Costs Decline, Supply Remains Abundant—DOP Prices Fluctuate and Fall This Week

August 18, News

This week, the price of plasticizer DOP in China fluctuated and fell.

According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 18, the DOP price was 7,734.16 CNY/ton, a 1.28% decrease from the DOP price of 7,834.16 CNY/ton on August 10. This week, DOP production increased to 67% of capacity, with sufficient plasticizer output; however, downstream demand remains weak, and the interest in DOP procurement inquiries is lukewarm, indicating continued weak demand for DOP. The prices of raw materials, such as 2-ethylhexanol and phthalic anhydride, have also been fluctuating downward, leading to a decrease in cost support for plasticizers. With ample supply and lower costs, the plasticizer prices have been fluctuating downward this week.

This week, the price of 2-ethylhexanol, a raw material, fluctuated and declined in China.

According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 18, the price of 2-ethylhexanol was 7,350 CNY/ton, a fluctuating decline from the price of 7,433.33 CNY/ton on August 10, with a price decrease of 1.12%. This week, the price of 2-ethylhexanol has been fluctuating downward, leading to a decrease in plasticizer costs and increasing the pressure for DOP prices to fall.

This week, the price of phthalic anhydride, a raw material, fluctuated and fell in China.

According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 18, the price of o-phthalic anhydride in China was 6250 CNY/ton, a decrease of 4.58% from the price of 6550 CNY/ton on August 10. On August 18, the price of ortho-xylene in China was 6400 CNY/ton, a decrease of 3.03% from the price of 6600 CNY/ton on August 10. The cost of phthalic anhydride has decreased, and the operating rate of phthalic anhydride equipment has slightly decreased to around 60%. The supply of phthalic anhydride remains sufficient, and the price of phthalic anhydride has fluctuated and declined this week. With the reduction in costs, the price of plasticizer DOP has also fallen this week.

Future Market Expectation

The plasticizer product data analyst notes that, in terms of costs, isooctanol prices have been fluctuating downward, while phthalic anhydride prices have also declined, leading to lower costs for the plasticizer DOP. On the supply side, plasticizer manufacturers are maintaining high and stable operating rates, ensuring consistent production levels and ample market availability. Meanwhile, demand remains weak due to broader economic sluggishness, intensified competition aimed at avoiding internal price wars, and the ongoing elimination of outdated production capacities. Overall, with robust supply and declining costs coupled with persistently weak demand, the analyst expects plasticizer DOP prices to continue their downward trend in the near term.