Evonik is expanding downstream processing at its Fermas site in Slovakia for biosurfactants and pharmaceutical ingredients, adding commercial output. The capacity increase raises available supply of these specialty chemicals, likely putting downward pressure on prices.
Rising U.S. demand for Korean cosmetics, fueled by retail expansion and social media, is accelerating. The category's lower price points compared with prestige skincare risk pulling down average spending in the cosmetics market as consumers shift toward more affordable options.
DASCC, or Diamino Stilbene Cyanuric Chloride, is an optical brightening agent prized for its ability to absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as a visible blue fluorescence, lending a brighter, whiter finish to the materials it treats. It is used across laundry detergents, paper, textiles, paints and coatings, and select cosmetic formulations, and its cost structure stays closely tethered to its feedstock chain of Diamino Stilbene Disulfonic Acid (DASDA) and cyanuric chloride.
Through the first half of 2026, DASCC prices held to a broadly steady-to-soft path, with sentiment shaped more by cautious restocking than by any decisive demand surge. Asian material, anchored by Chinese and Indian output, stayed competitively supplied as plants ran at comfortable rates and feedstock availability remained adequate, keeping offers largely range-bound. European prices generally carried a premium to Asian benchmarks, reflecting higher import-linked costs and firmer production expenses, though the gap stayed manageable as logistics normalised. North American values moved largely in sympathy with imported supply, edging firmer where seasonal detergent and paper demand tightened the spot picture. On the feedstock side, DASDA and cyanuric chloride traded in a measured fashion, helping keep production economics balanced, while downstream offtake from detergent and optical-whitening uses stayed resilient and paper and textile demand improved gradually.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, DASCC pricing in H1 2026 reflected a finely balanced market in which ample feedstock availability and steady downstream demand combined to keep the trend range-bound. With DASDA and cyanuric chloride dynamics remaining the principal swing factors, the outlook hinges on the pace of recovery in textile and paper consumption and on the stability of regional supply chains.
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Asia
The DASCC market in Asia experienced predominantly bearish trends throughout 2024. Q1 started with declining prices driven by subdued purchasing activity, though prices firmed up toward the quarter's end as seasonal demand emerged. The second quarter continued this downward trajectory as industrial activity remained low despite textile sector growth in India. Supply remained robust while demand stagnated, further pushing prices down.
By Q3, the negative sentiment deepened with consistent price declines across the region, influenced by oversupply, global supply chain disruptions, and reduced demand from key sectors. The fourth quarter saw a brief uptick early on, supported by India's textile industry, but this was short-lived as the broader global slowdown in textile exports and consumption weighed heavily on prices, causing significant reductions by November.
Europe
European DASCC prices demonstrated more volatility compared to other regions. The first quarter began with price declines amid reduced trading and adverse weather conditions but gradually strengthened as seasonal demand picked up. Q2 saw a distinct bullish trend driven primarily by substantially higher import costs from Asia, increased freight charges, and higher production expenses abroad.
The third quarter brought challenges as prices fluctuated within a narrow range due to global economic uncertainties, soaring freight costs and significant delays from Red Sea disruptions and port congestion. The final quarter of 2024 displayed a mixed trajectory - initial price declines stemmed from subdued demand across multiple industries, but the second half witnessed a recovery as textile and chemical sectors rebounded, while raw material costs rose and supply chain challenges persisted.
North America
In North America, DASCC prices followed a fluctuating pattern throughout 2024. The first quarter began with downward pressure due to post-holiday reduced trading activity and challenging weather conditions that hampered demand. By Q2, the market stabilized as pharmaceutical and textile industries maintained steady consumption patterns.
The third quarter saw mixed results as manufacturing costs slightly decreased, but geopolitical uncertainties created supply chain concerns. The final quarter of 2024 displayed a V-shaped trend - prices initially declined due to weak demand from textile and paper industries, but rebounded strongly in the latter half as industrial activity picked up seasonally and supply tightened due to production disruptions and logistical constraints.
DASCC (Diamino Stilbene Cyanuric Chloride) is known to be one of the optical brightening agents, often abbreviated as OBAs. Generally, optical brighteners are those chemical compounds that have the ability to absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) and violet region and re-emit it as visible blue fluorescence light. Such additives are often used to enhance the appearance of colours used in fabrics or papers to cause a whitening effect. DASCC is widely utilised in laundry detergents also finds use in cosmetics applications.
Tinopal DMA-X
Paper, Paints, Detergents, Cosmetics
BASF SE, Ornet Group, Huntsman International LLC, Evonik Industries AG, Deepak Nitrite Ltd, Clariant, Tsaker Chemical Group Ltd.
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.
While producing DASCC from DASDA, DASDA is treated with water and cyanuric acid at low temperatures, followed by the addition of aniline and heating the mixture at increased temperature conditions. At last, morpholine is combined to this mixture along with caustic soda and sodium carbonate to finally produce DASCC.
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