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China, the United States, and Germany are the leading exporters of Ethanolamine (CAS 141-43-5), collectively accounting for over 50% of global exports in recent years; major importers include India, South Korea, and Mexico, reflecting strong demand from agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and surfactant manufacturing sectors. Imports by India and South Korea have risen steadily since 2022, coinciding with moderate upward pressure on Ethanolamine prices amid tightening supply chains and regional production constraints.
Ethanolamine Market Dynamics Intelligence (July 29, 2026)
I. Price Trends
1. Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- East China Region: Bulk ex-factory price ranges from RMB 7,600–7,800/ton, up approximately 10–12% month-on-month, primarily driven by concentrated downstream restocking leading to tight supply.
- South China Region: Quoted price ranges from RMB 7,500–8,000/ton; imported original-packaged products (e.g., from select suppliers) reach as high as RMB 9,500/ton, indicating significant regional price differentials.
- Shandong Region: Price range spans RMB 6,500–8,500/ton, with a spread exceeding RMB 2,000/ton among brands—including Dow, BASF Yangzi, and Sinopec Sierbang—reflecting brand premium and logistics cost impacts.
- Lowest Price: Zibo Lishuo Chemical Trading Co., Ltd. (Shandong) quotes RMB 6,300/ton for 99% purity MEA.
- Highest Price: Nanjing Baitu Chemical Co., Ltd. quotes RMB 10,500/ton for premium-grade BASF Yangzi MEA.
2. Diethanolamine (DEA)
- East China Region: Mainstream quotation ranges from RMB 7,500–8,500/ton; Sinopec Sierbang (Jiangsu) supplies are relatively tight, resulting in elevated pricing.
- South China Region: Imported products (e.g., quoted by Shanghai Guoke E-commerce) at RMB 7,800/ton; domestic products (e.g., Hubei Qiba Jiu Chemical) at RMB 7,000/ton.
- Shandong Region: Pronounced price divergence—BASF-branded DEA priced at RMB 6,900–8,500/ton, while domestic suppliers such as Shandong Zhihengda quote as low as RMB 6,000/ton.
3. Triethanolamine (TEA)
- East China Region: Quoted at RMB 7,000–7,100/ton, up ~5% month-on-month; demand remains stable but supply is relatively constrained.
- Central China Region: Quoted at RMB 6,900–7,000/ton; the price gap versus East China has narrowed.
4. Dimethylethanolamine (DMEA)
- National Average Price: RMB 15,150/ton (data for July 1–3, 2026); prices have remained stable recently, though premium-grade products—e.g., Nanjing Runsheng Petrochemical’s offering at RMB 16,000/ton—reflect mounting raw material cost pressure.
II. Market Drivers
1. Supply-Side Factors
- Domestic Capacity Expansion: Total national capacity reached 900,000 tons in 2023, with new facilities commissioned by Hengli, Satellite Chemical, and Wanhua Chemical. However, uneven regional distribution continues to cause localized supply tightness—particularly in East and South China.
- Declining Import Dependency: Import volumes declined in 2024, as supplies from Saudi Arabia and India redirected to alternative markets; nevertheless, high-end products—such as imported original-packaged MEA—remain reliant on imports.
- Export Growth: Estimated 2024 export volume stands at 80,000 tons, with Brazil and India as primary destinations. Ongoing anti-dumping investigations have yet to significantly impact export volumes.
2. Demand-Side Factors
- Downstream Sector Recovery:
Surfactants: Rising demand for cocamide DEA drives MEA consumption.
Cement Grinding Aids: Infrastructure investment recovery boosts TEA demand.
Agrochemicals & Pharmaceuticals: Stable DEA demand from glyphosate production.
Regional Demand Variation: Manufacturing-intensive regions (East & South China) exhibit robust demand, whereas Central and North China remain predominantly driven by baseline requirements.
3. Cost & Profitability
- Raw Material Volatility: Prices of ethylene oxide and liquid ammonia—key feedstocks—are influenced by international oil prices; however, recent cost pass-through has been delayed, compressing ethanolamine profit margins.
- Regional Profit Divergence: Thin or marginal profits prevail in Shandong due to aggressive price competition, while East and South China maintain profitability through premium product sales.
III. Analysis & Outlook
1. Short-Term (1–2 Months)
- Prices expected to trade in a high-range consolidation: Supply tightness and demand recovery provide support, though elevated prices may dampen downstream procurement appetite. MEA prices in East China are projected to fluctuate between RMB 7,500–8,000/ton.
- Widening regional price spreads anticipated: Low-cost Shandong supplies may flow into neighboring provinces; meanwhile, import-driven pricing in East and South China will remain sensitive to global market dynamics.
2. Medium-Term (3–6 Months)
- Gradual supply relief: Ramp-up of newly commissioned capacities is expected to ease supply constraints; however, environmental compliance policies may constrain operating rates at smaller-scale plants.
- Intensifying export competition: If the Brazilian anti-dumping investigation results in definitive duties, it could trigger follow-on actions in other jurisdictions, moderating export growth momentum.
3. Long-Term (1+ Year)
- Accelerated industry consolidation: Amid overcapacity, leading enterprises are likely to pursue mergers and acquisitions to expand market share and elevate industry concentration.
- Green transition pressures: Carbon reduction policies are driving upgrades in ethanolamine production technologies; energy-efficient, low-emission processes are becoming critical competitive differentiators.
IV. Forecast & Recommendations
1. Price Forecasts
- MEA: Average Q3 2026 price forecast at RMB 7,600–7,800/ton; seasonal demand softening may push Q4 average down to RMB 7,400–7,600/ton.
- DEA: Supported by cement sector demand, prices are expected to trend modestly upward; full-year average forecast at RMB 7,500–8,000/ton.
- TEA: Strong inelastic demand limits volatility; price expected to remain stable within RMB 7,000–7,200/ton.
2. Risk Alerts
- Sharp raw material price surge: Disruption in ethylene oxide supply or substantial increases in international oil prices could materially escalate production costs.
- Trade policy shifts: Higher-than-expected anti-dumping duties imposed by Brazil may trigger cascading trade measures elsewhere.
- Downstream demand contraction: Slowing real estate and infrastructure investment could weaken demand for cement grinding aids and related derivatives.
3. Strategic Recommendations
- Downstream Users: Prioritize just-in-time procurement; consider long-term supply agreements to secure favorable pricing; leverage regional price arbitrage opportunities to optimize sourcing.
- Traders: Exercise caution on inventory accumulation to avoid exposure to downside price risk; diversify geographically by expanding export channels to mitigate regional concentration risk.
- Producers: Increase R&D investment to reduce per-unit energy consumption; pursue strategic M&A to scale operations and enhance pricing power.
Ethanolamine (CAS 141-43-5) is a colorless, viscous liquid with a mild ammonia-like odor and moderate volatility; it is miscible with water and most organic solvents, with a boiling point of approximately 170 °C at atmospheric pressure. It is classified as a primary alkanolamine and serves as a key organic chemical intermediate. Its principal industrial applications include the production of surfactants (e.g., ethanolamine salts of fatty acids), chelating agents (such as EDTA derivatives), corrosion inhibitors, and gas treatment agents for CO₂ and H₂S removal. Ethanolamine is widely used in the manufacture of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, textile auxiliaries, and epoxy curing agents for coatings and adhesives.
Ethanolamine is used as an absorption agent to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and other gases, as a softening agent for hides, and as a dispersing agent for agricultural chemicals. Ethanolamine is also used in polishes, hair waving solutions, emulsifiers, and in the synthesis of surface-active agents (Beyer et al 1983; Mullins 1978; Windholz 1983). Ethanolamine is permitted in articles intended for use in the production, processing, or packaging of food (CFR 1981).Ethanolamine undergoes reactions characteristic of primary amines and of alcohols. Two industrially important reactions of ethanolamine involve reaction with carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide to yield water soluble salts, and reaction with long chain fatty acids to form neutral ethanolamine soaps (Mullins 1978). Substituted ethanolamine compounds, such as soaps, are used extensively as emulsifiers, thickeners, wetting agents, and detergents in cosmetic formulations (including skin cleaners, creams, and lotions) (Beyer et al 1983).
Monoethanolamine is a clear, colorless or pale yellow-colored, moderately viscous liquid with a mild, ammoniacal odor. Ethanolamines can be detected by odor as low as 2-3 ppm.
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals. See more about what is Ethanolamine and Ethanolamine SDS information.
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