ECHEMI Analysis

The Chinese phthalic anhydride market went down in December. Up to December 29, the closing prices for phthalic anhydride produced by o-xylene were RMB 7,000/mt, down RMB 1,450/mt or 17.16% month on month.

• Phthalic Anhydride
• O-xylene
• Naphthalene

2017 was uncommon for the titanium dioxide market. China’s environmental protection supervision influenced the operating rate and also promoted the industry profits. There were full of challenges and opportunities in the titanium dioxide market.

• Titanium Dioxide
• Import
• Export
• Capacity

During December 18-22, 2017, the Chinese propylene glycol (PG) market increased slightly and then was range-bound.

• PG
• PO
• UPR

On the whole, the supply of acetone will support the market when the demand will remain stable. It is predicted that the Chinese acetone market will move marginally next week.

• Acetone
• MMA
• Phenol
• Isopropanol

Traders will operate flexibly. It is predicted that the Chinese cyclohexanone market may inch down next week

• Cyclohexanone
• Benzene
• Fiber

On the whole, the isopropanol supply in East China will be modest. Prices may inch up supported by the high prices of acetone and propylene. In South China, the supply is tight. The market prices will move at highs.

• Isopropanol
• Acetone

From the supply aspect, the overall operating rate was not high on the environmental protection measures and maintenance at the end of the year. The overall operating rate declined to 57% or so. However, the demand for titanium dioxide was thin.

• Titanium Dioxide
• Operating Rate

During December 8-14, the Chinese dimethyl carbonate (DMC) market was stirred up.

• DMC
• PO

During December 8-14, mainstream transaction prices in the Chinese adipic acid market declined.

• Adipic Acid

The Chinese rutile titanium dioxide market inched down this week. It was hard for the titanium dioxide market to move up.

• Titanium Dioxide

During December 8-14, thenegotiation price of Chinese citric acid decreased. As the liquid caustic soda price increased and the sodium salt price was high, the prices of citric acid monohydrate and citric acid anhydrous declined obviously.

• Citric Acid

the acetone market will be firm and high in the short term. If the supply remains stable without pressure, the acetone market may move up further.

• Acetone
• MMA
• Isopropanol
• Phenol

The operating rate in the fiber industry will be stable. The demand for cyclohexanone from the solvent market will be thin. As cyclohexanone producers have no sales pressure and they may raise the offers. It is predicted that the cyclohexanone market...

• Cyclohexanone
• Benzene
• Fiber

As for the demand, the demand for CPL from the PET market will be stable.It is predicted that the CPL market will move marginally next week.

• CPL
• Cyclohexanone
• Benzene

The Chinese concentrated nitric acid market performed well in 2017 and producers’ profits were satisfactory. At the beginning of November, the price hit a five year high. The supply-side reform saw obvious results.

• TDI
• Nitric-Acid
• Aniline
• Profit

As the oil prices increased, the international benzene market continued increasing. The benzene price in Sinopec increased to RMB 7,000/mt, and the transaction price reached RMB 7,200/mt, which supported the Chinese cyclohexanone market.

• Cyclohexanone
• Fiber
• Solvent

The Chinese aniline market turned in 2017. Prices in 2017 were above the prices in 2016, and the profits also boomed. The surging export volume of aniline also supported the better markets in 2017.

• Aniline
• U.S.
• MDI

The goods were mainly held by middlemen and downstream users.Most downstream users were bearish about the market.

• TDI

During January to Octorber, 2017, the Chinese tetrachloroethylene price showed an N-Shape trend.

• Tetrachloroethylene
• R125

The Chinese acetone market increased during December 1-7, 2017.

• Acetone