Price Trends

The escalation of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East has driven up international crude oil and PX prices, supporting PTA costs. PTA maintenance in July led to a decrease in supply and inventory, pushing prices higher. However, due to the off-season for downstream demand, there is a lack of momentum to drive prices further. It is expected that PTA prices will fluctuate and consolidate in line with costs in the short term.

• PTA price
• cost support
• geopolitics
• tight supply

This week, the supply of acrylonitrile in the East China region decreased, and buyers were actively restocking, causing prices to rise significantly by 850-800 CNY/ton. The capacity utilization rate of acrylonitrile plants in China slightly decreased to 71.8%, and inventory fell to 39,300 tons. Despite weak demand, cost support and expectations of reduced supply pushed market prices to continue to rise.

• Acrylonitrile prices rise
• supply tightens
• cost support
• weak demand

As of July 24, the prices of polyethylene varieties showed minor fluctuations, with LLDPE rising by 044%, HDPE falling by 023%, and LDPE remaining unchanged High crude oil prices supported costs, but the limited supply increase and the expectation of new plant commissioning put pressure on the market The demand side was significantly affected by the off-season, and the expectation of agricultural film inventory will be a key factor in the future

• Polyethylene prices
• cost support
• off-season demand
• expectations for agricultural film stockpiling

In the second half of July, the Chinese PC market showed a strong upward trend, with prices increasing by 7.84% compared to the beginning of the month. The supply side maintained high operating rates, but the support for PC was not strong; the cost of bisphenol A provided strong support; demand remained in the off-season, and inventory replenishment was cautious. It is expected that the market may consolidate at a high level in the short term.

• PC market conditions
• cost-based support
• increasing supply
• weak demand

This week, the market price of Aniline in China continued to rise, from 11,125 CNY/ton to 11,525 CNY/ton, an increase of 3.6%, and a 59.08% increase compared to the same period last year. The price increase was driven by rising costs and tight supply. It is expected that Aniline will maintain high levels in the short term.

• Aniline market: prices rise
• supply is tight
• costs increase.

As of July 26, the average price of DMF in the Chinese market is 4,420 CNY per ton, with the overall market remaining at a low level Both supply and demand are weak, with ample supply and low demand during the off-season The raw material methanol is relatively weak, providing limited cost support The industry's operating rate is about 446%, indicating a loose supply

• DMF market
• low and stagnant
• weak supply and demand
• limited cost support

July 24, the average price of cyclohexane in the Chinese market was 6166 CNY/ton, with the overall trend being stable but slightly weak. Supply is abundant, while demand is insufficient. Downstream purchasing is cautious, and trading is light. Cost support is relatively weak, and it is expected that the market will maintain a narrow range fluctuation, with the mainstream price fluctuating within the range of 6000-6900 CNY/ton.

• Cyclohexane market: insufficient demand
• narrow trading range
• limited cost support.

This week, gasoline and diesel prices in China have risen significantly, mainly due to the surge in international crude oil prices The risk of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea's Bab-el-Mandeb Strait has pushed up oil prices, while difficulties in OPEC+ production increases and EU sanctions on Russia have also supported oil prices

• International crude oil prices rise
• refinery operating rates decline
• weak demand for gasoline and diesel
• cost-supported prices increase.

On July 23, polyester bottle flake futures and spot prices experienced volatile yet strong gains, closing higher at the end of the trading session The most active contract closed at 7,360 CNY/ton, up 168% On the cost side, PTA and ethylene glycol prices rose in tandem, providing support for the increase in bottle flake prices

• Polyester bottle flakes
• rising costs
• weak demand
• volatile futures

The attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea and the escalating US-Iran standoff have pushed Brent crude oil prices back above $100 per barrel The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the attack on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea have put pressure on the two major crude oil export routes from the Middle East, creating obstacles for approximately 30% of global seaborne crude oil trade Although OPEC+ plans to increase production, the actual impact is expected to be limited

• Geopolitical risks
• crude oil price fluctuations
• supply chain disruptions
• OPEC+ production increase plan

Since July, the PTA market in China has experienced fluctuating increases, with the average price reaching 6,036 CNY per ton Affected by the US-Iran conflict, PX plant maintenance, and PTA plant maintenance, cost support has been strong, leading to a tight supply and rising prices On the demand side, there has been some improvement due to the boost in oil prices, but the textile off-season has led to a divergence in orders

• PTA price
• cost support
• U.S.-Iran conflict
• textile off-season

In July 2026, the natural rubber market experienced fluctuating consolidation, with spot rubber prices falling by 020% compared to the beginning of the month The supply side saw an increase in production during the peak season, which was offset by weather disruptions, while the demand side faced significant pressure from the off-season, leading to a slow inventory depletion

• Natural rubber market
• supply and demand relationship
• inventory situation
• future market forecast

In July 2026, the price of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) in China rose to 13,900 CNY/ton, an increase of 12.47% from the beginning of the month. Sinopec raised the factory price by a cumulative 1,200 CNY/ton, but weak demand limited the upward space. The rise in crude oil and upstream raw material prices supported the cost, while the off-season for tires led to insufficient demand. It is expected that SBR will maintain a high-level fluctuation in the short term.

• Styrene-butadiene rubber
• cost-driven
• price increase
• weak demand

Recently, the Chinese lithium carbonate market has been fluctuating downward, with the price of battery-grade lithium carbonate falling by 118% compared to the beginning of the month Short-term supply constraints and inventory reductions have supported prices, but weak demand and expectations of future supply loosening are limiting the potential for a rebound

• Lithium carbonate market
• fluctuating downward
• supply contraction
• insufficient demand

This week, the price of acrylic acid surged and then stabilized, mainly due to cost pressures rather than a surge in demand Technically, the upward channel has opened, but the momentum has weakened In the short term, there is pressure at the high end, while in the long term, there is support at the bottom The tug-of-war between supply and demand has led to market quotes being stuck at 8,350 CNY/ton

• Cost-driven price increases
• high-level sideways trading
• supply and demand deadlock
• technical analysis

Affected by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, prices of crude oil and related industrial chains have risen sharply, driving up the cost of phthalic anhydride. At the same time, downstream demand is recovering, and rising prices of products such as DOP are also supporting the phthalic anhydride market. It is expected that phthalic anhydride prices will continue to fluctuate and rise in the short term.

• Geopolitical conflicts
• phthalic anhydride market
• rising costs
• demand support

The formic acid market in China has recently experienced a cliff-like decline, with the benchmark price on July 20th at 2,000 CNY per ton, down 13% from July 13th Previously, a balanced supply and demand supported stable prices, but the effects of the off-season have been amplified, leading to weak demand, inventory accumulation, and intensified market competition Some companies have lowered prices to promote sales, and the market has entered a weak operating channel

• Formic acid market
• off-season effect
• price decline
• inventory pressure

In July, the average market price of adipic acid in China increased from 7,816 CNY/ton to 7,933 CNY/ton, a price increase of 149% The supply side saw a reduction in spot availability due to maintenance of multiple plants, but weak demand and the entry of downstream sectors into the off-season limited the room for price increases

• Adipic acid market conditions: tight supply
• weak demand
• technical analysis forecast

July 20, the average price of ammonium sulfate in China was 1,156 CNY per ton, an increase of 2.06% from July 13. This week, market prices stopped falling and rose, driven by a stronger international urea market and improved demand. It is expected that the price of ammonium sulfate will continue to remain strong in the short term.

• Ammonium sulfate prices
• market trends
• supply and demand situation
• future outlook

The escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions has triggered dual supply risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, pushing international crude oil prices to their highest levels in over a month. WTI and Brent crude oil prices rose by 14% and 17% respectively over the week. Market concerns are mounting that global crude oil supply could shrink significantly, and the pattern of high oil prices fluctuating widely is likely to persist.

• US-Iran conflict
• rising crude oil prices
• risks to energy supply routes
• global crude oil supply gap