- Russia-Ukraine Conflict (2022-Present):Â Â
Energy Price Surge: The conflict led to a sharp rise in natural gas and crude oil prices, increasing production costs for PPG.Â
Raw Material Supply Disruptions: Limited availability of key feedstocks like propylene oxide due to supply chain interruptions.Â
Logistics: Transportation delays and higher freight costs disrupted the delivery of raw materials and finished products.Â
Regional Trade Imbalances: The conflict affected trade routes, creating regional supply-demand mismatches and price volatility.Â
Market Uncertainty: Geopolitical instability caused speculative trading, further amplifying price fluctuations in the PPG market.Â
- COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):Â Â
Supply Chain Disruptions: Lockdowns and restrictions disrupted the supply of key feedstocks like propylene oxide, leading to inconsistent production.Â
Demand Variability: Fluctuating demand from industries such as automotive and construction, combined with increased demand for PPG in sanitizers and cleaning products, created market imbalances.Â
Logistical Challenges: Global transportation bottlenecks and rising freight costs impacted the availability and pricing of PPG.Â
Production Shifts: Some manufacturers prioritized essential goods, reducing PPG production capacity for non-essential applications.Â
Economic Uncertainty: Market volatility and reduced industrial activity in many sectors led to unpredictable pricing trends.
- Geopolitical Tensions (2018-2019):Â Â
Trade Wars: The US-China trade conflict led to increased tariffs on raw materials like propylene oxide, raising production costs for PPG.Â
Sanctions and Embargoes: Restrictions on key exporting countries disrupted the supply chain for PPG feedstocks, causing price volatility.Â
Currency Fluctuations: Geopolitical instability contributed to currency devaluation in some regions, increasing import costs for raw materials.Â
Supply Chain Disruptions: Tensions affected transportation and logistics, delaying deliveries and creating regional supply-demand imbalances.Â
Speculative Market Activity: Political uncertainty fueled speculative trading, amplifying price instability in the PPG market.Â