Price Trends

From May 15 to 22, 2026, the toluene market price in China increased slightly by 1.54%, with prices in Shandong region rising from 6,931 CNY/ton to 7,037.67 CNY/ton. The market was dominated by a recovery in cost, stable supply, and rigid demand procurement. Demand was weak but exports were acceptable. It is expected that the market will continue to show a narrow and relatively strong fluctuation.

• Toluene Market
• Cost Support
• Supply-Demand Dynamics
• Oil Price Impact

This week, the epichlorohydrin market in China experienced a narrow fluctuation with weak trading. The price decreased slightly by 10.39%, as the price of raw material propylene fell and the supply remained stable, with weak demand. It is expected that the market will continue to maintain a weak consolidation pattern in the short term, with limited price fluctuations.

• epoxy propane market
• narrow range fluctuation
• weak transactions
• supply and demand game

This week, the market price of Aniline in China decreased from 11,462 CNY/ton to 11,062 CNY/ton, a decline of 3.49% within the week. The weak downward adjustment of benzene prices has led to insufficient market confidence. It is expected that in the short term, the Aniline market in China will mainly focus on consolidation.

• Aniline prices declined
• the pure benzene market remains weak
• market demand has eased
• cost factors provide support.

In the past ten days, the average price of 85% industrial thermal phosphoric acid in China has increased from 8,620 CNY/ton to 9,700 CNY/ton, a price increase of 12.53%. The rise in yellow phosphorus prices has led to higher costs, driving up the price of phosphoric acid. The market supply is tight, and manufacturers are holding firm on prices, while downstream demand remains rigid. It is expected that the short-term phosphoric acid market prices will continue to rise strongly.

• Phosphate price
• cost increase
• market trend
• future forecast

This week, the price of activated carbon remained stable, with no changes in the prices of coconut shell activated carbon and columnar coal-based activated carbon. The cost pressure on imported carbonized materials has eased, but the inventory volume is large, which may lead to a weak and volatile trend in the price of activated carbon in the short term.

• Activated carbon prices
• market stability
• large inventory volume
• weak and fluctuating trend

This week, the price of n-butanol in Shandong, China, has continuously fallen, with a price decrease of 5.73%, dropping from 7,566 CNY/ton to 7,133 CNY/ton. The main reasons are the imbalance between supply and demand, weakened cost support, and weak demand downstream. It is expected that prices will continue to be under pressure in the short term, and attention should be paid to changes in costs and demand.

• Butanol prices have fallen
• supply and demand are out of balance
• cost support has weakened
• downstream demand is weak.

This week, the isopropanol market price in China first increased and then decreased, with an overall slight increase of 0.2%. The average price at the beginning of the week was 8,250 CNY/ton, and by the end of the week, it was 8,266.67 CNY/ton. The decline in the price of raw material acetone led to insufficient cost support, and market confidence was poor, leading to cautious purchasing by downstream buyers. It is expected that the market will remain weak in the short term.

• Isopropanol market prices
• first increased then decreased
• cost support is weak
• the market is consolidating with a weak tone.

In May 2026, the price of ethylene oxide in China saw a significant correction, dropping from 9,000 CNY/ton at the beginning of the month to 7,600 CNY/ton. The main reasons include the decline in ethylene prices due to the fading of geopolitical premiums, lower-than-expected maintenance on the supply side, weak demand, and the impact of market funds and sentiment.

• Ethylene oxide prices
• cost support
• oversupply
• weak demand

On May 22, 2026, ethylene glycol prices experienced a significant drop, primarily due to the collapse of cost support following the US-Iran agreement, which led to a decline in crude oil prices Continued supply pressure remains, driven by revised expectations of high operating rates and increased imports in China The off-season for polyester and weak terminal demand have triggered a negative feedback loop

• Ethylene glycol prices have been reduced
• the cost side has collapsed
• there is a supply and demand imbalance
• and there is a resonance of market sentiment.

In the 20th week of 2026, the market prices of formic acid and phosphoric acid surged strongly, while the prices of melamine and other chemical products fell sharply. The market performance showed a clear divergence, and attention should be paid to the subsequent changes in supply and demand.

• Formic acid phosphate
• melamine
• market observation
• price fluctuation

This week, the urea market price in China showed a weak decline. The reference average price of urea in Shandong region dropped from 1822 CNY/ton to 1775 CNY/ton, a decrease of 2.61%. With ample supply and weakening demand, the demand for fertilizer in both agriculture and industry has decreased. It is expected that the urea market will remain weak in the short term. Technical analysis shows that the urea price is at a medium level, and there is still room for further decline.

• Urea market: prices decline
• demand weakens
• supply is ample.

This week, the price of melamine continued to decline, but the moving average system showed a deceleration in the decline. The current market is in the stage of "searching for a fundamental bottom" and "technical oversold." It is recommended to stop panic selling, maintain observation, and pay attention to the price and moving average changes over the next 2-3 trading days.

• Melamine Market: Moving Averages Converging
• Decline Slowing Down
• Fundamental and Technical Analysis

On May 21, the average market price of ammonium sulfate in China was 1,813 CNY per ton, a decrease of 6.85% from May 14. The market demand has weakened, and the export situation is poor, leading to a decline in the ammonium sulfate market. It is expected that the price of ammonium sulfate will continue to fall in the short term. Technical analysis shows that the current price is at a high level, and there is still room for further decline.

• Ammonium sulfate market
• price decline
• supply and demand situation
• future market forecast

As of May 21, the average price of industrial-grade premium cyclohexane in China was 7,383 CNY per ton, with the market operating within a narrow range. Due to weak demand, low downstream operating rates, and insufficient orders, although supply is ample, inventory levels are high. The weakening of pure benzene prices has led to a reduction in cost support, and it is expected that the market price of cyclohexane will maintain a narrow fluctuation in the short term.

• Cyclohexane
• market demand
• price trends
• cost support

On May 21 at 24:00, China's retail oil prices saw their eighth increase, with gasoline and diesel prices rising by 75 yuan and 70 CNY per ton, respectively. During this cycle, international oil prices first fell and then rose, influenced by factors such as the geopolitical standoff between the US and Iran and a decrease in global oil inventories. In the short term, it is expected that oil prices will remain high and volatile, with stable supply in the refined oil market but flat demand.

• Refining product price adjustments
• crude oil prices
• geopolitical risks
• gasoline and diesel markets

On May 21, 2026, the average price of quasi-first-grade metallurgical coke was 1,677 CNY per ton. Following the implementation of the third round of price increases (+50 CNY per ton), spot market sentiment experienced a brief boost. Coke producers’ profits have begun to recover, operating rates remain high, and supply has increased. Meanwhile, coking coal prices have softened, easing cost support. It is expected that the coking coal market will experience narrow fluctuations in the short term.

• Coke Market
• Price Trends
• Cost Support
• Future Market Forecast

In mid-May, the Chinese PC market showed a narrow fluctuation, with price levels slightly increasing by 0.20% compared to the beginning of the month. The supply side saw increased support due to maintenance and reduced operating rates in enterprises, but the demand side entering the off-season led to insufficient support. The cost support for bisphenol A was moderate. It is expected that the PC market will maintain a consolidation trend in the short term.

• PC market: Both supply and demand are weak
• prices are fluctuating
• cost support is weakening.

In mid-May, the Chinese ABS market showed a weak trend, with spot prices decreasing. The supply side provided moderate support, but demand was weak, and the impact of cost factors was limited. It is predicted that prices may continue to decline in the short term, and attention should be paid to international crude oil and Middle East shipping conditions.

• ABS market
• weak consumption
• cost factors
• weakening demand

This week, the acrylic acid market in China continued to decline, with prices falling from 9,316.67 CNY/ton to 8,716.67 CNY/ton, a weekly price decrease of 6.44%. Weak demand, ample supply, and limited cost support have led to a clear bearish trend. In the short term, it is expected that the downward momentum will continue, with a support level at 8,500 CNY/ton. A turning point will require a narrowing of the spread and signals of demand recovery.

• Acrylic prices have fallen
• market demand is weak
• short positions are lined up
• supply is abundant.

As of May 19, the DMF market price in China has declined to 5,240 CNY/ton, with a quiet market. Increased supply, weaker cost support for raw materials, and weak demand from downstream sectors (polyurethane, leather, and electronics industries) have put pressure on prices. It is expected that DMF prices will continue to fall in the short term.

• DMF prices have fallen
• downstream demand is weak
• the market is oversupplied
• and support from raw material costs has weakened.