DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Price Trend and Forecast

DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Regional Price Overview

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

Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) Price Trend for the Q4 of 2024

Asia

The Asian DOP market displayed a mixed trend throughout Q4'24. Early in the quarter, prices remained relatively stable, but this changed by mid-November when raw material costs started pushing prices upward. The key feedstock phthalic anhydride showed stability, while 2-ethylhexanol costs increased, affecting production expenses.
 

DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Price Chart

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The region faced logistical challenges with rising freight costs, which added pressure to the overall market dynamics. Demand weakened towards the end of the quarter due to seasonal factors, particularly in the PVC sector, where colder weather reduced construction activities. Chinese manufacturers adjusted their production rates to match the falling demand, while maintaining adequate inventory levels.

Europe

European DOP markets faced downward pressure during Q4'24. The region experienced reduced demand from the construction and automotive sectors, which typically drive DOP consumption. The market was further affected by the slowdown in PVC production, a key downstream industry. Feedstock costs remained relatively stable, as Phthalic Anhydride prices showed minimal fluctuation in the region. However, manufacturers struggled with high energy costs and increasing competition from bio-based plasticizer alternatives. This combination of factors led to reduced operating rates at several production facilities, though supply remained sufficient to meet the decreased demand.

North America

The North American DOP market showed weakness throughout Q4'24. The region faced challenges from declining construction activity and reduced demand from the automotive sector. Manufacturers maintained steady production despite lower demand, leading to inventory buildup at several facilities. The stable feedstock prices, particularly Phthalic Anhydride, helped prevent significant production cost increases. However, the market continued to face pressure from the growing shift towards alternative plasticizers, affecting traditional DOP consumption patterns.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) prices are expected to face continued pressure in early 2025 due to seasonal factors and growing competition from bio-based alternatives.
 

Dioctyl Phthalate Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

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Asia

The Dioctyl Phthalate market witnessed significant downward pressure as feedstock prices tumbled. Both key raw materials - octanol and phthalic anhydride traced the falling crude oil prices, pushing production costs lower. Chinese demand remained weak, particularly in the PVC sector owing to the off-season market activity.

Further, the manufacturing rates decreased as producers attempted to balance falling prices with inventory levels. The prices of dicotyl phthalate in the Chinese domestic market went from around 1347 USD/MT (Spot FD) in July to around 1218 USD/MT in September’24.

Europe

European DOP prices mimicked its Asian counterpart and recorded a bearish trend amid weakening feedstock costs. The market saw reduced offtake from PVC manufacturers while construction sector activities remained slow. Producers struggled with margin management despite lower raw material costs. Port congestions further added to market uncertainties and overall consumer sentiment.

North America

The US domestic DOP market recorded steady declines throughout the quarter. Falling feedstock prices and adequate inventory levels kept market sentiment bearish. PVC and plasticizer applications showed limited buying interest. Manufacturers reduced operating rates to manage growing stocks amid slow demand.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price for Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) is expected to continue its downward trajectory in the coming months given the current state of global economy and market fundamentals.
 

Dioctyl Phthalate Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

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Asia

In China, the trend of dioctyl phthalate prices largely fluctuated throughout the second quarter of 2024. The downturn in the prices was primarily influenced by the tepid procurement rates of the downstream industries, the plasticizers sector particularly. On the other hand, after the holiday season, the production activities gained their pace, and thus, the stockpiles of the commodity increased, pressurizing the traders to take strict measures.

Another hit for the market came from the slowdown of the construction sector, as despite economic stimulus from the government, the sector failed to showcase any significant changes. Further, on the back of escalating freight charges and extended lead times, the interest of overseas players declined, and so did their procurement rates of dioctyl phthalate, further contributing to the southward trend of dioctyl phthalate price trend. However, in the early phases of June, the market regained some momentum, resulting in the settlement of the dioctyl phthalate prices on a monthly average of 1412 USD/MT, slightly above the average of 1354 USD/MT reported in April.

Europe

After some moderate gains in the first quarter of 2024, the dioctyl phthalate market turned bearish during the second quarter of 2024. This trend of dioctyl phthalate prices was influenced by the lack of momentum in the end-user plasticizer industry and rising competition among the manufacturers. The declining trajectory of the market was further accelerated by port congestion activities and meek support from the economic parameters of the market. Additionally, the consistent shipping disruptions and escalating geopolitical tensions further dampened consumer confidence in this sector.

North America

The dioctyl phthalate prices in North America deviated from the global trend as the pricing trajectory showcased some gains. This upward momentum of the market was influenced by the constrained supply of the commodity and rising input costs. These pressurized supply chains were, in turn, adversely affected by the surge in freight charges and closure of Baltimore port. Additionally, positive procurement rates from the downstream players in both domestic and overseas markets provided strength to the market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Dioctyl Phthalate is expected to move northwards in the upcoming quarters on the back of improving dynamics of downstream industries and escalating cost of production.
 

DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

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Asia

The Asian market for dioctyl phthalate underwent a decline in the first quarter of 2024 due to various factors. In China, the average spot (FD) prices declined from 1680 USD/MT in January to 1549 USD/MT in March. The influencing factors include a global softening in plasticizer demand amid a slower economic recovery and an oversupply scenario.

The market also faced several particularly diminished downstream PVC demands from the construction sector impacting the overall market dynamics. Additionally, recent fluctuations in raw material prices, such as 2-Ethylhexanol, and a decline in the polyamide market further contribute to the downward pressure on dioctyl phthalate pricing momentum. Despite ongoing challenges, there was an optimistic trend observed in the later phase of the quarter with the rise in the crude oil prices potential easing of inflation, and a gradual recovery of the industrial sector.

Europe

In the first quarter of 2024, European dioctyl phthalate prices faced challenges due to declining consumer interest and rising interest rates, impacting the struggling manufacturing sector. Along with month-to-month variations, limited dioctyl phthalate production and rising energy costs disrupted the supply-demand equilibrium of the market.

However, initially, the market initially saw a bullish trend due to tight feedstock supply and rising crude oil prices. But soon, under the pressure of inflation and rising rates of interest, the interest of downstream industries and their spending budget became dormant. Supply shortages intensified due to adverse weather conditions and loss of imports from the US, further raised the concerns amid the traders regarding the uncertainties of the market.

North America

The dioctyl phthalate market in the US witnessed a significant fluctuation in its prices attributed to rising prices of major feedstocks and oscillating demand from the downstream industries.

The overall positive economic growth outlook prompted suppliers to raise their production rates in the first half of the quarter, leading to an increase in the momentum of the market. Additionally, the downstream automobile market displayed resilience, with robust sales figures, particularly in light vehicles and aerospace sectors. However, as the quarter progressed, the overall momentum of the market started to fade out as the loss of exports and drying up of the Panama Canal exerted a negative influence on the market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) is estimated to improve on the back of growing momentum of the downstream automotive industries and improving global economic parameters.
 

DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

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Asia

In Asian countries, as the cost of feedstock 2-ethyl hexanol fluctuated throughout the fourth quarter of 2023, despite the challenges, the dioctyl phthalate ended the year on a higher note. In China, the dioctyl phthalate prices rose from around 1588 USD/MT (Spot FD) in October to 1651 USD/MT in December’23.

The trend turned favorable for the product as the demand for plasticizers and synthetic rubber showed signs of improvement. Some other factors, such as inventory levels and export-import imbalances, which were a cause of concern amongst traders, worried the traders worked in favor of dioctyl phthalate price trend during Q4’23.

Europe

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the price of feedstock 2-ethyl hexanol in European countries faced several challenges, which were well translated in the dioctyl phthalate price trend. The foremost cause of this decline was falling consumer interest and rising interest rates, which put a strain on the already struggling manufacturing sector. However, there were some month-to-month variations and rising costs of energy production that led to the limited production of dioctyl phthalate and thus helped in sustaining a balance between supply and demand.

North America

For the North American market of dioctyl phthalate, the challenges majorly arose from within the domestic market. First, the cost of raw materials fluctuated heavily throughout the quarter but stabilized towards the end. However, this was not sufficient for the dioctyl phthalate price trend, and the market inched toward its lowest point in November.

The consistent struggles with exports and disruptions in supply chains further added additional pressures on the dioctyl phthalate market. On the positive side, the slow but persistent demand kept the dioctyl phthalate prices above par as the quarter approached completion.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) are likely to be under stress in the coming quarter, given the volatile demand and feeble movement in the downstream industries.
 

Dioctyl Phthalate Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

In the Asian countries, the dioctyl phthalate price graph observed a significant incline during the third quarter of 2023. The main factor contributing to this hike was its demand from the downstream industries due to which many manufacturing plants had to increase their production rates. In China, the rise in the dioctyl phthalate price trend was around 14%, in which the offtakes from the plasticizers sector as well as the construction industries had a significant share.

Europe

In the third quarter, the dioctyl phthalate prices moved northwards in the first half. This rise was a result of a remarkable decline in the level of inventories as the demand side of the market showed a significant recovery. Further, the fall in the production rates of dioctyl phthalate due to the weak condition of the European economy also proved fatal for the stockpiles of dioctyl phthalate and thus led to the rise in the dioctyl phthalate price trend. In the second half, the slump in construction activities adversely affected the demand for dioctyl phthalate and, in turn, its price trend.

North America

In North America, the improvement in the market activities of cement and construction industries supported the growth of dioctyl phthalate price trend initially. But as the quarter progressed, the demand from these industries was not sufficient to keep the prices of dioctyl phthalate in the green light. Despite the positive movement of the North American market sector, the excess of inventories and rise in the competitiveness of the market led to the southwards movement of the dioctyl phthalate price trend.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Dioctyl Phthalate are estimated to move southwards as the challenging global market conditions seem to affect the dioctyl phthalate prices negatively.
 

Dioctyl Phthalate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The prices of dioctyl phthalate fluctuated in the Asian Pacific market in the first two quarters of 2023. The spot prices in China fell from approximately 1476 USD/MT in January’23 to 1340 USD/MT in June’23, registering a dip of almost 9% in the two quarters of 2023. The slight incline in the initial phase was supported by the rise in the prices of feedstock, but this trend did not sustain in the long run. The decline in demand from the end-user industries and oscillating market dynamics negatively impacted the dioctyl phthalate market.

Europe

The European prices of dioctyl phthalate showcased a mixed trend as the prices followed an upward trajectory in the initial months but dipped down in the end months of said period. The initial spike in prices was supported by sustained demand from the plasticizer sector but the demand scenario overturned in the region, and the prices took a dip. Additional factors that influenced this trend were the shifting of market dynamics and variations in the consumer sector.

North America

The price trend for dioctyl phthalate oscillated in the US domestic market in the first half of 2023. Similar to what was witnessed in Europe, the prices increased in the first half of Q1 due to a decline in the level of inventories and increasing demand. However, later the price nosedived as the demand for the commodity decreased, and its stockpiles increased. However, a slight rise was observed towards the end of June as the market gained support from the plasticizer sector.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Dioctyl phthalate is estimated to oscillate in the upcoming quarters, given the current pricing fundamentals and the uneven trend observed in demand from the plasticizer sector.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of DOP (Dioctyl phthalate). 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.