Price Trends

In the first half of April, the Chinese ABS market saw a decline from its high position, with the average price dropping to 12,216.67 CNY/ton. The supply side had an operating rate of 59%, with production below 130,000 tons, leading to inventory accumulation. Cost factors were affected by crude oil price fluctuations, and demand was weak. It is predicted that the spot price will continue to decline in the short term.

• ABS market
• cost factors
• supply levels
• demand analysis

Since the beginning of 2026, the price of EVA in China has risen significantly by 36.69% to 13,350 CNY per ton. After March, due to factors such as a rush in photovoltaic installations, plant maintenance, and increases in raw material prices, the price of EVA surged by more than 30%. The market has now entered a period of observation, and it is expected that prices will adjust weakly in the short term. It is recommended to operate with caution.

• EVA market
• price increase
• changes in supply and demand
• future market outlook

Recently, the price of lithium carbonate has remained volatile The benchmark price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in China is 159,000 CNY/ton, up 127% month-over-month and 124% year-over-year Market uncertainty has increased due to disruptions in the mining sector and changes in supply and demand, especially the impact of the license renewal for the Yichun lithium mine and Zimbabwe's export policies

• Lithium carbonate
• supply disruption
• fluctuating operation
• changes in supply and demand

On April 13, although the price of propylene oxide was on an upward trend, the gap between its 10-day moving average and 20-day moving average narrowed, and all five levels were at high positions and in a state of overselling for the year, indicating limited room for price increases. It is recommended to operate with caution, focusing on small purchases or mainly observing.

• Propylene oxide prices
• upward trend
• high risk at elevated levels
• cautious operation

This week, the price of acrylic acid in East China fluctuated at a high level and weakened, with a cumulative price decrease of 076% The supply side's operating rate is about 8105%, and the demand side is deterred by high prices The short-term moving averages are entangled, and the upward momentum is exhausted It is expected to oscillate in the range of 12,800-13,100 CNY/ton in the short term

• Acrylic price: fluctuating at a high level
• supply-demand contradiction
• moving averages intertwined

On April 14, international oil prices experienced a sharp pullback: NYMEX May WTI crude oil fell by 787%, and ICE June Brent crude oil dropped by 46% The decline in oil prices was driven by the combined effect of four factors: expectations of easing geopolitical tensions, the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the IEA's downward revision of supply-and-demand forecasts, and a massive surge in API inventories

• geopolitics
• supply and demand fundamentals
• international oil prices
• high inventories

Recently, the price of formic acid in China has been stable, with the benchmark price for 85% industrial-grade formic acid at 3,000 CNY per ton, a month-on-month increase of 1538%, and a year-on-year decrease of 1176% The market supply and demand are relatively balanced, with ample supply but weak demand, and export orders provide periodic support Spotcom shows that the moving averages are crossing, and the room for price increases is limited

• Formic acid prices
• supply-demand balance
• export support
• limited price increase

From April 6 to 13, the methanol market price in East China's ports fell by 3.72% to 3,360 CNY/ton. The warming sentiment in the futures market drove the spot market, with demand gradually recovering but downstream follow-up gains being weak. Overall supply increased, and foreign prices declined. It is expected that the methanol market will consolidate with a slightly stronger trend.

• Methanol Market
• Price Fluctuations
• Supply-Demand Relationship
• Futures Impact

This week, the Chinese acrylonitrile market stabilized due to insufficient domestic demand. Supply decreased, but so did demand. Rising costs have led to a narrowing of profits. Prices in East China and Shandong have slightly decreased, while CFR South Asia prices have increased. It is expected that the market will slightly decline under the influence of both internal and external factors.

• Acrylonitrile market: insufficient demand
• reduced supply
• rising costs

Recently, the polyethylene market in China has been fluctuating at high levels. The price of LLDPE fell by 0.36%, while the prices of LDPE and HDPE increased by 2.00% and 2.19%, respectively. The cost side is supported by high crude oil prices, and the supply side has contracted due to concentrated spring inspections. However, weak demand is suppressing price increases. It is expected to be strong in the short term but a correction should be guarded against.

• Polyethylene market: high-level fluctuations
• cost support
• weak demand

This week, the caustic soda price remained stable, with the market average price at 738 CNY/ton, a year-on-year decrease of 1098% The quotations in Shandong, Zhejiang, and Inner Mongolia regions were 670-810 CNY/ton, 1000-1050 CNY/ton, and 2300-2400 CNY/ton (converted to 100%), respectively In terms of supply, although the operating rate of enterprises has increased, there is significant inventory pressure, and downstream demand is cautious

• Caustic soda prices
• trading in a consolidation phase
• inventory pressure
• downstream demand

This week, the styrene market price in China fluctuated and fell, dropping from 10,540 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 10,180 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with an overall price decrease of 3.42%.

• Styrene Market
• Price Decline
• Weekly Price Decrease
• Market Analysis

This week, the price of DOP stopped rising and fell, from 10,25917 CNY/ton on April 1st to 10,27583 CNY/ton on April 10th The ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran led to a decrease in crude oil prices, and the prices of raw materials such as isooctanol and phthalic anhydride also declined, resulting in a reduction in the cost of DOP It is expected that the price of DOP will remain weak and consolidate in the future

• DOP price
• crude oil market conditions
• isooctanol price
• phthalic anhydride price

This week, the price of propylene oxide in China’s market first rose and then stabilized As of April 10, the benchmark price stood at 13,300 CNY per ton, up 813% On the raw material side, propylene prices surged initially but then retreated; on the supply side, frequent plant maintenance activities led to a decline in operating rates Meanwhile, demand-side sentiment remained strongly resistant to high prices, prompting the market to adopt a cautious wait-and-see approach

• Propylene oxide
• market price
• supply-demand relationship
• cost support

This week (April 6–10), China’s polymeric MDI market prices continued to rise, with a weekly price increase of 399% Supply is tightening Major manufacturers have raised their suggested retail prices and are offering discounts, while imports have dwindled On the cost side, the rebound in crude oil prices has driven benzene prices to fluctuate strongly but remain relatively firm

• Polymerized MDI
• market price
• tightening supply
• cost support

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China increased by 16.34%, rising from 3,366 CNY per ton at the beginning of the week to 3,916 CNY per ton by the end of the week. The continuous rise in the price of upstream raw material sulfur has driven up the price of sodium metabisulfite. It is expected that the market price in China will maintain a strong and volatile trend in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite
• price increase
• market analysis
• future forecast

From April 3 to 10, the BDO market supply increased, with limited overall growth in demand, leading to a wider supply-demand gap and a slowing of price increases. The price of carbide decreased, while the price of methanol remained firm, influenced by favorable cost factors. Downstream industries showed varied operating conditions, with a weaker ability to accept high-priced raw materials. It is expected that the BDO market will mainly see a consolidation after the increase.

• BDO market
• increased supply
• impact on the demand side
• favorable factors on the cost side

In early April, the urea market price in China slightly increased. The average urea market price in Shandong region was 1872 CNY/ton, up by 0.40% from the beginning of the month. In terms of supply, the operating rate is about 90%, with demand gradually decreasing but compound fertilizer enterprises increasing their purchases. It is expected that the urea price will fluctuate narrowly and rise in the short term.

• Urea Prices
• Market Analysis
• Supply and Demand Situation
• Future Market Forecast

In 2026, the natural rubber market trend fluctuated and rose As of April 7, the spot price was 16,933 CNY/ton, an increase of 1037% from the beginning of the year Global production is expected to grow by 24% to 15,200,000 tons, but Thailand and Indonesia are struggling to increase production Demand is moderately recovering, with consumption expected to be 15,600,000 tons, resulting in a supply-demand gap of about 400,000 tons

• Natural rubber market: Prices are fluctuating and rising
• supply-demand gap
• upward cycle phase

Affected by the news of a US-Iran ceasefire, energy and chemical futures plunged across the board, with WTI crude oil prices falling by more than 19% The PET bottle flake market, supported by low inventory levels, shrinking supply, and strong underlying demand, demonstrated remarkable resilience against price declines, with price decreases significantly smaller than those of raw materials

• Energy Chemical Futures
• PET Market
• Soaring Oil Prices
• Resilience Against Declines