Price Trends

In early April, the PP market in China fluctuated at high levels, with prices showing both increases and decreases Raw material costs were highly volatile, and due to concentrated maintenance, the operating rate of the supply side dropped to around 71%, with weekly production falling short of 690,000 tons The demand side was cautious, with a lackluster downstream trading atmosphere, and the overall market was in a wait-and-see mode

• PP market conditions
• cost support
• reduced supply
• cautious demand

Recently, the price of lithium carbonate in China has been fluctuating upwards. As of April 8th, the benchmark price for battery-grade lithium carbonate was 156,000 CNY per ton, a 1.3% increase from the previous period and a 117% increase year-over-year. The supply side has been affected by the ban in Zimbabwe and the fuel crisis in Australia, while the demand side is being strongly driven by energy storage and new energy vehicles. Future trends will depend on changes in supply and demand.

• Lithium carbonate prices
• supply-side disruptions
• growing demand for energy storage
• recovery of the new-energy vehicle market

This week, the price of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in China increased due to cost pressure, with the benchmark price of hydrofluoric acid reaching 15,100 CNY per ton, a 2.95% increase from the beginning of the month. The rise in the cost of raw materials such as sulfuric acid and fluorspar, along with tight supply, has pushed up the price of hydrofluoric acid by 500-800 CNY per ton. Downstream refrigerant demand remains stable but purchases are cautious.

• Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride
• rising costs
• sulfuric acid costs
• tight fluorite supply

The price of isooctanol rose from approximately 6,700 CNY per ton in early March to 9,500 CNY per ton by April 8, representing a price increase of 42.5%. Following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, crude oil prices fell, leading to a decrease in isooctanol costs. With supply and demand in a stalemate, the outlook for isooctanol prices is one of volatile downward trends.

• Xinol market conditions
• U.S.-Iran ceasefire
• crude oil prices
• supply and demand deadlock

In early April, the price of n-butanol in Shandong increased from 8,566 CNY/ton to 8,933 CNY/ton, a price increase of 4.28%. The rise in raw material costs and good supply and demand conditions supported the upward trend in market prices. It is expected that in the short term, prices will maintain a strong and fluctuating trend, possibly reaching the 9,000 CNY/ton mark. In the medium to long term, prices may remain at high levels with fluctuations.

• Butanol prices are trending upward
• cost support is strengthening
• supply-demand dynamics remain favorable
• the market is experiencing high-level fluctuations.

The acrylic acid market, after a significant rise in March, showed signs of weakening at high levels in early April, with prices slightly falling to 13083.33 CNY/ton. The supply side maintained a tight balance, while the demand side was weak, and the cost side provided strong support. In the short term, prices may fluctuate within the range of 12800-13200 CNY/ton, and it is recommended to operate cautiously.

• Acrylic Market: Prices Weakening
• Supply-Demand Dynamics
• Technical Signals

On April 8, the average market price of ammonium sulfate in China was 1813 CNY/ton, an increase of 2.26% from April 1. High international urea prices have been beneficial to the ammonium sulfate market, with firm factory quotations. It is expected that the market price of ammonium sulfate will continue to rise in the short term. Technical analysis shows that the trend is in line with the upward trend, but it is recommended to be cautious about future price increases.

• Ammonium sulfate prices
• market conditions
• supply and demand situation
• future market outlook

On April 8, international crude oil prices plummeted, with both WTI and Brent crude falling below $100 per barrel The primary reasons were the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, expectations of resumed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and an unexpectedly large build-up in US crude oil inventories, all of which triggered a concentrated unwinding of geopolitical risk premiums

• International crude oil
• geopolitics
• sharp drop in oil prices
• accumulating inventories

Recently, the Chinese formic acid market has continued to consolidate sideways with stable prices. On the supply side, prices are supported by some plant maintenance and low inventory levels. Demand is steady, mainly driven by essential needs. The balance between supply and demand is becoming more even. Market forecasts indicate limited room for price increases, and it is expected to continue consolidating sideways.

• Formic acid market
• supply and demand balance
• stable prices
• sideways consolidation

As of April 7, 2026, the price of melamine remains at a high level of 9,650 CNY per ton, with the market entering a phase of high-level bargaining after the upward momentum has weakened The tight supply supports the price, but there is strong resistance from downstream, weak demand, and weakening cost support The short-term price range is expected to be 9,500-9,800 CNY per ton, and it may fall back to 9,200-9,500 CNY per ton in the medium term

• Melamine Market: High-Level Sideways Trading
• Future Outlook Forecast
• Supply-Demand Analysis

On April 7, 2026, China’s retail prices for refined petroleum products recorded their sixth consecutive increase, with gasoline and diesel prices rising by RMB 420 and RMB 400 per ton, respectively International oil prices have been fluctuating at high levels, and the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has heightened supply risks, thereby supporting the upward trend in oil prices

• Refining oil price adjustments
• crude oil prices
• supply-demand relationship
• geopolitical conflicts

Since mid-March, the Chinese PTA market has been fluctuating at high levels, with the cost end strongly supported by crude oil and PX prices, but the weak demand from the downstream polyester industry has limited the room for PTA price increases It is expected that in the short term, the PTA market will maintain a wide range of fluctuation

• PTA market: trading in a high-range fluctuation
• cost support
• weak demand

This week, the polyester bottle chip market in China fluctuated at high levels, with prices ranging between 8,600 and 8,800 CNY per ton The cost end is strongly supported by geopolitical factors and oil prices, with tight supply and cautious demand

• Polyester bottle chip market
• high-level fluctuation
• cost-driven
• tight supply

This week, the styrene market in China showed a fluctuating downward trend. The average price at the beginning of the week was 10,560 CNY/ton, and by the end of the week, it had fallen to 10,540 CNY/ton, with an overall price decrease of 0.19%.

• Styrene market: prices declined
• volatile trading
• weekly price decrease of 0.19%.

From March 27 to April 3, the BDO price in China increased from 8,157 CNY/ton to 8,433 CNY/ton, a price increase of 3.39%. Multiple plants were under maintenance on the supply side, providing continued support; demand improved as downstream operations increased, which was generally positive. The cost of raw materials such as calcium carbide and methanol fluctuated, and the BDO industry continued to face loss pressures. It is expected that the market will stabilize after the increase.

• BDO market conditions: favorable supply side
• cost-side pressure
• stable demand.

As of April 3, the price of ethanol in China rose to 5,905 CNY/ton, increasing by 0.57% during the period. The cost side is affected by high corn prices, and the supply side is tight due to low production at some factories. Demand remains high due to rigid demand procurement from downstream. It is expected that the ethanol market will maintain a consolidating trend in the future.

• Ethanol market: high prices
• reduced supply
• increased demand.

From March 27 to April 3, the price of MTBE fell from 7,420 CNY/ton to 7,330 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.21%. The market first rose and then fell, significantly influenced by international crude oil. Insufficient terminal demand led to a downward shift in transaction focus. Although the supply side is favorable, demand remains weak, and it is expected that the market will consolidate at high levels.

• MTBE market
• price fluctuations
• crude oil impact
• supply-demand changes

Since March, the price of adipic acid has risen by more than 30% due to cost support and geopolitical conflicts. In April, it is expected that the cost side will remain strong, with supply tightening and demand remaining stable. The market trend will be characterized by high-level fluctuation and upward movement, with prices expected to range between 10,700 and 11,500 CNY per ton.

• Adipic acid market conditions
• cost support
• tightening supply
• high-level fluctuations

In March 2026, influenced by geopolitical tensions and rising costs, the price of n-butanol in Shandong increased from 6,033 CNY/ton to 8,533 CNY/ton, a price increase of 4144% The surge in the crude oil-propylene chain, international supply chain disruptions, and changes in supply and demand collectively drove the price increase It is expected that supply pressure will ease in April, but high prices may suppress demand

• n-Butanol price
• rising costs
• geopolitical situation
• changes in market supply and demand

This week, the melamine market in China remained stable at a high level, with slower transactions The price reached 9,450 CNY/ton, an increase of 027% from the beginning of the month On the demand side, resistance to high prices has increased, while the supply side is gradually recovering, and cost support is weakening

• Melamine market conditions: Prices remain volatile at high levels
• supply and demand dynamics are shifting
• cost support is weakening.