Triethanolamine

Recent Market Dynamics Intelligence
1. Price Trends
- The market price of triethanolamine in China has recently shown a narrow fluctuation trend. The mainstream quoted price for industrial-grade triethanolamine in the East China region is 12,000 - 13,000 yuan/ton, with some high-end products priced slightly higher; prices in the South China region are similar to those in East China, ranging from 11,800 - 12,800 yuan/ton; prices in the North China region are slightly lower, at approximately 11,500 - 12,500 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last month, the overall price fluctuation range is within ±3%.
2. Supply Situation
- The operating rate of domestic triethanolamine production enterprises remains relatively stable, maintained at around 75% - 80%. Some large enterprises' production facilities are operating normally and can deliver orders on time. However, some enterprises have seen a decrease in output due to recent equipment maintenance, but this has not significantly impacted the overall market supply.
- In terms of imports, the import volume of triethanolamine remains relatively stable, mainly from Southeast Asia. Recent import shipments have arrived at ports normally, supplementing part of the domestic market demand.
3. Demand Situation
- Downstream industry demand shows differentiation. In the cement additive sector, with the continuous advancement of infrastructure projects, there is some support for triethanolamine demand, but the growth rate is relatively slow. Some cement enterprises indicated that their current procurement volume remains basically stable, with on-demand procurement as the main approach.
- In the cosmetics and personal care industry, where triethanolamine is an important raw material, demand is influenced by seasonal factors. Recently entering a consumption off-season, some cosmetics companies have seen a decrease in orders, leading to a decline in triethanolamine procurement volume.
- In the metalworking fluid sector, demand is relatively stable, with enterprises maintaining normal production and no significant changes in triethanolamine procurement.
4. Cost Aspects
- The price of ethylene oxide, the main raw material for triethanolamine, has been relatively stable recently, at around 7,000 - 7,200 yuan/ton. The stability of raw material prices provides significant cost support for triethanolamine, resulting in relatively low cost pressure for production enterprises.
5. Market Sentiment
- Traders and production enterprises are in a relatively cautious mindset. Due to the lukewarm market demand and small price fluctuations, traders mainly adopt a quick-in, quick-out strategy to avoid inventory buildup. Production enterprises focus on raw material price trends and downstream demand changes, adjusting production plans according to market conditions.

Analysis and Judgment
1. Causes of Price Fluctuations: The recent narrow fluctuation in triethanolamine prices is mainly influenced by supply and demand relationships. The supply side is overall stable, with limited impact from some enterprises' maintenance; the demand side shows differentiation, with varying demand increases and decreases across different industries, resulting in slow overall demand growth, which leads to a lack of motivation for significant price increases or decreases.
2. Cost Impact: The stable price of the raw material ethylene oxide provides certain cost support for triethanolamine prices, making it difficult for prices to drop significantly.
3. Role of Market Sentiment: The cautious mindset of traders and production enterprises also results in low market trading activity, causing prices to fluctuate within a relatively narrow range.

Forecast
1. Short-term (1 - 2 weeks): It is expected that triethanolamine market prices will continue to maintain a narrow fluctuation trend, with a price fluctuation range within ±2%. Market demand is unlikely to show significant improvement, and the supply side will remain stable, lacking the basis for significant price changes.
2. Medium-term (1 - 2 months): If downstream infrastructure project progress accelerates, increasing demand for triethanolamine in the cement additive sector, prices may rise slightly, with an expected increase of 3% - 5%. However, if demand in the cosmetics and personal care industry remains sluggish, the momentum for price increases will be suppressed.
3. Long-term (3 - 6 months): Attention needs to be paid to the price trends of the raw material ethylene oxide and changes in the macroeconomic environment. If raw material prices rise or the macroeconomic environment improves, driving growth in downstream industry demand, triethanolamine prices are expected to gradually increase; otherwise, prices may remain weakly organized or continue to fluctuate within a narrow range.