ECHEMI Analysis

At the beginning of 2026, the acrylonitrile market price in China fell to a five-year low, with the ex-tank price at East China ports around 7,200 CNY per ton. Excess supply and high raw material costs have led to increased production losses. The supply-demand contradiction continues, and the risk of inventory accumulation has intensified. In the short term, the market is expected to remain weak. Adjustments on the supply side will be key to the market turning point.

• Acrylonitrile prices have fallen
• oversupply
• production losses
• risk of inventory accumulation.

This week, the PVC spot market in China experienced a range-bound fluctuation, with weak price performance The average price of SG-5 type was 4,496 CNY/ton, falling by 062% within the week The supply and demand fundamentals were stable, but downstream demand was insufficient, leading to a light market atmosphere The calcium carbide price remained stable, providing limited support to PVC

• PVC market trend
• price fluctuation
• supply and demand fundamentals
• future forecast

This week, the price of polyester bottle chips first increased and then decreased, with the average price in East China at 6100 CNY/ton. The cost is significantly affected by crude oil and PTA, with a slightly tight supply but weak demand. The 2025 annual production capacity in China is expected to increase by 11.2%, leading to intense competition. It is predicted that the short-term price will fluctuate on the weak side, with a reference range of 5900-6200 CNY/ton.

• Polyester bottle chip prices
• cost impact
• supply and demand
• market outlook

This week, the caustic soda price showed a weak trend, with the market average price dropping from 723 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 694 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price decrease of 441%, and a year-on-year decrease of 2672% The quoted prices in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Inner Mongolia regions were 640-720 CNY/ton, 740-820 CNY/ton, and 2100-2200 CNY/ton (converted to 100%), respectively

• Caustic soda prices
• market analysis
• chemical industry index
• supply-demand relationship

This week, the styrene market in China showed an upward trend, with the average price at the beginning of the week being 6964 CNY/ton, rising to 7116 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 2.18%.

• Styrene
• Market rise
• Weekly price increase
• Chemical products

In January, the DOP price in China rose by 2.27% to 7,492.50 CNY/ton, mainly due to the increase in the prices of raw materials such as 2-ethylhexanol and phthalic anhydride, leading to greater cost support. Although the operating rate of DOP manufacturers in China dropped to 63%, resulting in a slight decrease in supply, the overall supply remains sufficient. It is expected that the DOP price will consolidate strongly in the future.

• DOP price
• rising costs
• rising raw material prices
• ample supply

From January 1 to 15, 2026, the market price of toluene rose from 5,170 CNY/ton to 5,310 CNY/ton, representing a price increase of 271% The main driving factors included support from crude oil costs, tightening supply conditions, and positive developments in the aromatics industry chain

• Crude oil prices
• toluene market
• tight supply
• cost support

From January 1 to January 15, 2026, the butadiene market price in China increased from 8,333.33 CNY/ton to 9,483.33 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 13.8%. The rise in prices was driven by cost factors, tight supply, and steady demand. It is expected that the market will maintain a high-level fluctuation pattern in the short term.

• Butadiene Market
• Rising Prices
• Supply-Demand Dynamics
• Cost Support

In January, the market price of aniline rose several times, climbing from 7,945 CNY per ton to 8,437 CNY per ton—a price increase of 6.2%. The rise in aniline prices was driven by factors such as tight supply and higher benzene prices. It is expected that in the short term, the aniline market will experience a period of consolidation after the recent price hike.

• Aniline market: prices rising
• supply tight
• pure benzene market conditions

This week (1.12-1.16), the average price of urea in China increased from 1,745 CNY/ton to 1,767 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 1.29%. Both supply and demand have improved, and the market is dominated by optimistic sentiment. It is expected that prices will continue to be relatively strong in the short term.

• Urea Market
• Price Increase
• Supply and Demand Situation
• Future Market Forecast

In January, the price of 2-ethylhexanol fluctuated and increased by 169%, reaching 7,03333 CNY/ton The operating rate of 2-ethylhexanol producers in China increased to 95%, with a weekly output of 76,000 tons, leading to an increase in supply The price of the raw material, propylene, significantly rose by 752%, increasing cost support The price of downstream DOP fluctuated and increased by 227%, with demand support still present

• Isooctanol prices
• rising costs
• increased supply
• downstream demand provides support

The DMF market in China is operating steadily overall, but insufficient downstream demand is putting some pressure on the market. Prices are stable with no significant fluctuations.

• DMF market
• price trends
• downstream demand

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China remained stable, with the average price of industrial-grade products increasing from 2,250 CNY/ton to 2,276 CNY/ton, a price increase of 1.19%. The rise in the price of upstream sulfur by 3.31% led to an increase in the price of sodium metabisulfite. It is expected that the market price will maintain a volatile but relatively strong trend in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite
• stable prices
• rising sulfur prices
• volatile but generally strong trend.

From January 12 to 16, the price of ethanol in China fell to 5,411 CNY per ton, with a decline of 0.26% during the period. The rise in corn prices supported high costs, but profits were poor; the supply side was bearish, while demand showed slight improvement. It is expected that the ethanol market may continue to decline in the short term.

• Ethanol Market
• Price Decline
• Cost Support
• Improving Demand

In January 2026, the ethylene glycol price stabilized and fluctuated within a range. The average price of oil-based ethylene glycol in China was 3808.33 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.45% from the beginning of the month. The inventory in the main ports of East China increased to 728,000 tons. The cost support, supply disruptions, and the off-season for demand led to price fluctuations within the range of 3650-3850 CNY/ton.

• Ethylene glycol prices
• port inventory
• cost support
• supply-demand dynamics

This week, the market price of ammonium sulfate in China continued to rise, with the average price of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate increasing from 1063 CNY/ton to 1096 CNY/ton, a price increase of 3.14%. The market supply is tight, and manufacturers have no pressure in shipping goods. Downstream buyers are purchasing actively, and the trading atmosphere is positive. It is expected that the market price of ammonium sulfate will continue to operate strongly in the short term.

• Ammonium sulfate market
• price trend
• supply and demand situation
• future market forecast

From January 12 to 16, the quotation for methanol in the East China port of the Chinese methanol market fell to 2,220 CNY/ton, with a price decrease of 0.55% during the period. The closing price of methanol futures on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange fell by 1.97%. Downstream demand is weak, and inventory remains high. It is expected that the spot market trend of methanol may fluctuate and decline in the future.

• Methanol market
• price fluctuation
• supply-side benefits
• weak demand

On January 16, 2025, the average price of coke in the market was 1,391 CNY per ton. Overall supply remains ample, but demand has weakened seasonally. Metallurgical coke prices in areas such as Handan, Jinzhong, and Tangshan have remained stable. It is expected that coke prices will continue to trade within a narrow range and remain relatively weak in the short term, lacking sufficient upward momentum.

• Coke market
• Price trend
• Supply and demand pattern
• Market forecast

From January 12 to 16, the price of MTBE increased from 4,750 CNY/ton to 4,796 CNY/ton, a price increase of 0.98%. The rise in international oil prices and improved gasoline demand have pushed up the transaction center of the MTBE market. It is expected that under the pressure of high raw material prices and cost pressures, the MTBE market in China will experience fluctuations and consolidation.

• MTBE market
• price trends
• crude oil prices
• gasoline demand

Since January 2026, the price of polyethylene has risen strongly, with the price increase of LDPE reaching up to 10.52%. This is mainly due to factors such as the geopolitical risks in Iran driving up crude oil costs and expectations of tighter supplies of imported high-pressure materials. Although the strengthening of futures has led to high and volatile spot prices, downstream resistance to high prices has increased, and it is expected that the upward trend will slow down in the short term.

• Polyethylene prices rise
• cost support
• tight supply
• off-season demand