Linear alkylbenzene: Trading
Annual formulas linked to benzene and kerosene
What this tab covers How it is bought and sold: buyers and sellers, price benchmarks and who publishes them, exchanges, contract types, traders, how Indian buyers price it, recent price points, and good sources to follow.Who buys, and where
- Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran), South-East Asia (Indonesia, Thailand), China, Europe
Who sells, and from where
- Detergent makers in India, South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America (HUL, P&G, Nirma, Jyothy, Wipro and many regional sulphonators)
Price benchmarks
| Benchmark | Publisher | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LAB CFR India; LAB FOB Middle East | ICIS; Argus | spot and contract, weekly |
Exchanges
| Venue | Contract | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None | no futures | contract and spot |
Contract types
- Annual contracts with formula linked to benzene and kerosene
- Spot cargoes by chemical tanker
Traders and distributors
- Japanese and international chemical traders (indicative)
How Indian buyers price it
- Domestic producers set monthly prices near import parity CFR India plus duties
- Anti-dumping duties on Iran and Qatar (2025-2030)
- LAB Quality Control Order 2022 (suspended 1 April-1 July 2026)
Recent price points
| Date | Price | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | $1,704/t | India | Procurement Resource |
| Aug 2026 | $1,257/t | FOB China | Procurement Resource |
| Aug 2026 | $1,611/t | Germany | Procurement Resource |
Good sources to follow
Chemical Weekpaid newsletter · S&P GlobalLAB and surfactant market analysis
Procurement Resource LAB price trendsfreemium research site · Procurement Resourcemonthly LAB prices by region
Chemical Weeklyfreemium newsletter · Sevak PublicationsIndian chemical prices including LAB