Global Chemical Supply Chain Under Pressure
Recently, the European chemical industry has entered a critical phase. Driven by soaring energy costs, stricter carbon taxes, and rising raw material prices, many large European producers — including Dow, INEOS, and TotalEnergies — have announced the shutdown of major petrochemical and surfactant precursor plants.
According to industry data, over 15 million tons of annual capacity in ethylene, propylene, and related downstream intermediates are now listed for closure or suspension. This directly affects global production of fatty alcohols, alkylbenzene, ethoxylates, and sulfation feedstocks — all key raw materials for surfactants and detergents.
Impact on Surfactant and Intermediate Supply
As a result, international prices for surfactant intermediates (such as Linear Alkylbenzene — LAB, Alcohol Ethoxylates, SLES, and AOS) have shown significant volatility since September 2025. Many European factories are reducing output or moving capacity to Asia and the Middle East.
This global restructuring has caused longer logistics cycles and tighter inventory across the entire surfactant supply chain. In some cases, lead times for bulk materials have extended to four to six weeks.
At BookChem, we maintain stable cooperation with trusted raw material partners in China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, ensuring a reliable supply of:
However, due to current logistics congestion and upstream shutdowns, the average delivery time for new orders is approximately one month.
Our Recommendation: Plan Ahead and Contact Us Early
To help our customers minimize production delays, BookChem recommends:
- Placing orders early — at least 3–4 weeks in advance;
- Confirming key product forecasts (LABSA, SLES 70%, AOS 92%, CDEA, etc.);
- Contacting our supply team for inventory coordination and long-term supply planning.
If you have ongoing or upcoming projects in personal care, household cleaning, or industrial formulation, please get in touch with our sales representatives. Our technical team can also provide alternative formulation guidance to optimize product cost under the current market situation.
Final Note
At BookChem, we are committed to providing science-based, eco-friendly, and stable chemical solutions despite global market fluctuations.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period of supply adjustment.
Please place your orders in advance — current delivery lead time is approximately one month.
