Polyester Bottle Flakes Market Shows Strong Upward Trend in Recent Two Days

December 23rd, according to news

On December 22-23, the polyester bottle flake market showed a strong upward trend. On the 23rd, the average selling price of PET was 5,772 CNY per ton. The primary driving force behind this rally stems from robust cost support.

Strong cost-driven momentum: International crude oil prices continue to rise, and PTA—the primary raw material for polyester—has surged significantly. Expectations of tight supply persist, and on December 22, the spot price of PTA jumped by 117 CNY/ton, providing the most direct upward impetus for bottle flakes.

The amplifying effect of the futures market: The sharp rise in the futures market on the 23rd (with the main contract 2603) reflects strong bullish sentiment in the market, further reinforcing the bullish outlook in the spot market and potentially influencing short-term spot prices.

On the demand side: Although prices have been passively rising, downstream industries such as soft drinks are in the off-season, and actual demand has not improved. The market is stuck in a stalemate characterized by "rising quotes followed by declining prices"—that is, sellers are eager to raise their prices, but buyers are reluctant to follow suit. This has squeezed profit margins, leaving production units potentially operating at minimal profits or even suffering losses.

Overall, it is believed that PET lacks the momentum to continue rising. With the support of raw material prices, PET market prices in China may experience a strong and volatile trend in the short term.