Benzoic acid

Market Intelligence Report on Monoethanolamine Benzoate (MEAB) – Recent Commercial Dynamics

I. Price Dynamics
1. Recent Quotations:
- From May 18 to May 20, 2026, no centralized price updates were observed in the monoethanolamine benzoate market. However, based on the latest quotations from suppliers, significant price variation exists among Hubei-based vendors:
- Hubei Shishun Bio-Technology Co., Ltd.: RMB 25/kg (packaged in 25-kg drums);
- Hubei Baidu Chemical Co., Ltd.: RMB 100/kg (high-purity grade);
- Hubei Yinjie Chemical Co., Ltd.: RMB 80/kg (technical-grade active pharmaceutical ingredient);
- On April 18, 2026, Hubei Jusheng Technology Co., Ltd. provided a reference benchmark price but did not specify an exact figure—only indicating “recommended selling price: RMB 1/kg” (likely a placeholder or indicative of a special-specification product).

2. Historical Price Range:
- Supplier quotations in April 2026 ranged from RMB 2/kg (for extremely low minimum order quantities) to RMB 100/kg, reflecting pronounced price stratification—potentially attributable to differences in purity, packaging specifications, and supplier positioning.

II. Supply-Demand Overview
1. Supply Situation:
- Domestic suppliers are concentrated in Hubei Province, including Hubei Jusheng Technology, Hubei Shishun Bio-Technology, and Hubei Baidu Chemical. Production capacity is relatively regionally concentrated.
- No announcements regarding large-scale capacity expansion or scheduled plant maintenance have been issued; overall supply remains stable.

2. Demand Situation:
- Monoethanolamine benzoate is primarily used in metal rust inhibition, surfactants, and metal cutting coolants—its demand closely correlates with manufacturing sector health.
- Recently, downstream industries—including metal processing and general chemicals—have reported no major demand fluctuations; demand remains steady.

III. Upstream Raw Material Impact
1. Benzoic Acid Market:
- The global benzoic acid active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) market was valued at USD 94.5 million in 2025, with China’s share at USD 26.8 million. It is projected to reach USD 555.9 million globally by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.81%.
- This rapid growth in the API segment may exert upward pressure on benzoic acid raw material costs; however, such cost increases have not yet been directly transmitted to monoethanolamine benzoate pricing.

2. Monoethanolamine (MEA) Market:
- As of May 25, 2026, domestic monoethanolamine prices are influenced by supply-demand dynamics and fluctuations in upstream feedstocks—namely ethylene oxide and liquid ammonia. Nevertheless, as a derivative product, monoethanolamine benzoate exhibits only weak price correlation with monoethanolamine.

IV. Analysis and Assessment
1. Price Trend Outlook:
- Current quotations are highly fragmented, with high-purity products (e.g., ≥99%) commanding significantly higher prices than standard-grade materials—indicating strong market segmentation driven by quality differentiation.
- In the short term, absent sharp upstream cost surges or substantial downstream demand spikes, monoethanolamine benzoate prices are expected to remain range-bound. High-purity grades may sustain elevated pricing due to relative supply scarcity.

2. Supply-Demand Structure:
- Supply is regionally concentrated in Hubei Province, ensuring local stability—but comprehensive national capacity distribution data is lacking, warranting vigilance against localized supply tightness.
- Demand is cyclical and tied to manufacturing activity; seasonal upticks in downstream sectors (e.g., metal fabrication) could drive incremental demand growth.

3. Industry Risks:
- The robust growth trajectory of the benzoic acid API market may translate into future cost pressures; close monitoring of upstream price pass-through is advised.
- Stricter environmental regulations may raise production costs, although no direct market impact has yet materialized.

V. Forecast
1. Price Forecast:
- Over the next month, monoethanolamine benzoate prices are anticipated to remain within current ranges: upper bound of RMB 100/kg for high-purity grades and lower bound of RMB 20/kg for standard grades.
- Should benzoic acid API raw material costs rise substantially, upward price adjustments for monoethanolamine benzoate may occur in the second half of 2026.

2. Supply-Demand Forecast:
- Supply side: Hubei-based production capacity is expected to remain stable; no significant changes in nationwide total capacity are anticipated.
- Demand side: A rebound in manufacturing sector activity could lift demand by 5–10%, though macroeconomic indicators must be monitored for validation.

3. Industry Development Trends:
- High-purity, application-specific products (e.g., metal rust inhibition grade) will become focal points of competitive differentiation; suppliers should prioritize technological upgrades to enhance product value-addedness.
- Environmentally sustainable production processes—including low-emission technologies and resource recycling—may emerge as new industry benchmarks, facilitating long-term cost structure optimization.