Price Trends

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.

Recently, the price of lithium carbonate has experienced a pullback after reaching 200,000 CNY per ton, mainly due to factors such as adjustments in inventory statistical methods, a surge in futures warehouse receipts, rumors of easing overseas supply, and a bearish report from Goldman Sachs

• Lithium carbonate prices
• inventory adjustments
• futures warehouse receipts
• resilient demand

Recently, the Chinese formic acid market has been in a weak supply-demand balance, with prices stabilizing at 2,400 CNY per ton. Supply is ample, but inventory levels are moderately high, and demand is weak. Some manufacturers have planned maintenance, which is expected to alleviate inventory pressure and support price increases. In the short term, a slight upward trend is anticipated, while long-term trends will depend on improvements in supply and demand.

• Formic acid market
• supply and demand balance
• maintenance expectations
• price forecast

On May 15, the international crude oil market surged due to the U.S.-Iran geopolitical stalemate and disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. WTI and Brent crude oil futures rose by 4.2% and 3.4%, respectively. Global petroleum inventories are being depleted at an accelerated pace, and the supply gap is proving difficult to close, suggesting that oil prices are likely to remain high in the short term.

• Geopolitics
• crude oil prices
• critical inventory levels
• Strait of Hormuz

Since May, the PTA market in China has been operating weakly, with prices slightly declining to 6,573 CNY per ton. Despite a significant reduction in supply due to large-scale maintenance, cost support is limited, and demand remains consistently weak, making it difficult for a short-term recovery. Analysts expect that PTA prices will continue to follow a downward trend in the short term.

• PTA market
• weakening cost support
• weak demand
• shrinking supply

Since May, the market price of polyester staple fiber in China has slightly declined, with weakening support from the cost side, and crude oil and PX fluctuating at high levels The PTA market has been operating weakly, with continued weakness in demand, and a strong wait-and-see attitude in the downstream pure polyester yarn market

• Polyester staple fiber prices: cost support weakens
• weak demand
• downward channel

The polyethylene market is showing a volatile trend in the short term, with supply gradually easing while demand remains weak The end of the peak season for agricultural films has led to a decline in demand, and although demand from sectors such as packaging and injection molding is stable, it lacks strength The cost side, with crude oil prices falling, has weakened support

• Polyethylene market: Prices fluctuate
• supply increases
• demand is in the off-season.

This week, the spot and futures prices of polyester bottle chips both fluctuated downward. The spot price in East China fell to 8,800-8,900 CNY/ton, while the futures price dropped to a low of 8,078 CNY/ton. The cost side, PTA, weakened, with stable supply but increasing inventory. Demand has become weaker, and market sentiment is pessimistic. It is expected that the market will remain weak in the short term, with support at the cost level.

• Polyester bottle chips
• Price trend
• Market analysis
• Future outlook