stearic acid Pricing Assessment

Name: Stearic Acid Price Trend, Analysis and Forecast
Creator: PriceWatch
Published: 2025-02-12T09:49:45+00:00
License: https://www.price-watch.ai/privacy-policy/

Markets Covered:

Indonesia

Malaysia

China

Korea

India

United States

Netherlands

Stearic Acid Price Trend, Analysis and Forecast

Q1 2024

In the first quarter of 2024, stearic acid prices averaged around USD 970 per metric ton. This increase was largely due to significant production disruptions in key manufacturing regions caused by extreme weather events and logistical challenges. These disruptions resulted in a decline of approximately 1 million metric tons in overall production, straining supply. Concurrently, strong demand from the personal care and food industries, driven by rising consumer preferences for products containing natural ingredients, further exacerbated the price hikes. The combination of limited supply and robust demand created a challenging environment for procurement and pricing strategies.

Q2 2024

During the first half of Q2 2024, the stearic acid market continued to grapple with production challenges stemming from ongoing weather-related issues and supply chain disruptions. Despite these hurdles, demand from the personal care sector remained strong, with a reported 3% increase in consumption, particularly for products emphasizing natural and organic formulations. By May 2024, improved production rates began to ease some of the pressure on prices, leading to a degree of stabilization in the market. However, the overall supply dynamics remained fragile, keeping stakeholders cautious about future pricing trends.

Q3 2024

As of August 2024, stearic acid prices are experiencing significant fluctuations, currently averaging around USD 1,070 per metric ton in Malaysia. This rise in prices reflects tight supply conditions coupled with steady demand from the personal care and food applications. Factors contributing to this price movement include ongoing global supply chain disruptions, including transportation challenges and delays in raw material availability. The demand for stearic acid remains robust, particularly in formulations for cosmetics, soaps, and food products, further influencing the upward price trajectory.

Q4 2024

Looking ahead to Q4 2024 and beyond, a partial recovery in stearic acid production is anticipated as weather conditions stabilize and labor-related challenges are addressed. However, the market is expected to remain volatile through 2030. Key influences on market stability will include ongoing climate change impacts that affect agricultural and industrial production, shifts in trade policies that may impact sourcing and logistics, and evolving consumer preferences that increasingly favor sustainable and natural products. Companies will need to navigate these complexities carefully to adapt their strategies and maintain competitiveness in the stearic acid market.

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Historically, several events have caused significant fluctuations in stearic acid prices

Influence of Crude Oil Prices: Historically, stearic acid prices have been influenced by various external factors that have caused fluctuations in demand. One significant factor has been crude oil prices. When oil prices rise, the costs of vegetable oils and animal fats—key feedstocks for stearic acid—also increase, leading to higher prices for stearic acid. Conversely, lower oil prices can reduce costs, stabilizing or even lowering prices.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 also had a considerable impact on the market. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting production and logistics. With factories closed and consumer spending reduced, demand in sectors like cosmetics and personal care decreased, causing initial drops in prices. However, as industries adapted and demand began to recover towards the end of this period, prices stabilized.

Regulatory Changes and Sustainability Concerns: In recent years, growing environmental concerns have led to stricter regulations on sourcing and production. While this has increased production costs for stearic acid manufacturers, demand has remained relatively stable, as industries strive to comply with new sustainability standards.

Technological Advancements: Technological advancements have played a positive role as well. Innovations in production processes have enhanced manufacturing efficiency, allowing producers to lower costs and increase supply. This has met rising demand from various sectors, including cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals, contributing to a more stable price environment.

Shift Towards Alternatives: Lastly, there is a noticeable shift towards alternative products. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, the preference for plant-based or synthetic alternatives has grown. This change has started to dent the demand for traditional stearic acid, potentially putting downward pressure on prices.

Methodology and Specifications

stearic acid Pricing Assessment Research Methodology

Data Collection and Sources

Real-Time Market Data: PriceWatch aggregates real-time pricing data from a diverse range of sources, including global commodity exchanges, industry reports, and proprietary databases. This ensures that our assessments reflect the most current market conditions.

On-the-Ground Intelligence: Our team gathers insights directly from key market participants, including producers, suppliers, traders, and end-users, across major stearic acid production hubs. This ground-level intelligence is crucial for understanding localized market dynamics.

Supply Chain Monitoring: We track the entire stearic acid supply chain, from raw material availability (e.g., naphtha, ethane) to production and distribution channels. This includes monitoring feedstock prices, production capacities, and transportation logistics.

Event Tracking and Impact Analysis

Geopolitical Tensions: Regularly track geopolitical events, such as conflicts and trade disputes, that can disrupt the supply of raw materials for stearic acid production. Assess how these tensions could lead to shortages or price fluctuations in essential inputs like palm oil and fatty acids and evaluate the long-term impacts on pricing due to ongoing instability in key production regions.

Natural Disasters and Climate Events: Analyze the effects of natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods) on stearic acid production facilities, especially in high-risk areas like the U.S. Gulf Coast. Investigate how facility shutdowns or damage from climate events can cause short-term price spikes due to supply interruptions, utilizing historical data to refine models predicting disruptions and pricing volatility.

Economic Shifts: Examine global economic indicators such as GDP growth and inflation rates that influence overall demand for stearic acid across various industries. Analyze the health of specific sectors (e.g., cosmetics, food, automotive) to identify shifts in demand and incorporate economic data into forecasting models to predict price movements, considering cyclical trends and changes in consumer behavior.

Regulatory Changes: Keep track of changes in environmental regulations and trade policies that could impact stearic acid production and pricing, assessing how new regulations may affect production costs and pricing strategies within the industry.

Technological Advancements: Monitor advancements in production technologies that could enhance efficiency or reduce costs in stearic acid manufacturing, evaluating how new technologies could affect the availability of raw materials and overall market dynamics.

Production Capacity and Supply Analysis

Current Production Monitoring: We maintain a comprehensive database of global stearic acid production facilities, tracking their operational status, maintenance schedules, and output levels. This allows us to assess current supply availability accurately.

Future Capacity Projections: Our research includes detailed forecasts of upcoming stearic acid production capacities, factoring in new plant constructions, expansions, and technological advancements. This helps in predicting future supply trends and potential price stabilization.

Demand Forecasting

Sectoral Demand Analysis: PriceWatch provides in-depth analysis of demand trends across key sectors, including packaging, automotive, and construction. We track year-on-year demand growth and project future consumption patterns based on economic indicators and industry developments.

Global Demand Dynamics: Our methodology considers regional demand variations and how they influence global stearic acid pricing. This includes understanding the impact of shifts in manufacturing bases, trade policies, and environmental regulations.

Pricing Model Development

Dynamic Pricing Models: PriceWatch utilizes advanced econometric models to forecast stearic acid prices, incorporating real-time data, historical trends, and projected market conditions. Our models are continuously refined to enhance accuracy and predictive power.

Scenario Analysis: We conduct scenario-based assessments to evaluate potential future market conditions. This includes best-case, worst-case, and most likely scenarios, helping our clients prepare for a range of market outcomes.

Reporting and Client Support

Comprehensive Reports: Our clients receive detailed reports that include current price assessments, future price forecasts, and in-depth analysis of market drivers. These reports are designed to be actionable, providing clear insights and recommendations.

Ongoing Support: PriceWatch offers continuous updates and personalized support to our clients, ensuring they have the most up-to-date information to make informed decisions. Our experts are available to discuss specific market developments and provide tailored advice.

This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable stearic acid pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.

Specifications

Molecular Weight[g/mol]

284.5

CAS No

57-11-4

HS Code

38231100

Molecular Formula

CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH

stearic acid

Packaging Type

Flexi Bag

Grades Covered

Rubber Grade, Tripple Pressed.

Incoterms Used

FOB Klang, FOB Jakarta, CIF Shanghai, CIF JNPT, CIF Busan, CIF Rotterdam, CIF Houston

Synonym

Stearic acid

Quotation Terms:

25-28MT

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.

Stearic acid Rubber Grade Table

Properties	Specifications
Acid Value	195 – 206
Iodine Value.	3 Max.
Titer	57 – 62°C
Moisture	0.5% Max.
FAC Color Scale	6 Max
Saponification Value	193-208
Unsaponifiables	1.0%, Max.

Stearic acid Triple Pressed Table

Parameters (units)	Specifications
Appearance	White beads / flakes
Acid value (mg KOH / g)	205.0 – 211.0
Iodine value (%)	≤ 0.5
Titer (°C)	55.0 – 57.0
Color, Lovibond 5 1/4”	≤ 0.5 R / 5.0 Y
Saponification value (mg KOH / g)	206.0 – 214.0
C-12 : Lauric acid (%)	0 – 1
C-14 : Myristic acid (%)	0 – 2
C-16 : Palmitic acid (%)	45 – 50
C-18 : Stearic acid (%)	45 – 52
C-18: Oleic acid (%)	0 – 1

Applications

Stearic acid is a fatty acid used in cosmetics as an emulsifier, in food as a stabilizer, in pharmaceuticals as a lubricant, in plastics as a processing aid, and in candles for hardness. It’s also explored for biodegradable products.

Disclaimer

Stearic Acid price provided by is a base price and excludes VAT/Taxes, discounts, or offers. The information herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date indicated and is provided solely for the convenience of our customers as a reference for stearic acid. disclaims any warranties or representations regarding the accuracy of results derived from this information. It is the sole responsibility of the user to assess the suitability of the product for their specific application. This document does not constitute an endorsement to use the product in violation of any applicable patent rights.

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Frequently asked questions

What factors influence the pricing of stearic acid? +

The pricing of stearic acid is influenced by several factors, including raw material costs, production processes, and market demand. Fluctuations in the prices of palm oil and tallow, the primary feedstocks, can significantly impact costs. Additionally, changes in environmental regulations and production capacity can affect supply dynamics, ultimately influencing pricing trends in the market.

How does market demand affect stearic acid prices? +

Market demand plays a crucial role in determining stearic acid prices. Increased demand from sectors like cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals can lead to higher prices, especially if supply does not keep pace. Seasonal trends, economic conditions, and emerging applications also contribute to fluctuations in demand, impacting overall pricing strategies for procurement heads.

Are there long-term pricing trends for stearic acid to consider? +

Yes, there are several long-term pricing trends for stearic acid to consider. Historically, prices have been affected by global market shifts, changes in agricultural outputs, and advancements in production technologies. As sustainability becomes more critical, shifts towards bio-based and eco-friendly alternatives may also influence future pricing. Staying informed on these trends can help procurement heads make better purchasing decisions and manage budgets effectively.