Recent Market Intelligence Report on Polyether Defoamers

I. Market Price Dynamics

1. Quotations in Henan Province:
- Henan Huiyi Hai Water Treatment Materials Co., Ltd.: Polyether defoamer (99% purity) priced at RMB 14,500 per ton.
- Henan Zhengyuan Water Treatment Materials Co., Ltd.: Polyether defoamer (99% purity) priced at RMB 14,500 per ton.
- Henan Shunzhibang Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.: Polyether defoamer (80% purity) priced at RMB 7,300 per ton; the price for its 99% purity variant was not explicitly listed, but its organosilicon-polyether defoamer (99% purity) was quoted at RMB 4,000 per ton on the same day—highlighting significant price differentiation across product types.
- Henan Kaijie Water Treatment Co., Ltd.: High-end polyether defoamer (purity unspecified) priced at RMB 22,000 per ton.
- Gongyi Hengyi Water Treatment Co., Ltd.: Polyether defoamer (99% purity) priced at RMB 15,000 per ton; the 70% purity variant priced at RMB 9,500 per ton.

2. Price Trend Analysis:
- The recent average market price for polyether defoamers has remained stable within the range of RMB 13,500–15,000 per ton. Premium-grade products have exceeded RMB 15,000 per ton, reflecting intensifying market segmentation.
- Compared to the July 2024 price level in Henan Province (RMB 9,000 per ton), current prices have increased by 61.1%, primarily driven by rising raw material costs and tightening environmental regulations.

II. Supply-Demand Analysis

1. Supply Situation:
- Globally, the top five manufacturers (CR5) account for over 60% of the polyether ester defoamer market. Domestic Chinese enterprises are gaining market share through technological upgrades.
- The domestic polyether defoamer market is predominantly dominated by local players, with enterprises based in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces holding substantial market shares.
- In recent years, stricter environmental enforcement has led to the exit of numerous small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) failing to meet environmental compliance standards, resulting in higher industry concentration.

2. Demand Situation:
- Demand for polyether defoamers continues to grow steadily across multiple sectors—including petrochemicals, coatings, papermaking, textiles, and food processing.
- Demand from the machinery manufacturing sector has risen to account for 35% of total demand, with annual growth of 8% in applications such as cutting fluids and quenching fluids; demand from food processing and electronic cleaning segments maintains an annual growth rate exceeding 6%.
- Export performance remains robust: China’s polyether ester defoamer exports increased by 12% year-on-year in 2025, with primary destinations including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

III. Key Influencing Factors

1. Raw Material Costs:
- Propylene oxide (PO), which accounts for 50–60% of polyether defoamer production cost, exerts a direct impact on final pricing.
- In February 2026, a U.S. cold snap triggered widespread plant shutdowns, causing domestic PO prices to surge by 10% month-on-month—directly elevating defoamer production costs.

2. Environmental Regulations:
- Regulatory frameworks such as the EU REACH regulation and China’s “Dual Carbon” (carbon peak & carbon neutrality) policy are accelerating the phase-out of outdated production capacity, tightening supply and supporting price levels.
- Growing demand for eco-friendly products is prompting enterprises to accelerate R&D and commercialization of environmentally compliant formulations.

3. Technological Innovation:
- Companies are enhancing product performance through innovation—for instance, developing low-dosage, highly efficient anti-foaming agents with superior resistance to high temperature and high pressure.
- Emerging technologies—including nanotechnology and bio-based feedstocks—are opening new growth avenues for the polyether defoamer market.

IV. Analysis, Outlook, and Forecast

1. Short-Term Outlook:
- Supported by sustained raw material costs, polyether defoamer prices are expected to remain stable within RMB 14,000–15,000 per ton in the near term, with volatility narrowing to ±3%.
- Continued growth in demand for premium products will exert upward pressure on the overall market average price.

2. Long-Term Outlook:
- With the ramp-up of newly commissioned production capacity, prices may moderate to RMB 12,000–13,000 per ton during 2027–2028; however, a persistent price premium for environmentally sustainable products is anticipated.
- Nanotechnology and bio-based raw materials will drive market expansion: nanotechnology penetration is projected to exceed 15% by 2027, while bio-based polyether defoamers are expected to capture a 10% share of the market by 2028.
- The industry’s total output volume is forecast to surpass 250,000 tons by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.5%.