Price Trends

This week, the market price of pure benzene in China increased by 233%, from 6002 CNY/ton to 6142 CNY/ton.

• Pure benzene price
• market analysis
• crude oil futures
• downstream demand

In early August, the palm oil market in China showed mixed trends, mainly fluctuating. The reduction of 19.32% in Malaysian palm oil yield, coupled with increased exports and a positive external market, bolstered the futures market in China. However, terminal demand remained weak, leading to a lack of momentum in the spot market prices. It is expected that the palm oil market will continue to fluctuate around mid-August.

• Palm oil market situation
• bullish and bearish competition
• volatile trading
• Malaysian palm oil production cut

In July, the bunker fuel market in East China experienced a fluctuating downward trend, with the average price of 180CST fuel oil falling by 2.3% to 5,312.50 CNY/ton. The international crude oil market saw fluctuating increases, and Singapore's fuel oil inventory reached a three-week high. It is expected that in August, the Chinese bunker fuel market will maintain a weak consolidation, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment.

• Marine fuel market
• fuel oil prices
• international crude oil trends
• Singapore fuel oil inventories

In July, the asphalt market price in Shandong, China, rose by 1.54%, supported by an increase in crude oil prices, which led to higher production costs. The supply was relatively sufficient, but demand was relatively weak due to weather impacts. Overall, both supply and demand were weak, with low inventory levels and no significant inventory accumulation. The market faced little short-term pressure but lacked upward momentum.

• Shandong asphalt market
• crude oil prices rise
• weak supply and demand
• cost support

In July, the market price of epichlorohydrin continued to rise, with the benchmark price reaching 11,400 CNY/ton, an increase of 1633% from the beginning of the month The prices of raw materials, glycerol and propylene, remained high and stable, with slightly tight supply Strong demand for downstream epoxy resins supported the prices

• Epichlorohydrin
• market price
• cost pressure
• supply-demand relationship

In July, the ABS market in China weakened, with the average price falling to 10,31250 CNY/ton The overall supply was loose, with production load stable at around 66%-67%, and inventories remained high In terms of costs, the prices of the three upstream raw materials were weak, providing insufficient support Demand was in the off-season, and end-user companies were cautious in their purchases

• ABS market
• supply is ample
• cost support is weak
• demand is in the off-season

July styrene market prices fluctuated and fell, with the average price at the beginning of the month at 8,036 CNY/ton and dropping to 7,694 CNY/ton by the end of the month, a price decrease of 4.26%. The market was mainly influenced by fundamentals; the industry's operating rate was high, but downstream demand was weak, and port inventory was high, leading to a lack of momentum for price increases.

• Styrene market
• price decline
• fundamentals dominate
• high inventory

From July 28 to August 4, 2025, the price of toluene increased by 164%, rising from 54,900 CNY/ton to 55,800 CNY/ton Tight supply was the main factor, particularly in Shandong region where maintenance and reduced production led to decreased availability, resulting in fewer cargoes arriving at ports in East China and South China Sinopec's regional quotations remained stable between 5,500-5,800 CNY/ton

• Toluene market
• supply tightening
• price increase
• impact on cost aspect

In early August, the hydrogen peroxide market weakened, with the average market price falling from 696 CNY/ton to 690 CNY/ton, a decrease of 0.96%. The decline in terminal demand and manufacturers' maintenance led to a relief in supply pressure, but the market still showed weakness amid the tug-of-war between bulls and bears. It is expected that demand will remain weak in mid-August, and the market will further weaken in the future.

• hydrogen peroxide market
• price decline
• demand decrease
• supply pressure

This week, the caustic soda price remained stable, with the market average price at 861 CNY/ton, a year-on-year increase of 6.69%. In Shandong and Jiangsu regions, the prices for 32% ion-membrane caustic soda were 790-870 CNY/ton and 870-930 CNY/ton, respectively; in Inner Mongolia, the prices were 2700-2800 CNY/ton (converted to 100%). Market transactions were moderate, and downstream demand was stable. It is expected that prices will remain in a consolidation phase later on.

• Caustic soda price
• market conditions
• chemical industry index
• downstream demand

In July, weak demand in the hydrofluoric acid market led to a price decline of 2.99%, reaching 10,800 CNY/ton. Fluorspar prices decreased by 1.38% to 3,137.50 CNY/ton due to tight raw material supply and increased environmental regulations affecting production. Downstream refrigerant demand remained sluggish, and it is expected that anhydrous hydrogen fluoride prices will continue to fall by approximately 200 CNY/ton in August.

• hydrofluoric acid market
• fluorspar price
• downstream demand
• market price forecast

Recent lithium carbonate prices first increased and then decreased, with battery-grade and industrial-grade lithium carbonate falling by 275% and 306%, respectively, from their recent highs Expectations of reduced production at the mining end temporarily pushed up prices, but due to limited market demand and reduced actual transactions, market sentiment turned cautious

• Lithium carbonate price
• supply-demand changes
• market sentiment
• oversupply

In July, China's maleic anhydride market continued its downward trend, with prices decreasing by 601% during the month Supply was ample while downstream demand remained weak Unsaturated resins were in a slow consumption season, resulting in generally sluggish market shipments Although upstream benzene and n-butane prices increased somewhat, their impact on supporting maleic anhydride costs was limited

• Maleic anhydride market: prices declining
• ample supply
• weak demand for unsaturated resins

In July, the BDO market in China saw a decline, with prices falling from 8,735 CNY/ton to 8,400 CNY/ton, a price decrease of 3.84%. The supply increased while demand decreased, intensifying the supply-demand contradiction. The impact on the cost side was mixed, and overall, the demand side saw a decline in operations. The downstream industries were severely pressuring prices, and it is expected that the market will continue to weaken.

• BDO market conditions
• supply-demand imbalance
• cost-related impacts
• downstream demand contraction

In July, the Chinese ethanol market showed a one-sided upward trend, with the average price increasing from 5,655 CNY/ton to 5,677 CNY/ton, a price increase of 0.38%. At the beginning of the month, cost support was high, but subsequently, both cost and demand support weakened, leading to stable market prices but limited transactions. It is expected that in the short term, the ethanol market will mainly be in a wait-and-see consolidation phase.

• Ethanol Market
• Cost Support
• Supply and Demand Situation
• Future Market Forecast

As of August 5, 2025, the price of n-butanol in Shandong, China, has fallen to 5,900 CNY/ton, a decrease of 76 CNY/ton from August 1, representing a price decrease of 1.28%. The market supply is sufficient, but demand is weak, and downstream purchases are cautious. In the short term, it is expected that the n-butanol market will maintain a weak consolidation trend.

• Normal butanol market
• price reduction
• relaxed supply and demand
• cautious demand

The Chinese acrylic acid market continues to weaken, with prices generally falling in all regions. Transaction prices in North China, East China, and South China have decreased by 100 yuan, 50 yuan, and 50 CNY per ton, respectively. Although the price of propylene, the raw material, is expected to rebound slightly, the overall supply is sufficient, and downstream demand is weak. Market sentiment is bearish, and acrylic acid prices may remain weak in the short term.

• Acrylic price
• supply-demand contradiction
• weak market conditions
• cost-profit margin

In July, the price of ethyl acetate in China fluctuated weakly, with the average price decreasing from 5450.00 CNY/ton to 5433.33 CNY/ton, a price decrease of 0.31%. The main reasons include weak raw material prices, negative cost factors, and limited downstream demand. At the end of the month, prices increased slightly, but it is expected to stabilize in the future. Attention should be paid to changes in supplier facilities and downstream follow-up situations.

• Acetic acid ethyl ester price
• Market trend
• Cost impact
• Downstream demand

In July 2025, the market price of toluene fell from 5,820 CNY/ton to 5,490 CNY/ton, a price decrease of 5.67%. In the early part of the month, supply was tight, and prices rose; in the middle and late part of the month, weak demand and low inventory led to a decline in prices. Fluctuations in crude oil prices affected market sentiment, resulting in an overall weak trend.

• toluene market
• price decline
• supply and demand relationship
• impact of crude oil prices

This week, the butadiene market in China experienced a fluctuating decline, with prices falling from 9,466.67 CNY/ton to 9,050 CNY/ton, a price decrease of 4.4%. Supply was ample, but demand was mainly driven by rigid needs, lacking substantial positive support. The cost side was affected by the decline in crude oil prices, and on the supply side, Sinopec and some enterprises lowered their quotations. It is predicted that the butadiene market will continue to operate weakly in the short term.

• Butadiene market
• prices fall
• weak supply and demand
• crude oil futures close lower