prices. Further, the hike in the interest rates and advancement in the construction and coatings sector escalated the growth trajectory of cellulose ether prices. But as the quarter progressed, similar to the European and Asian Pacific markets, the economic challenges pushed the market prices of cellulose ether into the negative zone.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Cellulose Ether are estimated to take on a bearish path. The demand from the end-user industries and the cost of production will be the major influencing factors in the growth of cellulose ether prices.
 

Cellulose Ether Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Cellulose ether prices declined in the first and second quarters of 2023 as the number of inquiries and feedstock prices could not provide the required support to the cellulose ether amid the dipping market activities. In addition to this, the supply of the product in the region flourished in the market even with increasing demand that affected the trend negatively. The prices of downstream cotton and pulp industries also witnessed a significant decline in the first two quarters that, ultimately led to the drop in the price trend of cellulose ether.

Europe

Stockpiling of cellulose ether in the European market had an adverse effect on its price trend. The market saw a declining trajectory as the subdued demand from the construction industry and poor performance of the cotton and related sectors pushed the prices of cellulose ether towards the negative side. Low demand for the product led to the cutting of operational costs by the manufacturers, further aiding the downward journey of products.

North America

The North American market was not much different in terms of the prices of cellulose ether. The market dynamics dipped due to the poor purchasing potential of consumers and the downward sliding movement of the construction industry. The trend, however, stabilized towards the end of the first quarter and throughout the second quarter as the European and Chinese exports were available at low prices and the downstream demand improved slightly.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Cellulose ether is expected to witness a mixed trend as the demand from the construction sector and the global economy is estimated to oscillate.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Cellulose Ether. 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.