As of September 19, 2026, the spot price of phthalic anhydride in China is operating at a near one-year high. The average difference indicator shows that the current market is in a mild correction phase, with an overall trend of oscillation and a slight bearish bias. The key factors affecting the subsequent market will be the support from the upstream raw material end and the demand changes in the downstream unsaturated resins and plasticizers sectors. At the current price level, there is limited room for further increases, and attention should be paid to the risk of price fluctuations due to changes in supply and demand.
1. Mean Difference Change Table
| Mean Difference Indicator | Value as of September 19, 2026 | Value as of September 18, 2026 | Direction of Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-day Mean Difference (D5) | 13.33 | 26.66 | - |
| 10-day Mean Difference (D10) | 81.67 | 116.67 | - |
| 20-day Mean Difference (D20) | 326.66 | 320 | + |
Note: The data source is public data, with the latest available data up to September 19, 2026. It is recommended to refer to real-time data.
2. Signal Status Judgment
The current three mean difference change direction combinations are (－, －, ＋), which belongs to a mild correction (bearish, corrective nature) signal.
3. Trend Direction Conclusion
The current phthalic anhydride price trend is fluctuating. The reason is that the changes in the three averages compared to the previous day are not entirely consistent, which does not meet the criteria for a clear upward or downward trend, but rather aligns with the signal characteristics of a mild correction in a fluctuating market.
4. Positional Spatial Reference
The current phthalic anhydride price in China is in the 5th tier (high range) for the near 60-day, 3-month, and 1-year periods, with limited room for further increases.
5. Price Trend Chart for the Past Year
6. Industry Dynamics Reference
Upstream: The upstream raw materials for the phthalic anhydride industry chain are refined naphthalene and OX; fluctuations in raw material prices significantly impact the cost support for phthalic anhydride.
Supply side: On September 14, the phthalic anhydride units of Tongling Chemical Industry Group (with a capacity of 80,000 tons) and Shijiazhuang Bailong Chemical (with a capacity of 80,000 tons) in China were operating normally. The supply was tight and inventory was low. The quoted prices on that day were increased by 200 CNY/ton, and the actual transaction prices rose accordingly.
On the demand side, phthalic anhydride’s downstream applications span multiple sectors, including herbicides such as metolachlor, unsaturated resins, plasticizers like DOP and DBP, alkyd resins, and others. The operating rates and procurement demands in these downstream sectors directly influence the strength of support for phthalic anhydride demand.
7. Risk Warning
The above analysis is for reference only and does not constitute trading advice.
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