Price Trends

After the Spring Festival, the dichloromethane market in Shandong experienced a sharp price drop followed by a quick rebound High inventory levels led to a flash crash in prices, after which low-priced supplies helped to clear the inventory Demand for restocking, bottom-fishing, and export support collectively drove the price increase The cost support from liquid chlorine and methanol has weakened

• Dichloromethane market
• post-Spring Festival outlook
• inventory pressure
• weakening cost support

This week, the price of acetic acid in China showed a strong increase, with the market average rising from 2,780 CNY/ton to 2,830 CNY/ton, a price increase of 1.80%. The price of raw material methanol fell by 2.09%, reducing the cost pressure on acetic acid. The price of downstream acetate anhydride also increased slightly. It is expected that the acetic acid market will remain strong and stable in the short term.

• Acetic acid market
• price increase
• methanol prices
• acetic anhydride market conditions

In February, the isopropanol market price in China decreased. The average price at the beginning of the month was 5733.33 CNY/ton, and the average price at the end of the month was 5625 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.89%. The price of raw material acetone decreased by 3.9%, while the price of propylene increased by 0.99%. In the short term, the isopropanol market in China is expected to maintain stable operations, and attention should be paid to the trend of the raw material market.

• Isopropanol price
• Market trend
• Raw material price
• Future market forecast

On February 27, international crude oil futures closed sharply higher, as the lack of an agreement in US-Iran nuclear talks and rising military risks drove oil prices upward Market concerns that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz have already factored in a geopolitical premium of $8–10 per barrel Signals of a rebound in Middle East supply are partially offsetting upward pressure; going forward, attention will be focused on developments in US

• U.S.-Iran negotiations
• geopolitical risks
• oil price volatility
• OPEC+ production increase decision

February 27, 2025, the coke market in China was generally stable with a slight weakness, with an average price of 1,443 CNY per ton. The prices in Handan, Qujing, Tianjin Port, and Changzhi remained stable, with light trading and high inventory levels. It is expected that prices will remain stable in the short term.

• Coke market
• stable prices
• high inventory
• weak market trading

On February 26, the average price of pure benzene in China was 6,193.33 CNY per ton, with prices remaining weakly stable. International crude oil futures showed little change, providing limited support for pure benzene prices. Most refineries in Shandong maintained stable pricing and submitted bids, while demand-driven buyers adopted a wait-and-see attitude. It is expected that the pure benzene market will experience slight fluctuations in the short term.

• Pure benzene market
• market prices
• weak and stable operation
• international crude oil futures

Zimbabwe suddenly announced a suspension of lithium ore exports, causing a sharp rise in the price of lithium carbonate. In the short term, the contraction in supply and market sentiment are driving prices higher; in the medium term, other supply sources will fill the gap, bringing prices back to their fundamental levels; and in the long term, African countries will promote the local value addition of mineral resources, reshaping the global lithium supply chain landscape.

• Zimbabwe’s ban on lithium ore exports
• rising prices of lithium carbonate
• the global lithium supply chain
• restructuring of the lithium industry chain

On February 26, the average market price of ammonium sulfate in China was 1,216 CNY per ton, an increase of 5.49% from the beginning of the month. The ammonium sulfate market prices continued to rise this month, following the trend from January, due to tight supply and strong demand. It is expected that the ammonium sulfate market will continue to move upward in the short term.

• Ammonium sulfate market
• price increase
• tight supply
• future market forecast

After the Spring Festival, the price of petroleum coke from local refineries in China has risen As of February 26, the price of petroleum coke in the Shandong market was 2,68575 CNY/ton, an increase of 256% from February 23 International crude oil prices have fluctuated due to tensions between the United States and Iran, but market sentiment has eased after the holiday

• Petroleum coke from local refineries
• rising market prices
• international crude oil
• market forecasts

Post-holiday, the price of 180CST fuel oil in China saw a slight increase, with the average price on February 26 being 5400.00 CNY/ton, up 0.47% from the 23rd. Bunker cost support and downstream demand have improved. International crude oil prices fluctuated, and fuel oil inventories in Singapore increased. It is expected that the market will mainly consolidate in the near term.

• Fuel oil market
• Bunker fuel market
• International crude oil
• Singapore fuel oil inventory

On February 25, the price of caustic soda increased by 1.93% compared to the previous trading day, with the market average price at 634 CNY/ton. In Shandong, the price of 32% ion membrane alkali was quoted at 600-670 CNY/ton, in Zhejiang it remained stable at 850-970 CNY/ton, and in Inner Mongolia, the price was quoted at 2050-2150 CNY/ton (on a 100% basis). Post-holiday restocking demand has driven up prices, but the expected room for further increases is limited.

• Caustic soda prices
• market analysis
• chemical industry index
• post-Spring Festival market trends

The DMF market price remains stable, with insufficient downstream demand being the primary reason. In the short term, the market supply and demand are in balance, resulting in limited price fluctuations. It is expected that, in the near future, unless there is a significant increase in demand or a notable change in supply, the DMF price will continue to remain stable.

• DMF price
• downstream demand
• price trends
• market stability

February 24, the Chinese natural rubber market saw a significant rise on the first trading day after the Spring Festival, with the main Shanghai rubber futures contract closing at 17,030 CNY per ton, a price increase of 4.38%. The spot market prices also rebounded in tandem. The reduction in raw material supply from Thailand and the strengthening of the external market jointly contributed to this upward trend. In the short term, natural rubber prices are expected to remain high.

• Natural rubber
• rising prices
• tight supply
• futures market

On February 24 at 24:00, China's retail prices for refined oil products saw their "third consecutive increase," with gasoline prices rising by 175 CNY per ton and diesel prices by 170 CNY per ton During this price adjustment period, international oil prices were affected by supply disruptions and geopolitical risks, leading to an increase

• Finished oil price adjustment
• crude oil prices rise
• third consecutive increase
• gasoline and diesel price adjustment

This week, the styrene market in China showed a fluctuating downward trend, with the average price decreasing from 7,688 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 7,594 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price decrease of 1.22%.

• Styrene
• Market Dynamics
• Price Decline
• Weekly Summary

As of February 13, the average market price of acetic acid in China was 2780.00 CNY/ton, a slight increase of 0.24% from February 9. The operating rate on the supply side has slightly decreased, and downstream inventory preparation has slowed down, with mixed market trading sentiment. The price of raw material methanol first increased and then decreased, reducing the cost pressure on acetic acid. It is expected that the acetic acid market will remain stable and cautious in the short term.

• Acetic acid market
• price fluctuations
• supply conditions
• raw material methanol

From February 6 to 13, the price of ethanol in China rose to 5,444 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 0.57%. The price increase was mainly driven by a decrease in supply, an increase in stocking demand, high raw material costs, and factories' willingness to raise prices. It is expected that the market trend after the holiday will mainly be consolidation.

• Ethanol market
• price increase
• tightening supply
• cost support

As of February 13, the price of ethyl acetate was 5,320 CNY/ton, unchanged from February 6, and down 0.13% from the beginning of the month. The market's operating rate has decreased, and inventory has been reduced. Downstream demand is moderate, and while the price of the raw material acetic acid has slightly increased, it provides limited support. It is expected that the price of ethyl acetate will remain stable and be under observation in the short term.

• Acetic acid ethyl ester
• market trend
• stable prices
• moderate downstream demand

From February 6 to 13, the quotation for methanol in the East China port of the Chinese methanol market fell to 2,201 CNY/ton, with a price decrease of 097% during the period The main futures contract for methanol on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange closed at 2,231 CNY/ton, with a price decrease of 045% As the Spring Festival approaches, downstream demand and trading activity have weakened, and supply has decreased due to plant maintenance, while foreign prices remain stable

• Methanol Market
• Price Adjustment
• Pre-Spring Festival Stockpiling
• Reduced Supply

In mid-February, the Chinese PC market remained firm, with spot prices showing mixed movements. The supply side was generally stable, with strong cost support from bisphenol A. Demand improved marginally, as pre-holiday stocking had largely concluded, and buyers were cautious. It is expected that the PC market will continue to maintain a firm trend after the Spring Festival.

• PC market
• prices remain firm
• Bisphenol A support
• pre-holiday market conditions