Price Trends

This week, the price of caustic soda in China increased from 622 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 654 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 5.14%. Prices in regions such as Shandong, Jiangxi, and Inner Mongolia fluctuated. The rise in prices was driven by increased demand following the holiday and a recovery in production rates, and it is expected that prices will remain stable in the coming period.

• Caustic soda prices
• market trends
• chemical industry index
• post-holiday demand

In February, the Chinese urea market showed a strong upward trend, with the reference average price increasing from 1782 CNY/ton to 1835 CNY/ton, a price increase of 2.95%. At the beginning of the month, the futures market weakened, leading to a slight decline in prices. However, as demand increased and Indian tender prices rose, the urea market prices gradually recovered. It is expected that urea prices will remain stable with an upward trend in the short term.

• Urea Market
• Price Increase
• Spring Plowing Demand
• Futures Impact

This week, the price of acetic acid in China showed a strong increase, with the market average rising from 2,780 CNY/ton to 2,830 CNY/ton, a price increase of 1.80%. The price of raw material methanol fell by 2.09%, reducing the cost pressure on acetic acid. The price of downstream acetate anhydride also increased slightly. It is expected that the acetic acid market will remain strong and stable in the short term.

• Acetic acid market
• price increase
• methanol prices
• acetic anhydride market conditions

In February, the isopropanol market price in China decreased. The average price at the beginning of the month was 5733.33 CNY/ton, and the average price at the end of the month was 5625 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.89%. The price of raw material acetone decreased by 3.9%, while the price of propylene increased by 0.99%. In the short term, the isopropanol market in China is expected to maintain stable operations, and attention should be paid to the trend of the raw material market.

• Isopropanol price
• Market trend
• Raw material price
• Future market forecast

In February 2026, the acetone market showed a downward trend due to ample supply and weaker-than-expected demand recovery, with prices decreasing by 202% from the beginning of the month China's operating rates increased, and inventories rose, while delayed resumption of downstream operations led to weak demand Cost support was limited, and market sentiment was flat

• Acetone market: oversupply
• weak demand
• declining prices.

In February 2026, the Chinese phenol market steadily increased, with prices rising from 6,450 CNY/ton to 6,650 CNY/ton. The price increase was driven by stronger cost support, structural adjustments in supply, and the recovery of downstream demand. It is expected that the market will continue to rise in March, and for the whole year, supply and demand will tend to balance, with the price center moving upward.

• Phenol market
• price increase
• improving supply and demand
• cost support

On February 27, international crude oil futures closed sharply higher, as the lack of an agreement in US-Iran nuclear talks and rising military risks drove oil prices upward Market concerns that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz have already factored in a geopolitical premium of $8–10 per barrel Signals of a rebound in Middle East supply are partially offsetting upward pressure; going forward, attention will be focused on developments in US

• U.S.-Iran negotiations
• geopolitical risks
• oil price volatility
• OPEC+ production increase decision

February 27, 2025, the coke market in China was generally stable with a slight weakness, with an average price of 1,443 CNY per ton. The prices in Handan, Qujing, Tianjin Port, and Changzhi remained stable, with light trading and high inventory levels. It is expected that prices will remain stable in the short term.

• Coke market
• stable prices
• high inventory
• weak market trading

On February 26, the average price of pure benzene in China was 6,193.33 CNY per ton, with prices remaining weakly stable. International crude oil futures showed little change, providing limited support for pure benzene prices. Most refineries in Shandong maintained stable pricing and submitted bids, while demand-driven buyers adopted a wait-and-see attitude. It is expected that the pure benzene market will experience slight fluctuations in the short term.

• Pure benzene market
• market prices
• weak and stable operation
• international crude oil futures

Zimbabwe suddenly announced a suspension of lithium ore exports, causing a sharp rise in the price of lithium carbonate. In the short term, the contraction in supply and market sentiment are driving prices higher; in the medium term, other supply sources will fill the gap, bringing prices back to their fundamental levels; and in the long term, African countries will promote the local value addition of mineral resources, reshaping the global lithium supply chain landscape.

• Zimbabwe’s ban on lithium ore exports
• rising prices of lithium carbonate
• the global lithium supply chain
• restructuring of the lithium industry chain

After the holiday, the Chinese maleic anhydride market has risen As of February 26, the average market price of maleic anhydride produced by n-butane oxidation reached 5,300 CNY/ton, an increase of 095% compared to February 23 The auction prices from Wanhua continue to rise, supporting the maleic anhydride market In Shandong, the factory price of solid maleic anhydride is about 5,000 CNY/ton, and the liquid maleic anhydride is 4,750 CNY/ton

• Maleic anhydride market
• price increase
• supply situation
• downstream resumption of work

Recent formic acid prices have been stable, with the price of 85% industrial-grade formic acid at 2,450 CNY per ton as of February 28. The market supply and demand are balanced, and inventories are under control. In March, two large enterprises in Shandong plan to conduct maintenance on their 350,000-ton facilities, which may disrupt the supply and demand balance. Combined with the expected recovery in downstream demand, this could lead to a price increase.

• Formic acid price
• plant maintenance
• supply-demand balance
• controllable inventory

This week, the melamine market in China showed a steady improvement, with the benchmark price rising to 575000 CNY/ton The increase in the price of raw material urea provided cost support, but high inventory levels limited the price increase Short-term demand recovery and new production capacity entering the market led to a short-term orderly supply, but long-term pressure

• Melamine market
• cost support
• short-term demand pull
• supply pressure

On February 26, the average market price of ammonium sulfate in China was 1,216 CNY per ton, an increase of 5.49% from the beginning of the month. The ammonium sulfate market prices continued to rise this month, following the trend from January, due to tight supply and strong demand. It is expected that the ammonium sulfate market will continue to move upward in the short term.

• Ammonium sulfate market
• price increase
• tight supply
• future market forecast

The supply of cyclohexane in the Chinese market is limited, with demand being procured as needed and generally weak. It is expected that market prices will remain stable but slightly soft in the short term. The main export markets are South Korea, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries.

• Cyclohexane market
• limited supply
• weak demand
• stable prices

After the Spring Festival, the price of petroleum coke from local refineries in China has risen As of February 26, the price of petroleum coke in the Shandong market was 2,68575 CNY/ton, an increase of 256% from February 23 International crude oil prices have fluctuated due to tensions between the United States and Iran, but market sentiment has eased after the holiday

• Petroleum coke from local refineries
• rising market prices
• international crude oil
• market forecasts

Post-holiday, the price of 180CST fuel oil in China saw a slight increase, with the average price on February 26 being 5400.00 CNY/ton, up 0.47% from the 23rd. Bunker cost support and downstream demand have improved. International crude oil prices fluctuated, and fuel oil inventories in Singapore increased. It is expected that the market will mainly consolidate in the near term.

• Fuel oil market
• Bunker fuel market
• International crude oil
• Singapore fuel oil inventory

In February, the hydrogen peroxide market in China showed a weak downward trend, with prices decreasing by over 11%, from 676 CNY/ton at the beginning of the month to 600 CNY/ton at the end of the month. During the Spring Festival and after the holiday, demand was low, and supply was ample, leading to a continuous decline in prices. It is expected that the market in March will still be under pressure, limiting any potential price increases.

• Hydrogen peroxide market
• prices falling
• weak demand
• ample supply

On February 25, the price of caustic soda increased by 1.93% compared to the previous trading day, with the market average price at 634 CNY/ton. In Shandong, the price of 32% ion membrane alkali was quoted at 600-670 CNY/ton, in Zhejiang it remained stable at 850-970 CNY/ton, and in Inner Mongolia, the price was quoted at 2050-2150 CNY/ton (on a 100% basis). Post-holiday restocking demand has driven up prices, but the expected room for further increases is limited.

• Caustic soda prices
• market analysis
• chemical industry index
• post-Spring Festival market trends

This week, acrylic acid prices saw a substantial increase, driven primarily by the concurrent rise in the price of propylene—the key raw material—and tightening supply conditions Companies such as Shanghai Huayi New Materials and Satellites Chemical have raised their quoted prices, and the market is now characterized by “negotiations based on actual orders” as the dominant mode of transaction

• Cost-push
• supply support
• acrylic acid price increase
• industrial chain transmission