Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate

Recent Market Dynamics Intelligence on Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA-2Na)

I. Price Trends
1. Domestic Market:
- East China: Mainstream transaction prices range from 12,500 to 13,000 RMB/ton, representing an approximate 2% increase compared to last week. Premium prices have slightly risen due to tight supply.
- South China: Price range is 12,300 to 12,800 RMB/ton. Some traders are reluctant to sell, resulting in a reduction of low-priced supplies.
- North China: Prices remain stable at 12,200 to 12,700 RMB/ton. Market transactions are sluggish, driven primarily by essential downstream procurement.

2. International Market:
- Southeast Asia: CFR prices have risen to USD 1,850–1,900/ton, as regional supply tightens due to reduced Chinese exports.
- Europe and Americas: Prices remain stable at USD 2,100–2,200/ton. There are no significant fluctuations on the demand side, with traders maintaining long-term contract deliveries.

II. Supply-Side Dynamics
1. Domestic Production Capacity:
- Major manufacturers maintain an operating rate of 75%–80%. Some enterprises have reduced production due to environmental inspections, leading to a short-term contraction in supply.
- The deployment of new capacity has been delayed. A 20,000-ton/year unit originally scheduled for commissioning in Q3 has been postponed to Q4, leading to expectations of tight market supply.

2. Import Status:
- August import volumes decreased by 15% month-on-month, primarily because overseas suppliers prioritized their own industrial chain needs, reducing export quotas to China.

III. Demand-Side Dynamics
1. Downstream Industries:
- Daily Chemicals: Demand for detergents and cosmetics remains stable, accounting for 45% of total consumption. Order volumes are flat month-on-month.
- Water Treatment: Demand has increased due to the summer peak in water usage, with its share rising to 30%. Phased shortages have occurred in some regions.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Demand is weak, with the share declining to 15%. Downstream enterprises are cautious in procurement due to the impact of centralized procurement policies.

2. Regional Differences:
- East and South China account for over 60% of demand, supported by industrial concentration and export orders. Demand growth in North and Southwest China has slowed, with year-on-year increases of only 3%–5%.

IV. Costs and Profits
1. Raw Material Prices:
- Ethylenediamine prices have risen to 14,500–15,000 RMB/ton, a 5% month-on-month increase, adding approximately 300 RMB/ton to the cost of Disodium EDTA.
- Ethylene oxide prices remain stable at 6,800–7,000 RMB/ton, having limited impact on costs.

2. Industry Profits:
- Gross profit margins for major manufacturers have compressed to 12%–15%. Some small and medium-sized enterprises have reduced production or switched to other products due to cost pressures.

V. Relevant Policies and Events
1. Environmental Policies:
- Special rectification campaigns for chemical parks have been launched in Jiangsu, Shandong, and other regions. Some enterprises have suspended production for maintenance, exacerbating regional supply tightness.

2. Logistics Impact:
- Typhoons in East China have caused port congestion, delaying the arrival of imported supplies and intensifying short-term supply-demand contradictions.

VI. Analysis and Judgment
1. Short-Term (1–2 Weeks):
- Prices are expected to remain firm, driven by tight supply and rising costs. Prices in East China may break through 13,200 RMB/ton.
- Traders’ reluctance to sell is increasing, while downstream essential restocking is boosting market transaction activity.

2. Medium-Term (1–2 Months):
- With the delay of new capacity deployment to Q4, the supply gap is difficult to fill quickly, and prices may continue to oscillate at high levels.
- Attention should be paid to downstream acceptance of high prices. If demand from daily chemicals and water treatment industries weakens, price increases may narrow.

VII. Forecast
1. Price Range:
- Domestic mainstream prices: 12,800–13,500 RMB/ton (September); 13,000–14,000 RMB/ton (October, if supply remains tight).
- International market: CFR Southeast Asia at USD 1,900–1,950/ton; Europe and Americas market maintaining USD 2,100–2,250/ton.

2. Risk Warnings:
- Significant fluctuations in raw material ethylenediamine prices; further tightening of environmental policies; restoration of export quotas to China by overseas suppliers.