64th FEIBP Congress: Raw Materials Market Reports

The annual reports on the state of the markets with reference to the following raw materials were shared with the delegation. Each report examined the availability and pricing of the various commodities used widely in brush manufacturing.

Chinese Bristle – Reinhold Hoerz, DKSH

Focusing on the demand side of the equation, Reinhold noted a fall in overall demand due to the rise in the use of synthetic filaments in paintbrushes. However, there is still demand for bristle for use in mixtures, as well as in specialised products such as for polishing mobile phone screens, dental and jewellery, as well as in quality hairbrushes.

In terms of quality, the general reduction of prices has led to some Chinese suppliers being tempted into compromising on quality and, consequently, quality control needs to be more stringent. Each batch is now opened and checked in detail, and with these enforced measures, there is confidence in the keeping of claims to a minimum.

Click link below for full presentation.

FEIBP Congress 2024 Raw Material Report - Bristle

Fine Hair – Mark Samuel, Mark Samuel Trading

The volume of natural fine hair continues to climb in response to the rise of synthetic alternatives leading to a reduction in demand.

Biofilaments based on vegetable that are now being marketed as an alternative to natural hair still require a certain amount of PE and chemical tapering.

With China clamping down on the trading in live animals, there have been huge price rises in recent years, but this is now falling.

Natural hair is still required in many niche brushes with the following information available on availability, quality and pricing:

Goat hair prices are flat on the cheaper qualities but for high end we’re seeing increases mainly because it’s harder to find factories skilled enough to sort the grades.

Pony prices flat on shorter sizes but longer sizes increased.

Badger hair - again quite steady but certain grades like so-called Manchurian, is becoming harder to find as its popularity increases.

Squirrel - prices falling slightly as demand falls and Russia off-loads skins to China

Ox hair prices steady as suppliers have old stock. But future supplies, and this relates to many types of fine hair, will be limited as many factories have now stopped dressing as demand falls.

Click the link below for full presentation:

FEIBP Congress 2024 Raw Material Report - Fine Hair

Synthetics – Andrew McIlroy, Perlon

Oil prices have seen a 20% fall in the last 12 months, and this has had a minor influence on certain polymers.

Electricity prices which peaked in 2022 have seen a sharp fall, although the 2024 average remains significantly higher than pre-COVID levels.

The electricity futures market predicts small reductions over coming years.

PP: The shutdown of several reactors has limited supply. Prices have therefore risen slightly since the start of 2024, but further increases are unlikely in the short term.
PE: Suppliers are looking to improve margins despite continuing lower demand.
PBT: Low demand, especially from automotive and construction industries.
PET: Slight reduction in contract pricing expected in September with low demand.
PA6: Stable pricing throughout 2024 with a reduction in production volume globally. No changes expected in short term despite reduction benzene contract pricing.
PA66: Stable pricing throughout 2024 with very low demand - especially from automotive industry. Partial substitution by PA 6.
PA610 & PA612: Stable pricing throughout 2024 due to low demand.

Click the link below for full presentation:

FEIBP Congress 2024 Raw Material Report - Synthetics

Vegetable Fibres – Dr. Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt

Tampico from Mexico: The situation remains similar to 2023, with no big catastrophes affecting the harvest. Similar problems in terms of availability of field workers. Prices are rising slightly, and the availability isn’t very good, but there have been worse times and material can still be obtained. The problems are the same as everywhere with rising energy costs, rising wage prices etc.

Bahia Piassava from Brazil: Prices are only slowly rising for relatively the same reasons as for Tampico. Quality of product relies heavily on the quality of the workforce, so you need to look a little harder to find a good source and ensure that workers are taken care of. Overall availability isn’t as good as in previous years but remains stable.

Sherbro Piassava (Bass) from Sierra Leone: Not a high demand for this product, and there are hardly any changes to report. Quality is constant with a small rise in pricing.

Palmyra from India: Price over the last 12 months has remained stable, with the quality remaining high. Availability is better than for Bahia.

Coconut fibre from Sri Lanka: This product has seen higher recent prices due to high demand and relatively poor weather conditions which led to a downturn in availability. The quality was also lower.

Arenga from Indonesia: Current prices remain stable with fairly good availability and quality, but faces the same problems as with the rest of the industry, with rising inflation rates, less favourable exchange rates, rising energy costs, the impact of war etc.

In summary, all materials are regularly available and with stability of quality, but usually at a slightly higher price.

Click the link below for full presentation:

FEIBP Congress 2024 Raw Material Report - Vegetable Fibres

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