Indonesia
Malaysia
United States
China
Brazil
NetherlandsFatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices declined 4.1% to USD 2,456 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta in Q1 2025, as the market corrected from Q4 2024’s record highs. Seasonal demand weakness in detergent and personal care sectors combined with improved PKO feedstock availability to ease supply concerns.
Chinese New Year slowdowns and European inventory drawdowns particularly impacted export volumes, though prices found floor support at USD 2,367 per metric ton in March amid production cuts by Indonesian manufacturers. The quarter highlighted the market’s ongoing adjustment to volatile oleochemical feedstock costs and changing regional demand patterns.Â
In Q2 2025, Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) market saw a moderate recovery as supply constraints and improved downstream demand supported pricing, with Fatty alcohol (C12-14) prices increased by 3.4%. Indonesian refineries reduced output during the Ramadan period, tightening availability, while personal care and household cleaning product manufacturers increased procurement, adding steady demand.
However, the upside was partially capped by cautious buying sentiment from Chinese importers and ongoing competition from synthetic alcohol alternatives in key export markets. Overall, the quarter reflected a tighter regional balance compared to Q1, though concerns over demand sustainability in the second half of the year remained. According to PriceWatch, Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices averaged USD 2,535 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta in Q2 2025.Â
The Fatty Alcohol market opened in 2024 at USD 1,534 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta, essentially flat (0.2% increase) from Q4 2023 levels. Prices moved within a narrow USD 1,534-1,724 range as balanced inventories and steady palm oil feedstock costs created market stability.
Demand from the personal care sector showed a modest recovery while detergent applications remained sluggish. The quarter’s relative price stability reflected transitional market conditions between surplus 2023 inventories and anticipated 2024 demand recovery, with traders cautiously rebuilding positions ahead of the spring season. Â
Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) Prices averaged USD 1,499 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta in Q2 2024, declining 4.3% quarter-on-quarter as abundant palm kernel oil supplies and weak Chinese demand created oversupply conditions. The downturn was exacerbated by sluggish surfactant demand in Europe and competitive pressure from synthetic alternatives. Prices briefly found support at USD 1,450 per metric ton in June before modest pre-monsoon stocking in India provided late-quarter relief. The period highlighted the market’s ongoing struggle with excess capacity and margin compression across the oleochemical value chain.Â
Fatty Alcohol prices rebounded 15.8% to USD 1,737 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta in Q3 2024, recovering from H1 lows as palm oil feedstock prices firmed and downstream inventory restocking commenced. The rally gained momentum through the quarter, with August-September seeing particularly strong demand from Indian and Middle Eastern detergent makers preparing for festival seasons.
Production issues at several Indonesian plants due to dry weather conditions further tightened availability, though the market remained well-supplied compared to 2023 levels. The quarter demonstrated the market’s sensitivity to both agricultural feedstock trends and seasonal demand cycles.Â
Q4 2024 saw Fatty Alcohol prices surge 23.6% to average USD 2,407 per metric ton FOB Port Jakarta (C12-14), marking the strongest quarterly performance since 2022. Tight PKO supplies from Malaysia/Indonesia and hurricane-related production issues in US oleochemicals created unprecedented supply chain disruptions.
Soaring demand from India’s festive season detergent production and pre-buying ahead of expected EU winter demand further fueled the rally. The quarter’s price peak at USD 2,507 per metric ton in December reflected severe market tightness, with buyers paying premiums for prompt shipments amid logistical bottlenecks at Indonesian ports.Â
Fatty Alcohol prices declined 4.1% to USD 2480 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva in Q1 2025, correcting from Q4’s record highs. The downturn reflected reduced buying from Indian importers during the fiscal year-end period and improved shipping availability in the Malacca Strait.
Prices found support at USD 2417 per metric ton in mid-March as Indonesian producers implemented output cuts, while India’s pre-monsoon inventory building provided late-quarter momentum. The market remained finely balanced between adequate regional supplies and uncertain demand outlooks in key downstream sectors.Â
In Q2 2025, the Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) market in India strengthened, driven by seasonal demand and regional supply constraints. Supply chain disruptions in Southeast Asia, combined with production cuts at Indonesian refineries during the wet season, reduced spot availability. Indian detergent and personal care manufacturers increased procurement ahead of the monsoon and festive season, further tightening the market.
However, buying activity from China remained subdued, while palm kernel oil feedstock prices showed early signs of stabilization, limiting further upside. The second quarter highlighted the market’s ongoing sensitivity to both regional demand cycles and upstream oleochemical dynamics. According to PriceWatch, Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices averaged USD 2,590/MT CIF Nhava Sheva in Q2 2025.Â
Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices opened 2024 at USD 1537/MT CIF Nhava Sheva, registering a marginal 0.2% increase from Q4 2023 levels. Fatty Alcohol market traded within a relatively narrow range of USD 1500-1650/MT, supported by balanced inventories and stable palm oil feedstock costs, which created a brief period of price equilibrium.
Indian import activity showed modest recovery as procurement normalized after year-end slowdowns, while Chinese demand remained restrained amid uncertain downstream consumption. This temporary stability proved short-lived as structural supply-demand imbalances resurfaced later in the year, laying the groundwork for the heightened volatility observed in subsequent quarters.Â
Fatty Alcohol market averaged USD 1534 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva in Q2 2024 for C12-14 grade, down 4.3% quarter-on-quarter as abundant regional supplies met tepid demand. Indian buyers deferred purchases amid ample domestic inventories, while Chinese demand remained subdued by economic headwinds.
Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices briefly dipped to USD 1505 per metric ton in June before finding support from pre-monsoon stocking activity. The quarter highlighted the ongoing challenges of oversupply in the regional fatty alcohol market, with producers struggling to maintain margins amid soft downstream demand.Â
In Q3 2024, Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices rebounded by 15.8% quarter-on-quarter, reaching USD 2,070/MT CIF Nhava Sheva as the market recovered from H1 lows. The rally was underpinned by tight palm kernel oil (PKO) availability, stemming from weaker seasonal yields, and heightened Indian festive-season demand that drove accelerated procurement.
August and September witnessed particularly intense buying activity, further amplified by Indonesia’s mid-quarter export policy adjustments, which restricted availability and forced Indian importers to secure volumes at elevated levels. However, despite the strong price momentum, underlying demand growth remained limited, with high inventory levels across the supply chain tempering longer-term consumption prospects.Â
Q4 2024 saw a sharp escalation in Fatty Alcohol (C12-14) prices, recording a 23.6% quarter-on-quarter surge, the strongest since 2021. Hurricane-related production outages across Southeast Asia severely disrupted regional supply, while congestion at major Indian ports further exacerbated delivery delays. Anticipation of import duty revisions in early 2025 prompted Indian buyers to secure December shipments at elevated premiums, driving aggressive short-term demand.
This combination of logistical bottlenecks and policy-driven stocking resulted in extreme market volatility. Prices briefly spiked to exceptional highs in early January 2025 before easing as supply chains began to normalize. Fatty alcohol prices averaged USD 2,514/MT CIF Nhava Sheva in Q4 2024.Â
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Fatty alcohols are high-molecular-weight, straight-chain primary alcohols derived from natural fats and oils, predominantly sourced from palm kernel oil and coconut oil, or synthesized via petrochemical processes. They typically range from C12 to C18 carbon chains and serve as essential intermediates in the production of surfactants, detergents, personal care formulations, and industrial lubricants. Known for their emulsifying, moisturizing, and foaming properties, fatty alcohols play a critical role in home and personal care applications such as shampoos, soaps, and skin-care products. In industrial use, they contribute to textile processing, plastics, and lubricant additives. Their versatility, renewable sourcing potential, and compatibility with both natural and synthetic ingredients make fatty alcohols a key material in sustainable chemical value chains.
Packaging Type
Fatty Alcohol Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Physical state | Waxy solid or oily liquid (depending on temperature) |
| Colour | Colourless to slightly yellow |
| Odour | Faint, fatty alcohol-like |
| Melting point/freezing point | 20–24 °C (varies with chain length and blend ratio) |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point | Approx. 260–300 °C at 1.013 hPa |
| Flammability | Not classified as highly flammable; burns with difficulty |
| Lower and upper explosion limit | Not typically applicable; much less volatile than short-chain alcohols |
| Flash point | Approx. 120–130 °C (c.c.) |
| Auto-ignition temperature | Approx. 210–220 °C |
| pH (value)Â | Not applicable (neutral, used as received)Â |
| Kinematic viscosity | 20–35 mm²/s at 40 °C (varies with composition) |
| Dynamic viscosity | ~30 mPa·s at 40 °C |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water; dispersible in hot water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water | log Kow: 5.3–6.2 (very hydrophobic) |
| Vapour pressure | <0.01 hPa at 20 °C |
| Density | 0.820–0.830 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
Fatty Alcohol Applications
Fatty alcohols are versatile ingredients used in personal care and cosmetics as emulsifiers, in household cleaning as surfactants, and in industrial applications like lubricants and coatings. They are also key feedstocks for biodiesel, used as emulsifiers in food, enhance agrochemicals, and improve fabric treatments in textiles, highlighting their importance across multiple sectors.
Farming & Weather Impact – 2024Â
Feedstock & Freight Fluctuation – 2023Â
Russian Invasion of Ukraine – 2022Â
Post-pandemic Demand Boom – 2021Â
COVID-19 pandemic – 2020Â
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global fatty alcohol price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the fatty alcohol market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence fatty alcohol prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely fatty alcohol market data.
Track PriceWatch's fatty alcohol price assessment on a weekly basis since 2015 onwards, along with short-term forecasts, and get access to the detailed report in a downloadable format.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable Fatty Alcohol pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.Â
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Fatty alcohols are high-molecular-weight, straight-chain primary alcohols derived from natural fats and oils, predominantly sourced from palm kernel oil and coconut oil, or synthesized via petrochemical processes. They typically range from C12 to C18 carbon chains and serve as essential intermediates in the production of surfactants, detergents, personal care formulations, and industrial lubricants. Known for their emulsifying, moisturizing, and foaming properties, fatty alcohols play a critical role in home and personal care applications such as shampoos, soaps, and skin-care products. In industrial use, they contribute to textile processing, plastics, and lubricant additives. Their versatility, renewable sourcing potential, and compatibility with both natural and synthetic ingredients make fatty alcohols a key material in sustainable chemical value chains.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Physical state | Waxy solid or oily liquid (depending on temperature) |
| Colour | Colourless to slightly yellow |
| Odour | Faint, fatty alcohol-like |
| Melting point/freezing point | 20–24 °C (varies with chain length and blend ratio) |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point | Approx. 260–300 °C at 1.013 hPa |
| Flammability | Not classified as highly flammable; burns with difficulty |
| Lower and upper explosion limit | Not typically applicable; much less volatile than short-chain alcohols |
| Flash point | Approx. 120–130 °C (c.c.) |
| Auto-ignition temperature | Approx. 210–220 °C |
| pH (value)Â | Not applicable (neutral, used as received)Â |
| Kinematic viscosity | 20–35 mm²/s at 40 °C (varies with composition) |
| Dynamic viscosity | ~30 mPa·s at 40 °C |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water; dispersible in hot water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water | log Kow: 5.3–6.2 (very hydrophobic) |
| Vapour pressure | <0.01 hPa at 20 °C |
| Density | 0.820–0.830 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
Applications
Fatty alcohols are versatile ingredients used in personal care and cosmetics as emulsifiers, in household cleaning as surfactants, and in industrial applications like lubricants and coatings. They are also key feedstocks for biodiesel, used as emulsifiers in food, enhance agrochemicals, and improve fabric treatments in textiles, highlighting their importance across multiple sectors.
The pricing of fatty alcohol is influenced by several factors, including raw material costs, production processes, and global demand. Key raw materials like palm oil and coconut oil significantly impact prices due to their availability and market fluctuations. Additionally, production methods and technological advancements can alter manufacturing costs. Understanding these dynamics helps procurement heads make strategic purchasing decisions and manage budget effectively.
Procurement heads can anticipate future pricing trends for fatty alcohol by analyzing historical price patterns, monitoring market demand, and keeping an eye on the availability of raw materials. Tracking global economic indicators and industry reports can also provide insights into potential price shifts. Engaging with suppliers and industry experts helps build a comprehensive view, enabling better forecasting and more informed procurement strategies.
Sustainability practices increasingly impact fatty alcohol pricing as consumers and companies prioritize eco-friendly products. Sourcing from sustainable raw material suppliers can lead to higher upfront costs; however, it often results in long-term benefits such as enhanced brand loyalty and compliance with regulatory standards. Procurement heads should consider the balance between sustainability and pricing, as investing in sustainable fatty alcohol can align with corporate responsibility goals and meet market demand for greener products.
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