2024 FEIBP Congress Market Reports
By Alice Castle, Brush Expert Ltd | Photos by Brush Expert Ltd
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
The market for Chinese bristle is evolving as synthetic filaments gain popularity, particularly in paintbrush manufacturing. Reinhold Hoerz highlighted a decline in overall demand for natural bristle, although niche applications continue to maintain steady interest. Bristle is still sought after for use in mixtures and specialized products, including polishing tools for mobile phone screens, dental instruments, jewelry applications and premium hairbrushes.
Quality Control Challenges
Market pressures to reduce prices have led some Chinese suppliers to compromise on quality, making stricter quality control essential. To maintain high standards, each batch of bristle is now meticulously inspected upon arrival. These rigorous measures aim to reduce quality claims and ensure customer satisfaction.
Price and Demand Overview
Black Bristle:
38-44mm: Strong demand from inland China
51-64mm: Strong demand from Europe and the U.S.
64-83mm: Under pressure
102mm and up: Strong demand from Korea, Europe
and Japan
White Bristle:
38-57mm: Demand from inland China
64-89mm: Under pressure
102mm and up: Stable demand
Market Outlook
The production of industrial brushes remains stable, while demand for hair brushes in the beauty sector continues to be robust. Recent interest rate cuts in Europe and China are expected to stimulate the renovation and real estate sectors, boosting demand for renovation tools, including paintbrushes and other related products. This trend offers a positive outlook for the use of bristle in the coming months as markets prepare for renewed growth.
Synthetics | Andrew McIlroy, Perlon
The synthetic filament market continues to be influenced by fluctuating energy prices and shifting global supply dynamics. A 20 percent decline in oil prices over the past 12 months has had a minor influence on polymer costs. Increased shipments of Russian oil to China and India have reduced demand for western refineries. Plus an overall slowdown in global demand has also had an impact.
Electricity prices, which peaked in 2022, have since fallen but remain above pre-COVID levels. Forecasts from the electricity futures market suggest modest reductions in energy costs over the next few years.
Polymer Market Insights
Polypropylene (PP): Supply constraints persist due to the shutdown of several reactors, resulting in a slight price increase since early 2024. However, further price hikes are unlikely in the short term.
Polyethylene (PE): Suppliers aim to improve margins despite ongoing low demand.
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT): Demand remains weak, particularly in the automotive and construction sectors.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): A slight reduction in contract prices was anticipated for September, driven by
subdued demand.
Polyamide 6 (PA6): Prices have been stable throughout 2024, though production volumes have declined globally. Despite a drop in benzene contract pricing, no significant changes are expected in the short term.
Polyamide 66 (PA66): Prices remain steady, with minimal demand, particularly from the automotive industry. The trend of substituting PA66 with PA6 continues.
Polyamide 610 & 612 (PA610 & PA612): Low demand has kept prices stable through 2024.
Vegetable Fibers | Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt
The vegetable fiber sector remains relatively stable, although rising energy costs, inflation and labor challenges continue to shape market dynamics. Here is an overview of the latest developments for key fibers used in the brush industry.
Tampico (Mexico): The outlook for Tampico fiber remains consistent with 2023. While no major disruptions have impacted this year’s harvest, the ongoing shortage of field workers continues to pose challenges. Prices are seeing modest increases, and availability, though somewhat limited, remains manageable. Despite rising energy and wage costs, the situation is still more favorable than during previous shortages.
Bahia Piassava (Brazil): Pricing for Bahia Piassava is gradually increasing, following similar trends as Tampico. Product quality is closely tied to the skill level of the workforce, making it essential to identify reliable suppliers who prioritize worker welfare. Availability has decreased compared to earlier years but remains steady.
Sherbro Piassava (Sierra Leone): Demand for Sherbro Piassava (also known as Bass) remains low, with little market fluctuation. Quality has stayed consistent, with only a minor increase in pricing.
Palmyra (India): Palmyra fiber has maintained stable pricing over the past year, with quality remaining high. Availability is better than for Bahia Piassava, ensuring a more reliable supply.
Coconut Fiber (Sri Lanka): The coconut fiber market has faced upward pressure on prices, driven by high demand and unfavorable weather conditions that have constrained supply. These challenges have also impacted the quality of available material.
Arenga (Indonesia): Prices for Arenga fiber remain stable, with good availability and consistent quality. However, the industry faces common challenges, including inflation, unfavorable exchange rates and rising energy costs, along with broader geopolitical impacts.
Market Summary: Despite rising costs across the board, the quality of vegetable fibers remains stable, with all major materials readily available. However, prices are trending higher, reflecting the broader economic environment. Brush manufacturers will need to remain vigilant in sourcing quality materials while navigating ongoing inflation and labor challenges in the year ahead.
Fine Hair | Mark Samuel, Mark Samuel Trading
The market for natural fine hair continues to face significant shifts, driven largely by the growing adoption of synthetic alternatives. As synthetic options become more prevalent, demand for natural fine hair has declined, contributing to a steady increase in available supply.
One emerging trend is the introduction of biofilaments, plant-based alternatives marketed as environmentally friendly replacements for natural hair. However, these biofilaments still require the use of polyethylene (PE) and chemical tapering, complicating their claim to
full sustainability.
Regulatory changes in China, particularly tighter restrictions on the trade of live animals, have had a substantial impact on the market. While these policies initially caused steep price increases, costs have begun to stabilize. Despite the rise of synthetics, natural fine hair remains indispensable in many niche brush applications.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Alice Castle is the Editorial Director at www.brushexpert.com — the online magazine, directory and networking portal for the global brush industry.
