North America

In the third quarter of 2023, Neopentyl Glycol (NPG) prices in the North American market remained relatively stable, showing only minor fluctuations within a narrow range. Prices saw slight increases during the quarter, driven primarily by tight supply conditions and a global upturn in upstream crude oil prices. Despite this, the demand for NPG from the paints and coatings industry, a significant downstream sector, exhibited a moderate pace of growth. The modest improvement in the downstream construction industry contributed to the price uptick. In August, several US companies reported a slower expansion in output, with economic activity nearly stagnant across the private sector. The manufacturing sector saw a decline in production, and service providers experienced a slowdown in their growth rate, reaching its lowest level since February. Additionally, in September 2023, production activities in various parts of the country were disrupted due to a storm impacting the Gulf Coast and Florida, further contributing to prevailing market conditions.

APAC

In the Asian NPG market, the third quarter began with an initial decline of 4.4% in the first month, followed by a noteworthy increase of 5.8% throughout the quarter. July witnessed price drops due to reduced demand from the construction industry and a decrease in the cost of upstream Benzene in the regional market. However, readily available international supplies at lower import prices, influenced by the favorable performance of the Chinese Yuan against the US dollar, led to increased product availability. The resumption of production in China allowed market players to make sales with narrow profit margins, gradually regaining market momentum despite high inventory levels. Prices experienced a substantial increase in August 2023, and this upward trend continued through September, driven by tight supply, rising upstream crude oil prices, and strong demand from the international market, especially from India. Labor shortages in September, attributed to mid-autumn holidays in China, further widened the gap between demand and supply, supporting the price increase. Data from the National Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicated a relatively stable new order index, suggesting consistent consumption of goods.

 

 

Europe

In the European Neopentyl Glycol (NPG) market, the third quarter of the current year saw an initial decline in the first month, followed by a significant and remarkable increase in the subsequent months. July witnessed price drops due to reduced demand from the construction industry and a decrease in the cost of upstream Benzene in the regional market. Conversely, prices experienced a substantial increase in August 2023, and this upward trend continued through September. The price surge was fueled by a tight supply situation within the country, escalating upstream crude oil prices, and robust demand from the international market, driven by the strong performance of the downstream paints and coatings sector. The holiday season in August 2023 led to labor shortages and reduced manufacturing activities within the region, impacting market dynamics. Demand from the downstream paints and coatings sector showed a moderate pace during this time period. Additionally, growing inflationary pressure and hiked interest rates contributed to the prevailing price trend.