If you have been watching the news or reading supplier notices over the past few weeks, you have seen plenty about events in the Middle East, disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, and what it may mean for prices and supply. We wanted to write to you directly — to tell you where Guardian stands, what we are seeing on our end, and how we are managing through it.
For a broader look at why a Gulf disruption reaches chemical supply chains far beyond the fuel pump, our Managing Director, JD Roth has written a companion article explaining the oil-to-chemistry chain in plain terms. It is linked at the bottom of this page.
Where we are seeing impact
The pressure is not hitting every product line the same way. Based on what we are seeing from our supplier base, the most exposed categories are petrochemical-derived inputs — particularly products built on glycols, surfactants, and solvents — along with plastic packaging components and freight costs tied to higher fuel prices.
Other product lines remain more stable, and many of our suppliers have not moved on pricing or lead times yet. For most customers, the practical effect over the next several weeks is likely to show up first in packaging availability, quote timing, and selected product costs — not in broad shortages across the portfolio.
What we have done
Ahead of this, and in anticipation of further market movement:
Built inventory on higher-risk inputs. We increased inventory positions on the inputs we identified as most exposed, helping create a buffer against short-term market disruption and giving us more flexibility as conditions evolve.
Secured critical raw materials in advance. On product lines where lead times were beginning to stretch, we secured critical raw materials early to help keep supply steady while the market adjusts.
Together, these steps help support continuity in the near term while we assess conditions carefully and determine the best path forward.
What we are doing now
Close supplier coordination. We are regularly communicating with raw material suppliers to track availability, lead times, forecasting, and pricing as conditions evolve.
Active alternative sourcing. We are working across our supplier network to maintain multiple qualified sources on critical inputs, and we are continuously evaluating new ones.
Formulation expertise. We are using our in-house formulation capability to reduce our reliance on the most exposed raw materials without changing product performance. This is internal work on our side, the products you buy continue to perform to the same specification.
Application optimization support. Our application specialists, engineers, and water quality technologists regularly work with customers on-site to optimize application rates, dosing, and operating procedures. That helps customers get the intended performance from the chemistry while reducing unnecessary use, waste, and overall operating cost.
What this means for our customers
Our commitment to on-site support, responsiveness, and helping customers solve operational challenges remains unchanged.
At the same time, we are working through current market conditions on a product-by-product basis rather than through a broad, one-size-fits-all adjustment.
Where a specific input, package component, or delivery cost has been affected by a confirmed supplier increase, we will communicate any related pricing adjustment directly, with as much notice as possible and tied to the change driving it. Where markets are still moving, we will continue to monitor conditions and communicate only when we can be clear about what has changed and why.
This approach helps keep decisions specific to the products you buy and avoids applying broad changes where they do not belong.
Case study: how one SAGD operation avoided every supply chain crisis for 8+ years
For a broader visual explanation of how market disruption moves through the chemical supply chain, download the infographic here.
What helps on your side
If you have upcoming projects with known chemistry needs — particularly shutdowns, turnarounds, or scheduled capital work — reaching out early gives us more flexibility to plan supply, sourcing, and timing on your behalf.
The most useful thing you can do is keep communication open with your Guardian representative, especially where changes in your operations may affect product usage. If you anticipate a shift in volume, an upcoming bid, or a change in product mix, that conversation is where the best planning happens.
How We Will Continue to Respond
Conditions will continue to evolve. Our approach is to keep monitoring key inputs, communicate clearly about what we know, and make decisions on a product-by-product basis rather than in broad strokes.
If you have questions about how current market conditions may affect a specific product line, project, or ongoing order pattern, your Guardian representative can help you work through the best next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Because not every raw material, packaging component, or precursor is produced in North America. Even when products are blended or supplied within North America, upstream ingredients, plastic packaging, freight, and replacement supply can still be affected by global market conditions.
No. The pressure is not hitting every product line equally. Based on what we are seeing, the most exposed areas are petrochemical-derived inputs, certain plastic packaging components, and freight costs tied to higher fuel prices.
The most exposed categories are products built on petrochemical-derived inputs such as glycols, surfactants, and solvents, along with plastic packaging components and freight-sensitive product lines.
We built inventory positions on the inputs we identified as most exposed, secured critical raw materials in advance where lead times were starting to stretch, and created more short-term flexibility while we assess how conditions continue to develop.
We are staying in close contact with suppliers, tracking availability and pricing, maintaining multiple qualified sources for critical inputs, evaluating new options where appropriate, and using our formulation expertise to reduce reliance on the most exposed materials without changing product performance.
It may on selected products. We are working through impacts on a product-by-product basis rather than through a broad one-size-fits-all adjustment. Where a confirmed supplier increase affects a specific input, package component, or delivery cost, we will communicate any related pricing adjustment directly and as clearly as possible.
They can be, depending on the product, package format, or delivery profile. If freight-related pressure materially affects delivered cost on a specific product line, we will communicate that clearly.
Our commitment to on-site support, responsiveness, and helping customers solve operational challenges remains unchanged. Our teams are still available to help customers optimize performance, application, dosing, and overall operating cost.
The most useful step is early communication. If you have upcoming projects, expected changes in volume, an upcoming bid, or a shift in product mix, reaching out early gives us more flexibility to plan supply, sourcing, and timing on your behalf.
Your Guardian representative. If current market conditions may affect a specific product line, project, or ongoing order pattern, that conversation is where the most useful planning happens.
Further Reading
Why an Oil Shock Reaches Chemical Supply Far Beyond the Fuel Pump — by John David Roth, Managing Director, Guardian Chemicals.
