Price Trends

On January 23, international crude oil futures prices jumped nearly 3% amid supply disruptions, including the escalation of US sanctions against Iran and the shutdown of oil fields in Kazakhstan WTI crude oil rose to $6107 per barrel, while Brent crude oil climbed to $6507 per barrel A short-term cold snap has also affected US crude oil production, though output has the potential to rebound in the future

• Geopolitics
• supply disruptions
• rising oil prices
• U.S. sanctions on Iran

This week (2026.01.16-01.23), the polyester bottle chip market first declined and then rebounded, with both futures and spot prices rising in tandem. Strong cost support, tight supply, and the positive sentiment from futures driving spot prices led to the increase. As of January 23rd, the mainstream spot price in East China was 6,340-6,400 CNY/ton. It is expected that the short-term price will remain strong, operating within the range of 6,300-6,500 CNY/ton.

• Polyester bottle flakes
• prices are rising
• supply is tight
• cost support

This week, the styrene market price in China rose significantly, increasing from 7,196 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 7,650 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with a price increase of 6.31%. Multiple positive factors supported this price rise.

• Styrene
• Price Increase
• Market Dynamics
• Commodity Analysis

This week, the market price of aniline in China continued to rise, from 8,545 CNY/ton on January 19 to 8,745 CNY/ton on January 23, with a price increase of 2.34%. The cost was affected by the increase in the price of pure benzene and the reduction in supply, leading to low inventory levels in the aniline market. Downstream rigid demand entered the market, and it is expected that the market will consolidate in the short term.

• Aniline prices
• market rally
• pure benzene costs
• low supply and inventory

This week, the market price of isopropanol in China increased from 5,350 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 5,533.33 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 3.43%. The cost of raw material acetone rose, strengthening cost support, and manufacturers raised their quotations. Market confidence was good, with downstream buyers mainly purchasing according to their needs. It is expected that the market will remain strong in the short term.

• Isopropyl alcohol
• market price
• rise
• chemical analysis

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China increased, with industrial-grade products rising from 2,280 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 2,290 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 0.44%. The main driver was the rise in the price of upstream sulfur (+2.29%). It is expected that prices will maintain a volatile but relatively strong trend in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite
• price increase
• rising raw material costs
• market forecast

After New Year's Day, the adipic acid market in China was steadily pushed up by the rising prices of raw materials such as pure benzene and cyclohexanone. As of January 22, the average market price reached 7,466 CNY/ton, with a price increase of about 4.67%. However, analysts pointed out that due to stable terminal procurement demand, the momentum for further increases may be insufficient, and the market trend may decline.

• Adipic acid
• market price increase
• raw material support
• future forecast

Currently, the market demand for cyclohexane is relatively weak. Downstream industries such as synthetic fibers and coatings are operating at low capacity utilization rates, and export orders are limited. Overall, procurement is driven primarily by rigid demand. It is expected that cyclohexane market prices will remain stable but tend to stay on the weaker side in the short term.

• Cyclohexane Market
• Insufficient Downstream Demand
• Price Trends
• Future Market Forecast

In mid-January, PP prices in China experienced a rise followed by a decline, with mixed price movements across different grades. The support from raw material costs began to weaken, while supply remained ample. Although demand showed some improvement, it is expected to weaken due to the holiday season. It is anticipated that the PP market will enter an adjustment period.

• PP prices
• cost support
• supply and demand
• market forecast

In mid-January, the Chinese PC market showed an upward trend at a low level, with spot prices for most grades increasing. Supply-side pressure eased, and the cost support for bisphenol A strengthened, while demand was in a tight balance. It is expected that the PC market will maintain a consolidating trend in the short term.

• PC market
• price trends
• supply conditions
• cost support

In mid-January, the market price of acetic acid in China rose strongly to 2903.33 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 3.44%. The tight supply and stable downstream demand supported the price. Although the price of methanol, the raw material, fell, the strong performance of the acetic anhydride market further pushed up the price of acetic acid. It is expected that the acetic acid market will continue to operate at a high level later.

• Acetic acid market: prices rise
• supply tightens
• downstream demand remains stable.

This week, the market price of polyester staple fiber in China has fallen. On January 17, the average price in China dropped to 6,486 CNY/ton, a decrease of 0.8% from the beginning of the week. Affected by the decline in international oil prices and the weak performance of PTA, cost support has weakened. Downstream demand is weak, with textile companies seeing a reduction in orders. It is expected that the price of polyester staple fiber will continue to decline in the short term.

• Polyester staple fiber
• market price
• PTA
• crude oil price

At the beginning of 2026, the acrylonitrile market price in China fell to a five-year low, with the ex-tank price at East China ports around 7,200 CNY per ton. Excess supply and high raw material costs have led to increased production losses. The supply-demand contradiction continues, and the risk of inventory accumulation has intensified. In the short term, the market is expected to remain weak. Adjustments on the supply side will be key to the market turning point.

• Acrylonitrile prices have fallen
• oversupply
• production losses
• risk of inventory accumulation.

This week, the styrene market in China showed an upward trend, with the average price at the beginning of the week being 6964 CNY/ton, rising to 7116 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 2.18%.

• Styrene
• Market rise
• Weekly price increase
• Chemical products

In January, the DOP price in China rose by 2.27% to 7,492.50 CNY/ton, mainly due to the increase in the prices of raw materials such as 2-ethylhexanol and phthalic anhydride, leading to greater cost support. Although the operating rate of DOP manufacturers in China dropped to 63%, resulting in a slight decrease in supply, the overall supply remains sufficient. It is expected that the DOP price will consolidate strongly in the future.

• DOP price
• rising costs
• rising raw material prices
• ample supply

From January 1 to 15, 2026, the market price of toluene rose from 5,170 CNY/ton to 5,310 CNY/ton, representing a price increase of 271% The main driving factors included support from crude oil costs, tightening supply conditions, and positive developments in the aromatics industry chain

• Crude oil prices
• toluene market
• tight supply
• cost support

In January, the market price of aniline rose several times, climbing from 7,945 CNY per ton to 8,437 CNY per ton—a price increase of 6.2%. The rise in aniline prices was driven by factors such as tight supply and higher benzene prices. It is expected that in the short term, the aniline market will experience a period of consolidation after the recent price hike.

• Aniline market: prices rising
• supply tight
• pure benzene market conditions

In January, the price of 2-ethylhexanol fluctuated and increased by 169%, reaching 7,03333 CNY/ton The operating rate of 2-ethylhexanol producers in China increased to 95%, with a weekly output of 76,000 tons, leading to an increase in supply The price of the raw material, propylene, significantly rose by 752%, increasing cost support The price of downstream DOP fluctuated and increased by 227%, with demand support still present

• Isooctanol prices
• rising costs
• increased supply
• downstream demand provides support

The DMF market in China is operating steadily overall, but insufficient downstream demand is putting some pressure on the market. Prices are stable with no significant fluctuations.

• DMF market
• price trends
• downstream demand

January 15, the isopropanol market trended upward, with the average price reaching 5,325 CNY per ton. The increase in the price of upstream acetone supported the cost, and the inventory holders quoted strong prices. Downstream inquiries were active, but transactions were cautious. In the short term, the market is expected to remain strong, with actual transaction prices negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

• Isopropyl alcohol
• market conditions
• price increase
• cost support