As of August 2024, C10 Solvent prices are averaging $860 per metric ton FOB South Korea, marking a decrease from the previous month. This price dip comes after disruptions in regional supply during Q2 2024, where key production hubs in South Korea and India faced maintenance shutdowns. Additionally, rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have put pressure on the supply of crucial feedstocks, especially naphtha and other hydrocarbons, exacerbating logistical challenges and impacting production costs across the region.
In 2024, the C10 solvent market is seeing fluctuating prices, influenced largely by supply chain disruptions and regional demand factors. In South Korea, the market remains stable with steady demand from industries like paints, coatings, and adhesives, bolstered by a 2% YoY recovery in the construction sector. However, challenges in exporting to China and other regional markets have put downward pressure on prices. In India, a 5% price increase quarter-on-quarter reflects strong demand, particularly from the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, along with rising import reliance due to lower domestic naphtha availability. Meanwhile, Indonesia has seen steady growth in demand, especially in the industrial and cleaning sectors, though the market remains slightly more expensive due to high reliance on imports.
The supply chain remains tight as of Q3 2024, with delays in feedstock availability and ongoing logistical issues in South Korea and India. As a result, production costs have risen, despite increased demand from the automotive industries in both countries.
Looking into Q4 2024, prices are expected to stabilize with a possible 2-3% reduction due to the anticipated increase in regional production capacities. New plants coming online in India and South Korea should help ease supply bottlenecks. However, the ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East, coupled with fluctuating crude oil prices, will likely continue to drive short-term price volatility. These dynamics, combined with moderate growth in key sectors like automotive and construction, should sustain demand, while challenges in other sectors, such as electronics, could create downward pressure.