In Q1 2025, the SLES price trend showed a strong rebound in China, with a reported 8.6% price increase, reaching USD 1007 per metric ton, according to PriceWatch. This surge was driven by recovery in demand from both domestic and international markets, particularly within the personal care and cleaning sectors. Improved industrial production and steady demand for SLES across various formulations led to higher prices.
Malaysia, which imports SLES from China, mirrored this trend, with a 7.7% price increase, reaching USD 1634 per metric ton. The Malaysian market’s growth was also due to consistent local demand, particularly for personal care products. Rising input costs from China, along with steady domestic consumption, pushed prices higher, supporting the market’s recovery despite global uncertainties.
According to PriceWatch, Q2 2025 saw the SLES price trend in China surge by 33.3%, reaching USD 1301 per metric ton, marking a substantial price increase. This dramatic rise was fueled by a sharp uptick in demand from key sectors such as cosmetics, cleaning, and personal care. Supply chain disruptions, combined with a constrained supply, amplified the price hike. Global demand for SLES surged, particularly in emerging markets, further supporting the upward trend.
Malaysia, importing SLES from China, recorded an 8.9% price increase, reaching USD 1716 per metric ton. This increase reflected tightening global supply and growing demand for personal care and industrial products. Local market growth in Malaysia was buoyed by steady consumption in the hygiene and cosmetics sectors, despite ongoing global challenges.
According to PriceWatch, the SLES price trend in Q1 2024 showed mixed trends in China and Malaysia. China experienced a 3.9% price decline, reaching USD 821 per metric ton, driven by weakened demand from key sectors such as detergents and personal care. Domestic industrial activity slowed down, and export demand was lower, contributing to the price drop.
Conversely, Malaysia, which imports SLES from China, saw a moderate 2.1% price increase, reaching USD 1328 per metric ton. This rise was supported by steady demand from the personal care and cleaning sectors, where SLES remains a vital ingredient. Despite challenges in China, the Malaysian market benefited from stable local consumption, reflecting steady demand in key industries, especially in personal care.
In Q2 2024, PriceWatch reported a 1.8% price increase, reaching USD 836 per metric ton, for SLES in China, driven by steady demand from the cosmetics and household cleaning sectors. The supply chain also began to stabilize, supporting this price uptick. However, the growth remained subdued due to lingering concerns over global economic conditions, which dampened overall consumption.
Malaysia, importing SLES from China, experienced a more pronounced 5.8% price increase, reaching USD 1405 per metric ton. This surge was attributed to higher domestic demand for personal care products, along with the recovery of the supply chain. As local manufacturers faced rising raw material costs, they passed these costs on to consumers, especially within the cosmetics and hygiene sectors.
According to PriceWatch, Q3 2024 saw significant price fluctuations in the SLES price trend, particularly in China, where prices surged by 21.1%, reaching USD 993 per metric ton. This sharp increase was attributed to strong demand from both domestic industries and international export markets. The cosmetics and cleaning sectors, in particular, experienced robust growth, leading to upward pressure on prices. Supply chain constraints and logistical challenges further supported the price hike.
Malaysia, importing SLES from China, recorded a 1.3% price increase, reaching USD 1423 per metric ton. Although China’s prices surged, Malaysia’s increase remained more modest due to stable local demand and relatively stable availability of SLES. Local demand for personal care products helped mitigate the impact of global price volatility.
In Q4 2024, the SLES price trend in China, according to PriceWatch, faced a decline of 8.5%, reaching USD 927 per metric ton, largely due to seasonal variations and weakened demand from key industrial sectors. An oversupply in the market and a slowdown in manufacturing activities further exacerbated the drop. Logistical disruptions and global economic uncertainties contributed to reduced export demand, negatively impacting the market.
Meanwhile, Malaysia experienced a 6.7% price increase, reaching USD 1518 per metric ton, driven by consistent local demand in personal care and cleaning industries. Despite weaker global market conditions, the Malaysian market benefited from overall demand stability, allowing prices to rise even in a globally uncertain environment.
The first quarter of 2025 saw a significant rebound in India’s SLES market, with a robust 11.1% price increase, reaching USD 1583 per metric ton, according to PriceWatch. This surge was driven by strong domestic demand, particularly in personal care products and household cleaning items, as well as improved export opportunities. The recovery in the global market and steady local consumption supported the price growth.
Additionally, rising input costs and logistical improvements played a role in further pushing prices upwards. The FOB prices also saw a rise of 10.8%, reaching USD 1618 per metric ton, reflecting the continued upward trend in the Indian market for SLES, largely driven by stronger demand and increased manufacturing activity in the region.
In Q2 2025, India’s SLES price trend experienced an 8.3% increase, reaching USD 1715 per metric ton, as reported by PriceWatch. The steady demand from key sectors like personal care, cleaning, and industrial applications contributed to this continued price rise. The domestic market remained resilient, with personal care demand being a significant driver for the SLES market.
The FOB prices also showed a similar upward trend, rising by 8.2% to USD 1736 per metric ton. The strong market growth was further supported by stable supply chains, improved manufacturing capacities, and consistent demand for SLES in consumer products, despite global uncertainties and inflationary pressures. The price growth reflected India’s growing domestic consumption and robust demand for SLES-based products.
In Q1 2024, the SLES market in India saw a modest 1.3% rise, reaching USD 1231 per metric ton, driven by stable demand from the domestic personal care and cleaning sectors. Despite some challenges in global markets, local consumption remained relatively stable, especially in the personal care sector. The demand for SLES was bolstered by consistent consumer activity, which led to this mild price increase.
Additionally, the market saw some support from raw material cost adjustments, although the overall demand for SLES remained moderate due to factors like ongoing global economic uncertainties. The FOB prices also mirrored this trend, with a similar 1.3% price increase, reaching USD 1266 per metric ton, reflecting the market dynamics in India.
In Q2 2024, India saw a more notable 5.8% price increase, reaching USD 1302 per metric ton, in the SLES market, driven by strong demand in both the personal care and household cleaning sectors. According to PriceWatch, the rise was supported by a recovery in local manufacturing activity and improved consumption patterns across multiple industries.
The supply chain, which had faced some disruption earlier, showed signs of stabilizing, further contributing to the price growth. The FOB prices saw a similar rise of 5.7%, reaching USD 1337 per metric ton, in line with the overall market trend. The increase reflected the ongoing steady demand within India’s domestic market for SLES, especially in sectors like cosmetics, where demand continued to grow.
In Q3 2024, the SLES market in India saw a more moderate price increase of 1.9%, reaching USD 1327 per metric ton. The PriceWatch data indicated that while demand remained stable in key sectors such as personal care and cleaning, the pace of price growth decelerated compared to earlier quarters. The slower rate of increase was partly due to some market adjustments and the stabilization of supply chains.
The FOB prices showed a similar trend with a 1.8% rise, reaching USD 1362 per metric ton, reflecting less volatile pricing dynamics. While demand remained steady, both local manufacturers and consumers began to adjust to more stable market conditions, leading to a more modest price increase.
In Q4 2024, India’s SLES market experienced a significant price increase of 7.4%, reaching USD 1425 per metric ton, as reported by PriceWatch. This surge was driven by the continued demand in the personal care and cleaning sectors, which showed resilience despite global economic challenges. The price increase was also supported by higher input costs and slight supply constraints.
India’s local consumption continued to rise, particularly in the personal care industry, where SLES is a key ingredient in products like shampoos and body washes. The FOB prices mirrored the market trend, rising by 7.2% to USD 1460 per metric ton. The overall price hike in India was attributed to increased demand coupled with supply-side pressures.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
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.
Appearance | Colourless to Pale Yellow |
Active Matter % | 70 + / – 2 |
pH (1% Aqueous Solution) | 6.5 – 8.5 |
Sodium Sulphate % | 3.0 Max |
Sodium Chloride % | 0.5 Max |
Un-Sulfated Matter % | 2.5 Max |
1- 4 Dioxane ppm | 30 Max |
Applications
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) is widely used in various applications due to its effective surfactant properties. In personal care products, it serves as a cleansing and foaming agent in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers, providing a rich lather. In household cleaning products, SLES enhances the cleaning efficiency of detergents, dish soaps, and surface cleaners. Additionally, it is utilized in industrial applications, such as in textile and paper manufacturing, where it aids in emulsifying and wetting processes. Its versatility and effectiveness make SLES a popular choice across multiple sectors.
These events underscore the SLES market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global sodium lauryl ether sulfate price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
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This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable SLES pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
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.
Appearance | Colourless to Pale Yellow |
Active Matter % | 70 + / – 2 |
pH (1% Aqueous Solution) | 6.5 – 8.5 |
Sodium Sulphate % | 3.0 Max |
Sodium Chloride % | 0.5 Max |
Un-Sulfated Matter % | 2.5 Max |
1- 4 Dioxane ppm | 30 Max |
Applications
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) is widely used in various applications due to its effective surfactant properties. In personal care products, it serves as a cleansing and foaming agent in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers, providing a rich lather. In household cleaning products, SLES enhances the cleaning efficiency of detergents, dish soaps, and surface cleaners. Additionally, it is utilized in industrial applications, such as in textile and paper manufacturing, where it aids in emulsifying and wetting processes. Its versatility and effectiveness make SLES a popular choice across multiple sectors.
The cost of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) is affected by various factors, such as the prices of raw materials, manufacturing processes, and overall market demand. The primary raw materials for SLES production, such as palm oil or coconut oil, can fluctuate in price due to agricultural conditions and global trade policies. Additionally, the manufacturing process can impact the cost; more efficient production methods may lower prices. Market demand for SLES in industries such as personal care, household cleaning, and industrial applications also plays a significant role. Suppliers may adjust prices based on trends and shifts in demand, making it essential to monitor these factors for optimal procurement.
To ensure competitive pricing for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES), it’s crucial to adopt a strategic sourcing approach. Begin by conducting market research to identify multiple suppliers and their pricing structures. Engaging in long-term contracts can provide stability in pricing and supply. Furthermore, exploring bulk purchasing can help you benefit from economies of scale. Regularly reviewing supplier performance and maintaining open communication can also foster better pricing negotiations. Finally, staying updated on market trends and potential disruptions can help you make informed sourcing decisions, allowing you to capitalize on favourable pricing.
Establishing long-term contracts for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) offers several benefits, including price stability and predictable supply. Long-term agreements often lead to better pricing due to the commitment from both parties, which can help mitigate the impact of market fluctuations. Additionally, having a reliable supplier can ensure consistent quality and availability, reducing the risk of production disruptions. Procurement heads should also consider negotiating favourable terms, such as volume discounts and flexible delivery schedules, to maximize value in their long-term contracts.
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