- Russia-Ukraine Conflict (2022-Present):  
Energy Supply Disruptions: The conflict has severely impacted natural gas and crude oil supplies from the region, which are critical to the production of Epichlorohydrin. Rising energy costs have driven up production expenses, causing price increases. 
Raw Material Shortages: Sanctions on Russia and disrupted trade routes have led to shortages of key raw materials, such as propylene, essential for producing Epichlorohydrin. This supply strain has further pushed prices higher in various markets. 
Logistical Challenges: The conflict has disrupted global logistics, increased transportation costs and creating delays in shipments, especially in Europe. This has affected the availability of Epichlorohydrin and contributed to price volatility. 
Market Uncertainty: Geopolitical instability has created uncertainty in the global chemical markets, prompting stockpiling and increased demand from buyers concerned about supply disruptions, further driving price fluctuations. 
- COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):  
Supply Chain Disruptions: Lockdowns and restrictions led to production halts, factory closures, and transportation delays, disrupting the supply of Epichlorohydrin. This caused supply shortages, which pushed prices higher in many regions. 
Decreased Demand in Key Industries: Industries that use Epichlorohydrin, such as coatings, chemicals, and solvents, saw reduced demand during the early months of the pandemic. This led to a temporary drop in prices as industrial activity slowed. 
Post-Lockdown Recovery: As economies began to reopen, demand for Epichlorohydrin surged, especially in sectors like construction and manufacturing. This increase in demand, coupled with limited supply, caused a sharp rise in prices. 
Rising Production Costs: Increased operational costs due to safety measures, raw material shortages, and higher transportation expenses further contributed to price fluctuations. 
- Geopolitical Tensions (2018-2019):  
U.S.-China Trade War: The trade war resulted in tariffs on chemicals, including raw materials like propylene, which are crucial for Epichlorohydrin production. These tariffs increased production costs and disrupted supply chains, causing price volatility in the global market. 
Sanctions and Political Instability: Sanctions imposed on key regions like Iran and Russia, major players in the energy and petrochemical industries, affected the availability of feedstocks required for Epichlorohydrin production. This led to supply shortages and price hikes. 
Energy Price Volatility: Geopolitical tensions in oil-producing regions caused fluctuations in global energy prices, which directly impacted the cost of Epichlorohydrin production. As crude oil and natural gas prices rose, the costs of producing and transporting Epichlorohydrin also increased, leading to pricing instability. 
These events underscore the Epichlorohydrin market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.Â