Price Trends

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 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

This week, the market price of pure benzene in the Shandong region of China fell from 8,390 CNY/ton to 8,303.33 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.03% within the week. Sinopec refineries in multiple locations lowered their prices by 200 CNY/ton to 8,300 CNY/ton. International crude oil futures were nearly flat, with market confidence being moderate. It is expected that the pure benzene market will experience range-bound fluctuations in the short term.

• Pure benzene price
• market analysis
• crude oil futures
• chemical raw materials

This week, the styrene market in China continued to decline, falling from 9,560 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 9,300 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with a price decrease of 2.72%.

• Styrene market
• price decline
• weekly price decrease
• chemical products

In the 19th week of 2026, China's commodity market saw more declines than increases, with the chemical sector leading the decline, while energy and some non-ferrous metals showed strength The raw materials in Shanghai and Shenzhen decreased by 054%, and the spot and futures commodities decreased by 048% In the chemical products, sulfur and yellow phosphorus saw the most significant price increases, while liquid ammonia decreased by over 10%

• Commodities
• Chemicals
• Energy
• Nonferrous Metals

This week, the titanium dioxide market price in China remained stable, with an average price of 17,180 CNY/ton. International company Kronos announced a price increase of 325 USD/ton in the MEAA region starting from July 1st, and Ningbo Xinfu also raised its prices. The demand in the Chinese market is moderate, with a wait-and-see attitude prevailing. It is expected that the market will continue to be dominated by a wait-and-see attitude in the short term, with relatively flexible prices.

• Titanium dioxide market prices
• cost pressure
• rising international prices
• market wait-and-see attitude

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China increased, with the average price of industrial-grade products rising from 3996 CNY/ton to 4010 CNY/ton, a price increase of 0.33%. Although the upstream soda ash price fell by 1.32%, the significant rise in sulfur prices by 7.56% pushed up the price of sodium metabisulfite. It is expected that the market price will remain volatile but slightly strong in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite price
• raw material cost increase
• market price trend
• chemical commodity market conditions

Since May 2026, the EVA market in China has accelerated its decline As of May 14, the benchmark price of EVA has dropped to 12,016 CNY/ton, a decrease of 721% from the beginning of the month The fundamental supply and demand situation is weak, with increased supply and insufficient demand Technical analysis indicates that there may be a small rebound in the short term, but the overall downward trend remains unchanged

• EVA market
• price decline
• supply-demand imbalance
• technical rebound

This week, the price of high-quality industrial melamine in East China fluctuated narrowly within the range of 6850-6887.5 CNY/ton, a slight increase of 0.18% from the beginning of the month. Technical indicators show that the downward momentum has weakened, and it is stabilizing in the short term. Under the balance of supply and demand, the market maintains a weak equilibrium, and it is expected to oscillate and form a bottom within the range of 6800-7000 CNY/ton in the future.

• melamine
• price fluctuation
• supply and demand competition
• slowing decline

This week, the price of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride remained stable at a high level. The benchmark price for hydrofluoric acid is 16,166.67 CNY per ton, an increase of 7.06% compared to last month. Fluorspar supply is slightly more relaxed, but the price of sulfuric acid has risen, providing strong support on the cost side. Downstream refrigerants have entered the peak season, with demand steadily increasing. In the short term, market prices are expected to remain firm at a high level.

• Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride
• prices remain stable at high levels
• fluorite-sulfuric acid cost support
• downstream demand shows steady growth with some upward momentum.

In April 2026, the price of propylene oxide in China surged to 13,000 CNY per ton before declining. As of May 11, it fell to 10,000 CNY per ton, a price decrease of over 23%. The market has entered an adjustment period, with the current price at the median level for the year. The downward trend has slowed but there is still room for further decline, and it is expected to continue in a weak and volatile state.

• Propylene oxide
• price correction
• market adjustment
• weak fluctuation

This week, the market price of acrylic acid in China has continued to fall, with a cumulative decrease of 8.21%, showing a clear bearish signal. The supply and demand situation is weak, with limited cost support, and insufficient demand follow-up. It is expected that there will still be room for price declines in the short term, possibly dropping to the range of 8,800-9,000 CNY per ton. Attention should be paid to the trend of propylene, the raw material, and the downstream purchasing situation.

• Acrylic market: prices are falling
• bearish alignment
• supply and demand are weak.

In early May, the Chinese ABS market first rose and then fell, with the average price dropping to 10,950 CNY per ton. The supply side saw a decrease in operating rates to 57% due to concentrated maintenance. On the demand side, consumption of electrical casings was mediocre, and the weakness in the cost of the three raw materials put pressure on the spot price. In the short term, attention should be paid to international crude oil prices and shipping conditions in the Middle East.

• ABS market
• cost factors
• weak demand
• reduced supply

In early May 2026, the Chinese butadiene market showed a weak downward trend, with weakened cost support, ample supply, and sluggish demand. From May 1 to May 11, the price dropped from 13,200 CNY/ton to 12,466.67 CNY/ton, a cumulative decrease of 5.56%. It is expected that the market will maintain a range-bound fluctuation in the short term, and attention should be paid to the impact of crude oil fluctuations, plant maintenance, and geopolitical situations.

• Butadiene Market
• Supply-Demand Relationship
• Cost Support
• Weak Downstream Demand

The Chinese formic acid market shows a "stable price and steady volume" trend, with stable prices but a supply-demand contradiction emerging. There is ample supply and inventory at a medium to high level, but weak downstream demand has led to low market activity. Prices are expected to remain stable in the short term, but there is a risk of a gradual decline.

• Formic acid market: prices stable
• supply-demand balance
• downside risks

In early May 2026, the spot price of natural rubber fluctuated at a high level, with the upward momentum weakening. The basis shifted from a discount to a premium, and the futures market lacked upward momentum. Supply disruptions and resilient downstream demand provided support, but seasonal supply pressures and profit-taking pressures increased. In the short term, prices may remain in a high-level fluctuation, with an increased risk of a pullback.

• High-level fluctuation
• weakening upward momentum
• natural rubber market trend
• fundamental factors competition

This week, the price of PET bottle chips first increased and then decreased, with both spot and futures markets weakening, mainly due to the pullback in crude oil prices and the reduction in costs Although low inventory and strong exports provided some support, the overall market remained weak

• PET bottle flake prices
• crude oil retraces
• robust exports
• low inventory levels

This week, the market price of aniline remained stable, staying at 11,662 CNY per ton from May 4 to May 8—a year-on-year increase of 66.01%. The May Day holiday led to steady trading activity in the market, with downstream demand primarily driven by essential needs. As the price of pure benzene dropped by 350 CNY per ton to 8,500 CNY per ton, cost support has weakened, and it is expected that aniline prices may decline in the short term.

• Aniline market: prices are stable
• cost support is weakening
• future outlook expected to decline.

This week, the price of activated carbon fell by 0.52%, from 12,933 CNY/ton to 12,866 CNY/ton. The price of coconut shell activated carbon in China increased, but the overall transaction volume was below expectations. The supply of coconut shells from Southeast Asia remained stable, and the price of carbonized materials decreased, easing cost pressure. It is expected that the price of activated carbon will show a volatile trend in the short term.

• Activated carbon prices
• market analysis
• coconut shell activated carbon
• price trends

After the holiday, the price of MTBE dropped to 6,333 CNY per ton, a decrease of 1.04%. International crude oil prices fell sharply, and market transaction activity remained sluggish. Although supply conditions are favorable, insufficient demand has led to a strong wait-and-see atmosphere in the market. MTBE prices in Asia, Europe, and the United States have all been adjusted downward. The MTBE market is expected to remain weak and consolidate in the near term.

• MTBE market
• crude oil prices
• chemical plants
• refined oil market conditions