Chemical Pricing Report

Hafnium metal prices recorded exceptionally high regional levels during Q2 2026, with the USA recording the highest price at USD 6,419,625/MT, followed by the Netherlands at USD 6,331,582/MT, Germany at USD 5,959,478/MT, France at USD 4,723,642/MT, and China at USD 3,534,160/MT. The substantial regional spread reflected differences in raw material availability, import dependency, refining capacity, logistics, and demand from aerospace, nuclear, advanced electronics, and specialty alloy applications. The market maintained a firm pricing structure as limited hafnium availability coincided with steady demand from high-performance industries. Hafnium is commonly recovered alongside zirconium, making upstream separation and refining capacity important to supply. Procurement managers increasingly focused on securing long-term material coverage and managing inventory exposure as supply-chain constraints and competition for available material supported elevated pricing. Regional Hafnium M...

Chromium prices showed significant regional variation during Q2 2026, with Canada recording the highest price at USD 16,764/MT, followed by the USA at USD 14,353/MT, Japan at USD 10,695/MT, Brazil at USD 10,801/MT, and China at USD 8,910/MT. The wide regional spread reflected differences in raw material availability, ferrochrome production economics, energy costs, import dependence, logistics, and downstream stainless-steel demand. The market remained closely connected to ferrochrome and stainless-steel production, which account for the dominant share of chromium consumption. Supply conditions were influenced by chromite availability, smelting capacity, electricity costs, and operating conditions across major producing regions. Procurement managers continued to monitor supply reliability, alloy requirements, and downstream steel production when planning chromium purchases, while regional buyers faced different cost structures depending on their access to domestic or imported materia...

Rice bran oil prices showed significant regional variation during Q2 2026, with the USA recording the highest price at USD 6,142/MT, followed by Germany at USD 2,716/MT , the United Kingdom at USD 2,413/MT , Japan at USD 2,241/MT , and India at USD 2,031/MT . The wide regional spread reflected differences in domestic production, import dependency, processing economics, transportation costs, and downstream consumption patterns. The Q2 market remained influenced by the availability of rice bran, edible-oil processing costs, and broader vegetable-oil market conditions. Demand from food processing, household consumption, frying applications, nutraceutical formulations, and industrial users provided a stable consumption base, while regional supply balances created substantial differences in pricing. Overall, rice bran oil maintained a firm market structure, although procurement conditions varied considerably between producing and import-dependent markets. Regional Rice Bran Oil Prices ...

The Caprolactam Price Index recorded mixed movements across major global markets in August 2026, with prices ranging from USD 1.84/Kg in Northeast Asia to USD 2.02/Kg in North America . North America recorded the highest benchmark at USD 2.02/Kg , accompanied by a 4.7% increase , while Northeast Asia increased 2.2% to USD 1.84/Kg . Europe moved in the opposite direction, declining sharply by 14.3% to USD 1.86/Kg . The divergent regional performance reflected differences in upstream feedstock costs, production availability, downstream nylon demand, inventory levels, and trade conditions. Caprolactam demand remained closely connected to nylon 6 fibers, engineering plastics, industrial yarns, films, automotive components, textiles, and electrical applications , while procurement remained sensitive to changes in benzene and cyclohexanone economics. Regional Caprolactam Prices Outlook – August 2026: Where Are Prices Highest? North America: USD 2.02/Kg ( 4.7% ↑ ) Europe: ...

The Fluorspar Price Index remained firm across major global markets in Q2 2026 , with Canada recording the highest reported price at USD 633/MT , followed by Japan at USD 602/MT and Brazil at USD 589/MT . The United States recorded prices of USD 550/MT , while South Korea registered the lowest level at USD 460/MT . The regional price structure reflected differences in import dependency, production availability, logistics costs, downstream demand, and the quality requirements of acid-grade and metallurgical-grade fluorspar. The market continued to receive structural support from hydrofluoric acid, fluorochemicals, aluminum, steel, refrigeration, and specialty chemical applications . Supply remained influenced by concentrated mining capacity, production conditions, and the availability of suitable grades. Meanwhile, downstream buyers maintained regular procurement requirements, particularly for fluorochemical and metallurgical applications. Regional Fluorspar Prices Outlook – Q2 20...