SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get comprehensive insights into the Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate market, with a focused analysis of the Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate price trend across Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) Price Index

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Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) Price Trend for the October- December of 2023

Asia

The sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) price trend gradually moved upwards in the last quarter of 2023 from approximately 1228 USD/MT (FOB, India) in October’23 to 1265 USD/MT in December’23. The Chinese and South Korean markets witnessed a substantial surge in the demand for sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), which helped in the depletion of existing inventories and helped the SLES prices to grow. Additionally, the escalating cost of feedstock ethylene oxide and fatty alcohols also worked in favor of the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market, and thus, all the market determiners led to an inclination in sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices.

SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) Price Chart

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Europe

The European countries experienced oscillations in sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices as the market dynamics became unstable due to shifting consumer dynamics. The region also struggled with low export figures as the disruption of the Red Sea trade route and limited supply of raw materials lowered the production output and limited the number of shipments leaving the European ports.

North America

The sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices in the USA for the last quarter of 2023 rose from approximately 1390 USD/MT (CFR, USA) in October’23 to 1432 USD/MT in December’23. The momentum of the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market was carried forward in Q4 from the past quarters as the persistently inclining demand from the downstream surfactant industries and gradual increase in the cost of feedstock materials favored the rise in sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices. Additionally, limited export of palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia slowed down the production rates and thus stabilized the supply-demand equilibria of the SLES market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trends of Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) are expected to be dependent on the demands from downstream industries and global export-import trends.

Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) Price Trend for the July- September of 2023

Asia

The Asian countries registered an inclination in sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices in the third quarter of 2023. The number of inquiries from the downstream surfactant industry saw a notable inclination and the increased cost of raw materials raised the overall cost of production, leading to the northwards movement of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) price trends. Additionally, in Indian markets, the price trajectory of upstream palm oil remained elevated throughout the quarter, and the impending festival season worked in favor of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) price trends; the prices went from 1192 USD/MT (FOB, India) in July’23 to 1216 USD/MT in September’23.

Europe

In European countries, the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices remained volatile throughout the quarter as the regional market fluctuations prevented the northward movement of the prices. The oscillations were a result of ongoing recession in European countries, leading to a cautious demand from the consumer sector. The purchasing sentiments of downstream industries were further adversely affected by the gradual rise in the cost of production due to the appreciation in the prices of raw materials and crude oil.

North America

The overall dynamics of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market in the US improved significantly in the third quarter of 2023. After an initial hike of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices from around 1418 USD/MT (CFR, USA) to 1461 USD/MT in the first month, the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) trajectory stabilized as the quarter approached its end. The positive momentum of the sodium SLES market was based on sufficient demand from the domestic and overseas markets and the quick depletion of stored stockpiles. Additionally, the cost of feedstock materials and crude oil also inclined significantly, giving the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) prices an upward push.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trends of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) are estimated to showcase limited movement in the upcoming quarters due to the wavering trends adopted by the downstream industries in terms of demand and rising inflationary pressure.

SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

SLES prices witnessed a declining price trend throughout the said period of H1 2023 in the Indian market. Prices started with an average price of about 1302 USD/MT (India, EXW (70%)) in January and closed the second quarter with an average price of around 1197 USD/MT (India, EXW (70%)). The primary reason behind these depressing trend was oversupplied inventories in the face of stable and consistent demands. As the production kept high momentum, the supply and demand dynamics got destabilized, resulting in these price trend.

Europe

The European SLES market observed fluctuating price trend throughout the first half of 2023. There were various factors influencing the price trend of SLES at the same time. Declined upstream costs with lowered feedstock prices, improved and cheaper freight costs, and recovering industrial manufacturing, along with dull and fluctuating market demands, affected the pricing fundamentals. So, the overall market sentiments were dull and oscillating.

North America

The North American SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) market sentiments were observed to be bearish throughout the discussed period. The market mostly remained riddled with multiple contributing factors suggesting dull behaviour. The demands were moderate from downstream surfactant and cleaning industries, and the production costs were mostly on the falling trajectory. Further, the freight and energy costs also declined, leading to a mixed market behaviour.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) market is expected to strive for improvement; the inventory stocks and the market demands will play a crucial role in determining the price trend.

Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia Pacific

The prices for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate decreased in China during the third and fourth quarters of 2022. This price drop was mainly attributed to the consistent supply of palm oil from Malaysia being sold at reduced prices in the domestic market. The decline was further supported by the sluggish demand from the importing markets. The Covid restrictions in China led to slow buying patterns in the region and caused the demand to decline steadily. As, South Korea imports from China, the price trend for sodium lauryl ether sulfate followed the same pattern as in China.

Europe

The prices of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) dropped across Europe in the said period. The high energy production costs and the operation cost of the commodity increased in the European region. The production costs were also hit by the rising inflation rates thereby decreasing demand for SLES across the region. The combined effect of the above-mentioned factors along with operational cuts in the downstream cosmetics manufacturing facilities kept the price trend of sodium lauryl ether sulfate on the lower end of the scale.

North America

Throughout the second half, the prices of SLES decreased, primarily due to the decline in palm oil prices. The strong supplies of palm from Malaysia and Indonesia were able to satisfy the consistent demand from the downstream cosmetics industries. The decline in the pricing was aided by the weak demand from importing nations like Mexico and Canada. The cost of producing sodium lauryl ether sulfate in the US was also reduced by the increased availability of upstream crude palm oil from Indonesia.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the prices of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) are likely to decrease during the coming months given the surplus supplies and low demand from the downstream sectors. Although the prices are prone to fluctuations owing to the rising inflation rates and contracting purchasing power of consumers.

For the Second Quarter of 2022

Asia

Currently, the prices of the raw material required for its manufacture are staggeringly high. The Asian market faces colossal supply chain disruptions due to shortages and increased demand for its most basic component Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This price inflation of SLS will likely push the input costs to a higher side, hampering the returns for the downstream industries.

Europe

With the ongoing Russia-Ukraine confrontation, the EU is deprived of the rich black sea sunflower oil, which led to the prices of the vegetable oils skyrocketing globally. The EU governments frantically looking for substitutes eyed the palm oil imports, which in turn led to an increase in SLES prices.
 
Since palm oil is the raw material required for manufacturing SLS- the primary component for SLES; the price trend of SLES reached a colossal high in the EU market.

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

In the beginning of 2022, the SLES market in China had been week as the Chinese Lunar Year brought down the production and business activities in the region. SLES prices continued to witness a downward trend in January with the average 70% SLES prices, FOB Nanjing,  falling by 6.3% and 28% SLES Ex-Shanghai prices falling by 11.5% since December. The fall in prices can be accounted to manufacturers prioritising stock clearance, therefore leading to negative revisions in offered contracts.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

SLES prices rose sharply in October, continuing to rise until November, owing to restricted raw material availability. Due to low productivity, major palm oil-producing countries like Indonesia and Malaysia struggled to meet international demand, forcing importing countries like China to pay more for feedstock imports. Due to China's Dual Control Policy, industrial facilities were unable to operate at full capacity, exacerbating the SLES supply deficit and causing prices to spike in November.

However, due to lower demand and relief in ethylene and ethylene oxide prices, prices fell to between 910 USD/MT and 1282 USD/MT in December. Due to higher raw material prices on the international market, prices in India grew steadily during the quarter. As the Omicron cases rose across the region, demand from the soap and detergent downstream industries grew, which quickly began to fill their stockpiles, forcing SLES prices in India to settle at 879 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai in December.

Europe

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the European market followed the same pricing trend as the US, with SLES prices increasing in October and gradually increasing in November and December. Due to the peaking energy crisis, producers were obliged to trade SLES volumes at high rates due to a lack of feedstock supplies and high input costs. The sustained bullishness in the SLES market was fueled by increased end-user demand, which widened the supply-demand fundamentals as coronavirus cases resurfaced, finally driving prices to linger over 400 USD/MT FOB in Germany in December 2021.

North America

Throughout the fourth quarter of 2021, the SLES market in North America was hit hard by excessive pricing volatility. Palm oil prices on the worldwide market reached new highs. This, combined with rising prices for raw materials such as ethylene and ethylene oxide, encouraged companies to seek favourable adjustments to their contracts.

The price hikes were aided by a shortage of raw materials due to delayed supplies and rising freight expenses. As marine trade movement slowed and ethylene oxide raw material prices cooled, SLES prices in the US stayed around 590 USD/MT FOB New York, registering a lesser percentage increase than in November. Palm oil supply constraints persisted despite a positive demand outlook, causing prices to stay buoyant.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

The benchmark crude palm oil price futures rose by 31% to 1252 USD/MT due to tight supplies from Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's main palm oil producing countries. The production in Indonesia slowed in the third quarter due to poor fertiliser use and maintenance concerns.

In July, the price increased by 67 USD/MT over the previous year. As the number of coronavirus infections in the country increased, costs rose due to a lack of supply caused by a labour shortage. The spike in palm oil prices had an influence on downstream sectors like SLES, as it increased the cost of raw materials.

North America

Palm oil prices surged to 1110 USD/MT in March 2021, up from 1040 USD/MT, and were expected to rise higher. As a result of this price increase, SLES prices increased as well.

For the Year 2020

Asia

Palm oil demand had fallen by 5% in May 2020 compared to the beginning of the year, as its exports and demand fell. During the coronavirus outbreak, the WHO advised against using palm oil and instead advocated switching to alternative vegetable oils.

Its prices had fallen to 9-month lows of 461 USD/MT. As a result of a global supply deficit and unfavourable weather circumstances, the benchmark crude palm oil price in Malaysia increased to an eight-year high of 3348 USD/MT in November 2020. Its price volatility had an impact on downstream products such as SLES.

Europe

Europe, which is one of the main users of palm oil, saw a drop of around 1-1.5 MMT as a result of the pandemic's disturbed supply-demand fundamentals. In Europe, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Italy were the top consumers of palm oil. Its usage, on the other hand, only recovered in the second half of the year. Throughout most of the year, demand for palm oil remained weak, influencing prices in downstream industries such as SLES.

North America

In the year 2020, the price of coconut oil (CNO) increased substantially. The price was 39% higher at 1,015 USD/MT than it was previous year at 731 USD/MT. The price in the United States changed by 35%, from 834 USD/MT to 1,463 USD/MT. PKO prices increased by 25% in 2020, rising from an average of 662 USD/MT in 2019 to an average of 827 USD/MT in 2020. The price was rising at a rate of 3% every month, with a 46% fluctuation.

As the price disparity between CNO and PKO widened, so did demand for CNO in the US market. CNO shipments to the United States totaled 454,401 tonnes in 2020, down 3.5 percent from the previous year. Demand for PKO increased by 11% in 2020, from 343,052 to 381,105 tonnes. In the United States, the total volume of lauric oil imported increased by more than 3%.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of SLES (Sodium lauryl Ether sulfate). 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.