Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend and Forecast

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Regional Price Overview

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

 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates (FAE) Price Trend for the First Half of 2025

Asia

During the first half of 2025, Asia’s Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates market moved through two distinct phases. In the early months, prices dropped as demand from the personal care industry slowed down and producers dealt with too much stock. A fall in palm oil prices also made it cheaper to produce FAE, adding to the decline. However, this situation changed in the second quarter.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Chart

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Unexpected factory shutdowns in Malaysia due to a gas pipeline fire caused supply shortages, especially in countries like India and China. At the same time, steady buying from the personal care sector—supported by online shopping trends—kept demand strong. These factors worked together to push prices up sharply by the end of the period.

Europe

The European FAE market experienced steady price declines during the first quarter of 2025. A mix of low consumer confidence, cautious spending, and surplus supply caused prices to slide further. Buyers preferred to only meet short-term needs rather than stock up. Although certain luxury and eco-friendly cosmetic products saw some demand, it wasn’t enough to support the broader market.

In the second quarter, rising raw material costs and expensive imports helped prevent further drops. Improvements in transportation also supported pricing, while moderate interest from specialty chemical and fuel sectors added slight strength to the market.

North America

In North America, prices for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates followed a downward path in the first quarter. This trend was mainly due to weak purchasing activity, large inventories, and reduced input costs. The personal care sector, especially cosmetics, faced challenges that further reduced demand. By March, uncertainty around tariffs and market conditions made the situation worse. However, the market began to settle in the second quarter. Demand picked up slightly in personal care and industrial applications, while supply chains recovered from earlier disruptions. As a result, prices remained stable with little movement in either direction.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, FAE prices are expected to stay relatively firm, especially in Asia, as limited supply and steady demand from personal care products continue to influence the market.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend for Q4 of 2024

Asia

In Q4’24, the Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate market in Asia, especially in China, showed high price volatility. Prices increased sharply in October and November, largely due to rising palm oil costs, which were impacted by poor production in Malaysia, flooding, and new biodiesel policies in Indonesia. These supply issues, combined with solid demand from personal care industries in countries like India and China, pushed prices higher. However, the trend reversed dramatically in December.

Global demand weakened, inventories piled up, and stronger local currencies affected export competitiveness. As a result, prices dropped significantly toward the end of the quarter, reflecting an oversupplied market despite ongoing input cost pressures.

Europe

The European market experienced a consistent rise in Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate prices through Q4’24. Price hikes in October and November were mainly driven by disruptions in palm oil supply from Southeast Asia, combined with Indonesia's export curbs. Strong festive-season demand for personal care products in countries like Germany also contributed to higher consumption, keeping market sentiment firm. By December, the situation remained tight due to low palm oil stock levels and export policy shifts. Although demand from end-users was moderate, the persistent cost pressure from raw materials kept prices elevated across the region.

North America

In North America, the Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate market saw continuous price increases throughout Q4’24. The key reason was the tight global palm oil supply, which raised input costs. Disruptions from Malaysian floods and Indonesian trade policy adjustments pushed raw material prices higher. The strong performance of the U.S. personal care industry, particularly in premium product lines, further supported demand. Even with efforts to manage inventory more efficiently, manufacturers faced rising production costs and limited supply, which pushed prices higher month after month.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate prices are expected to remain sensitive to palm oil supply trends, global economic conditions, and biodiesel policy changes in key producing nations.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Price Trend for Q3 of 2024

Asia

In Asia, particularly in China, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates market faced supply constraints due to an unexpected disruption at a key manufacturing facilities. This reduction in supply led to an increase in the prices of fatty alcohol ethoxylates, as market participants faced challenges in securing sufficient quantities to meet downstream demand. The personal care sector, a major consumer of fatty alcohol ethoxylates, continued to show stable inquiries, contributing to the price rise.

This positive demand, combined with the supply shortage caused by the manufacturing disruptions, supported a bullish market trend in China and other parts of Asia. Moreover, the broader economic environment in Asia, including the availability of palm oil as a key raw material for Fatty Alcohol production, further influenced the market. Despite the supply challenges, downstream industries remained resilient, contributing to an overall positive price trajectory for fatty alcohol ethoxylates in Asia during Q3.

Europe

In Europe, the market for fatty alcohol ethoxylates faced a more challenging environment throughout Q3 2024. The sluggish demand from key downstream industries, particularly surfactants and detergents, continued to weigh on the market. Despite the essential role that surfactants play in various applications, the lack of enthusiasm from these sectors kept market transactions low. The weak demand was exacerbated by tight monetary conditions, which dampened purchasing sentiments across the chemicals sector.

Additionally, rising freight charges and lower operating rates at manufacturing firms contributed to higher production costs, creating further strain on the market. However, the limited availability of finished fatty alcohol ethoxylates products due to these lower operating rates prevented significant price declines. As a result, the European market remained in a state of relative stability, with manufacturers cautious about inventory accumulation in the face of subdued demand. The overall market sentiment in Europe during Q3 was bearish, reflecting the broader economic challenges and the underperformance of downstream sectors.

North America

In North America, the market for fatty alcohol ethoxylates remained relatively stable in Q3 2024, with no major price fluctuations. The personal care industry, a key consumer of fatty alcohol ethoxylates, showed consistent demand, helping to maintain a balanced market. Despite some pressures on the broader economy, the availability of palm oil, a key feedstock, remained sufficient, and the upstream Fatty Alcohol prices saw limited movement, allowing manufacturers to keep their prices stable.

Major players in the personal care sector, such as Procter & Gamble, reported steady sales volumes, indicating that demand for products containing fatty alcohol ethoxylates was stable, albeit not particularly robust. The lack of significant cost increases from upstream raw materials further contributed to the stable pricing environment in North America. Although market activity was not characterized by substantial growth, the stability of demand from the personal care and cleaning sectors helped maintain consistent price levels throughout the quarter.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates is expected to turn bullish in the quarters ahead with ample of cost support from the downstream industries and increasing crunch in supply chains.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend for Q2 of 2024

Asia

Fatty alcohol ethoxylates are industrially produced by the ethoxylation of fatty alcohols, which involves reacting fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. These compounds hold significant industrial importance due to their excellent surfactant properties, making them essential in the formulation of detergents, emulsifiers, and wetting agents. Since the production of fatty alcohol ethoxylates involves fatty alcohols and ethylene oxide, their price trend also closely follows the changes in feedstock markets.

During the second quarter of the year 2024, Asian FAE industries showcased some positive movements attributed to the growing downstream demands from cleaning and detergent industries. Along with that, the upstream costs were also supportive. The rise in source oils like crude palm oil sectors pushed the price graph forward for fatty alcohol ethoxylates as well.

Europe

Fatty alcohol ethoxylate prices in the European markets were positively motivated for the majority of Q2’24. Key European markets are mostly dependent on major palm oil exporting markets like the Philippines and Indonesia for fatty alcohols and other associated products. However, since the supply chain issues have been persisting in the region for a long time now, the shipments through the Suez Canal, the major maritime gateway between Asia and Europe, have also declined. Overall, with complicated trade dynamics, an upward-wavering price trend was witnessed for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate in the European markets during Q2’24.

North America

Reflecting the firmness in global markets, the fatty alcohol ethoxylate prices remained solid for the most part in the American markets. Along with the supportive downstream demands, the upstream supply support was also influential. The political situation in the States also stimulated stability in the American markets, the manufacturing sector, in particular, witnessed a stretched span of buoyancy. Delays in the interest rate cuts also kept the manufacturing sector on its toes. Overall, positive market sentiments were witnessed in Q2’24.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the market trajectory for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate is expected to remain inclined going forward as the current supply and demand dynamics appear to be supportive.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend for Q1 of 2024

Product	Category	Region	Price	Time Period
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate	Chemicals	USA	USD 2305/MT	March 2024
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate	Chemicals	Europe	USD 1585/MT	March 2024
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate	Chemicals	Asia	USD 1600/MT	March 2024

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Asia

The fatty alcohol ethoxylates observed a mixed price trajectory during the first quarter of 2024. The market demands were slow, although steady initially, as the industrial activities were still subdued owing to the reduced work days in the manufacturing sectors. Because of this holiday season, many production plants in China underwent maintenance shutdowns briefly. This temporarily reduced the supply influx of fatty alcohol ethoxylates in the regional markets. Further, as the trade flow and market operations regularized in both India and China the downstream demands for fatty alcohol ethoxylates also started to incline again.

Gauging this revenue gap amidst limited supply volumes, suppliers raised the market prices for fatty alcohol ethoxylates in the latter phase of the quarter. So, despite a humble start, the prices balanced out by the end of the quarter. Conclusively, a stable and moderate market performance was witnessed for fatty alcohol ethoxylates in both India and China.

Europe

In the European fatty alcohol ethoxylates market, the price trend gave out a marginally rising trajectory during the said period. The primary feedstock materials, edible oils, primarily sunflower oil and palm oil, were available in sufficient quantities in the markets. But, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates demands were struggling at that time. However, later on, most edible oil traders started diverting their supplies to the biofuel industry because of better returns and to save shipping costs. Hence, in the latter days, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates prices started inclining as well since the demands were surging, and the upstream costs also inclined. The market sentiments were mostly positive.

North America

In the US market, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates gave a moderately inclining performance during the first three months of 2024. The second half of the quarter was more positively driven than the first half of the quarter. The cleaning, textile, and cosmetic industries raised their purchases of fatty alcohol ethoxylates as the quarter progressed. The lesser industrial functioning in the early New Year holiday season limited the initial rates. But with the incline in demand, the prices also increased going forward.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate is expected to incline in the near quarter as the demand from the downstream industries is likely to improve with the stabilization of the global markets.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Price Trend for October - December of 2023

Product	Category	Region	Price	Time Period
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate	Chemicals	China	1,591 USD/MT	December 2023

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Asia

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates are directly obtained from fatty alcohols, hence any fluctuations in the alcohol market are readily projected in the former’s price graph. The fatty alcohol ethoxylates price trend were observed to vary throughout the given period.

The market began the fourth quarter on a positive note as the procurement from the cleaning and scouring industries saw some inclination. However, things quickly turned south in the second half of the quarter when the incline in inventory stocks and decline in downstream demands pushed the fatty alcohol ethoxylates market trend down. Overall, mixed market trend were observed in Q4’23.

Europe

The European fatty alcohol ethoxylates market trend for Q4’23 was not much different from its Asian counterpart. The impact of freight disturbance because of the Israel-Hamas war was very visible in the European markets. Along with that, a swift industrial slowdown in peak winter months also called for dull market demands. Overall, downward swinging price trend were witnessed in the European backyard.

North America

The North American market trend for fatty alcohol ethoxylates were also in alliance with the global trend. Noticeable decreases in crude oil prices and heavy inventory stocks provided the downward push to the fatty alcohol ethoxylates price patterns. Even though the economic uncertainties kept the projections unclear, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates price trend wavered within narrow limits.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates prices are likely to continue to waver in a similar manner going forward. Not much change is anticipated in the downstream demands outlook.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate (FAE) Price Trend for July - September of 2023

Asia

The price trend of fatty alcohol ethoxylate registered a mixed trajectory during the said period in the Asia-Pacific region. The lowered domestic inquiries, coupled with poor offshore trading, affected the market greatly. Furthermore, the overstocked inventories were able to cater to the present demands sufficiently.

However, towards the end of the third quarter, the demand for personal care products grew, causing the buyers to actively place new orders for fatty acid ethoxylate, causing the corresponding price graph to rise. Thus, the price trajectories for fatty acid ethoxylate (FAE) ended on a higher note in September as compared to the start of Q3’23.

Europe

The price analysis of fatty acid ethoxylate for the said period registered a sluggish pattern in the European regional markets. The downtrodden economy plagued by high inflation and contracting purchasing capacities greatly affected the trading sentiments of the European markets. The reduced buyers’ confidence was easily reflective of the bleak demands from the downstream sectors. The suppliers were forced to sell at discounted rates in hopes of positive product movement. Hence, dull market fundamentals were observed in Q3’23.

North America

The North American market mimicked the trend seen in the market of its Asian counterpart. Initially, owing to high inflation and hiked interest rates, demands suffered, leading to a lowering of the fatty alcohol ethoxylate price graph. However, soon, the demands from the personal care sectors rose, tilting the supply-demand curve in favour of the latter. Hence, the FAE price trend rose towards the end of September, with suppliers placing new orders to meet the newfound demand in the market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate (FAE) are likely to oscillate further given the current state of the global economy and the volatilities in the downstream demands.
 

Fatty Acid Ethoxylate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The Asia-Pacific market remained volatile in terms of the prices of ethoxylate in the first two quarters of 2023. The manufacturing capacities were severely affected due to the Lunar New Year holidays. The labor shortages further led to a downfall in consumer demand. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia saw great production for feedstock palm oil and changed their export policies, lowering the prices in international markets. With insufficient upstream cost pressure and stagnant demand, the price trend for FAE fell in the region.

Europe

The first quarter of 2023 was accompanied by falling natural gas prices and increasing pressure from the rising inflation rates. The rise in inflation and strict monetary policies adopted by the European region decreased the buying appetite of consumers, and as a result, the prices of ethoxylate dipped.

The second quarter was also not much different from the first one as the above factors continued to play a major role in influencing the prices. In addition, the demand from surfactant and detergent industries and the shortage of raw materials and labor further aided the downward trajectory of ethoxylate prices.

North America

The price trend for fatty alcohol ethoxylates witnessed an oscillating movement in the US domestic market throughout the first two quarters of 2022. The prices were influenced by the economic slowdown, declining prices of natural gas, and limited inquiries from the downstream industries. The freight charges were also low, and the oversupply of the product aided the decline in the prices. The fall of major banks in the US market caused panic among the buyers, thereby negatively impacting the buyers’ confidence.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Fatty Acid Ethoxylates are estimated to decline in the upcoming months as the inquiries from the downstream industries seem stagnant. The global economic slowdown and hiking interest rates will continue to pressure the market’s pricing fundamentals.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia

In the initial months of the third quarter of 2022, the prices of ethoxylates inclined, especially in China. However, with the surge in covid cases in the latter half of the third quarter and the fourth quarter, the price trend declined. In addition, the Asian economy was headed southwards with the fall in domestic consumption and feedstock market prices. The manufacturing rates in the fourth quarter also declined, and as a result, the supply-chain equilibrium got disrupted, further aiding the downward movement of fatty alcohol ethoxylates prices.

Europe

The price trend for FAE registered a fluctuating pattern in the last two quarters of 2022. The prices were majorly affected by low offtakes from the surfactant and detergent industries and also by the rising cost of energy production due to the ongoing conflict between Russia-Ukraine. However, the later months of the fourth quarter were favorable in terms of the ethoxylates prices as the market activities gained momentum and the manufacturing sector returned to its normal pace leading to an increase in the inventory levels, thereby supporting the supply chain.

North America

A mixed trend in the prices of ethoxylate was seen in the North American region as the US economy faced challenges from rising inflation rates and the limited availability of raw materials. The downstream industries, such as detergent and surfactants, also decreased demand, leading to increased inventory levels. However, in the last two months of the fourth quarter, the prices somewhat recovered as the cost of raw materials increased, and the market gradually followed the path of recovery.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates are estimated to be volatile in the coming months. The unsettled demand from the downstream surfactant and detergent industries, coupled with the rising uncertainties in the market dynamics, will likely affect the FAE prices.
 

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate Price Trend For the First Half of 2022

Asia

The fatty alcohol ethoxylate prices rose during the first quarter owing to firm demand from the downstream surfactant and cleaning industry. The mismatch in the supply-demand dynamics caused the low stocks to lead to the price increase averaging 2654 USD/MT.

Floods in Malaysia, one of the leading exporters of palm oil (an essential feedstock for FAE), led to considerable uncertainties in the market. These high prices negatively impacted consumer buying patterns, leading to demand destruction. Despite the export ban on palm oil by the Indonesian government in Q2, the price trend for ethoxylates kept steady with no upward movement.

Europe

During Q1, the ethoxylate prices kept strong throughout the European domestic market. Given the turbulent geopolitical disturbances, the inflationary pricing amid dwindling inventories caused the prices to rise, averaging 3260 USD/MT. To cushion their profit margins, the manufacturers increased their market quotations. These soaring prices heavily influenced consumer patterns, and the market demand declined. Hence, the prices fell in Q2 owing to weak market sentiments and inflationary pressure.

North America

The US domestic market closely followed the global outlook. The FAE prices inclined during the first quarter amid supply constraints, labour shortages, inflated freight charges and strong demand from the surfactant and cosmetic industry, averaging 2817 USD/MT. However, the pricing patterns declined in Q2 owing to the declining market demand. Hence, the price trend remained bearish in the second quarter.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the market for fatty acid ethoxylates will undergo significant fluctuations in the upcoming months owing to a wide range of factors. With the current market fundamentals exhibiting a stabilizing trend, the final price will depend on consumer demand, likely to remain low due to the rumoured speculations of a global recession.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate. 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; customization of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.