ECHEMI Analysis

This week, factories in East China reduced their load, and the facilities of Silongbang and Jihua were shut down for maintenance, leading to a decrease in supply. Downstream users have been stocking up moderately, increasing demand. The acrylonitrile market has hit bottom and is undergoing consolidation, with prices fluctuating slightly. The rise in costs has led to increased production losses. It is expected that the market will rise later, but the room for rebound is limited.

• Supply cuts
• rising demand
• increasing costs
• market bottoming out and consolidating.

This week (119-23), the PVC spot market in China stopped falling and started to rise, with the average price of calcium carbide method SG-5 type at 4,560 CNY/ton, an increase of 222% within the week The atmosphere for price hikes on the supply side has gradually strengthened, with a slight decrease in operating rates, an increase in trading volume, and continuous inventory reduction On the cost side, the price of calcium carbide rebounded, increasing by 079% within the week

• PVC market
• price rebound
• improvement in supply and demand
• increase in calcium carbide cost

This week (2026.01.16-01.23), the polyester bottle chip market first declined and then rebounded, with both futures and spot prices rising in tandem. Strong cost support, tight supply, and the positive sentiment from futures driving spot prices led to the increase. As of January 23rd, the mainstream spot price in East China was 6,340-6,400 CNY/ton. It is expected that the short-term price will remain strong, operating within the range of 6,300-6,500 CNY/ton.

• Polyester bottle flakes
• prices are rising
• supply is tight
• cost support

This week, the caustic soda price showed a weak trend, decreasing from 690 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 668 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with a price decrease of 3.19%. The market supply is loose, and the downstream demand is moderate. It is expected that the caustic soda price will continue to maintain a weak consolidation in the short term.

• Caustic soda prices
• weak performance
• weak demand
• chemical industry index

This week, the styrene market price in China rose significantly, increasing from 7,196 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 7,650 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with a price increase of 6.31%. Multiple positive factors supported this price rise.

• Styrene
• Price Increase
• Market Dynamics
• Commodity Analysis

This week, the market price of aniline in China continued to rise, from 8,545 CNY/ton on January 19 to 8,745 CNY/ton on January 23, with a price increase of 2.34%. The cost was affected by the increase in the price of pure benzene and the reduction in supply, leading to low inventory levels in the aniline market. Downstream rigid demand entered the market, and it is expected that the market will consolidate in the short term.

• Aniline prices
• market rally
• pure benzene costs
• low supply and inventory

This week, the market price of isopropanol in China increased from 5,350 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 5,533.33 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 3.43%. The cost of raw material acetone rose, strengthening cost support, and manufacturers raised their quotations. Market confidence was good, with downstream buyers mainly purchasing according to their needs. It is expected that the market will remain strong in the short term.

• Isopropyl alcohol
• market price
• rise
• chemical analysis

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China increased, with industrial-grade products rising from 2,280 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 2,290 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price increase of 0.44%. The main driver was the rise in the price of upstream sulfur (+2.29%). It is expected that prices will maintain a volatile but relatively strong trend in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite
• price increase
• rising raw material costs
• market forecast

From January 19 to 23, the BDO price in China remained at 7,357 CNY/ton, a year-on-year decrease of 12.41%. The supply increased, but the growth in demand was limited, leading to a widening gap between market supply and demand. On the cost side, the price of calcium carbide increased, while methanol fluctuated. It is expected that the BDO market will mainly adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

• BDO Market
• Supply and Demand Analysis
• Cost-Related Impacts
• Future Market Forecast

From January 19 to 23, the methanol market price in the East China port of China rose to 2,283 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 2.93% during the period. The closing price of methanol futures at the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange increased by 2.96%. The supply side was positive, while the demand and cost sides were negative. With ample spot supply and high inventory in the mid-to-lower stream, it is expected that the market will mainly consolidate with fluctuations.

• Methanol market: Prices fluctuate
• supply declines
• demand remains weak.

From January 19 to 23, the price of MTBE rose from 4,776 CNY/ton to 4,806 CNY/ton, representing a price increase of 0.63%. Market demand has shown some improvement, and rising international oil prices have provided support. Asian markets closed at higher prices, while European and U.S. markets saw slight declines. The MTBE market is expected to continue its range-bound trading pattern.

• MTBE market
• price fluctuations
• crude oil impact
• demand changes

In late January 2025, the market price of cyclohexanone in Shandong, China, steadily rose to 6,550-6,600 CNY/ton, with a price increase of about 3.97%. This was mainly due to the support of rising pure benzene prices on the cost side and the tightening of supply. It is expected that the price will fluctuate within the range of 6,500-6,600 CNY/ton in the short term.

• Cyclohexanone Market
• Cost-Driven
• Price Increase
• Supply-Demand Relationship

This week, the market price of propylene oxide in China has significantly declined, mainly due to the restart of previously shut-down facilities and the release of new production capacity, leading to an increase in supply, while downstream demand has weakened. As of January 22, the benchmark price of propylene oxide was 8,133.33 CNY/ton, up 5.17% from the beginning of the month. It is expected that prices will mainly remain weak and stable in the short term.

• Propylene oxide prices
• increasing market supply
• weak demand
• changes in raw material costs

After New Year's Day, the adipic acid market in China was steadily pushed up by the rising prices of raw materials such as pure benzene and cyclohexanone. As of January 22, the average market price reached 7,466 CNY/ton, with a price increase of about 4.67%. However, analysts pointed out that due to stable terminal procurement demand, the momentum for further increases may be insufficient, and the market trend may decline.

• Adipic acid
• market price increase
• raw material support
• future forecast

In January 2026, the price of melamine in China remained at a high level, ranging from 5,633 to 5,666 CNY per ton. The stable market situation was formed by the combined effects of cost support (high urea prices), supply tightening (plant maintenance), and steady demand. Exports were stable, and the impact of imports was limited. Before and after the Spring Festival, the key variables will be the resumption of supply, raw material prices, and downstream demand.

• Melamine price
• cost support
• tightening supply
• market balance

Currently, the market demand for cyclohexane is relatively weak. Downstream industries such as synthetic fibers and coatings are operating at low capacity utilization rates, and export orders are limited. Overall, procurement is driven primarily by rigid demand. It is expected that cyclohexane market prices will remain stable but tend to stay on the weaker side in the short term.

• Cyclohexane Market
• Insufficient Downstream Demand
• Price Trends
• Future Market Forecast

Recently, the price of polyethylene has decreased, with LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE prices falling by 168%, 036%, and 034% respectively The market is under pressure due to a technical correction and weakening futures prices Cost support has weakened, with fewer maintenance shutdowns on the supply side and an expectation of increased imports On the demand side, it is weak due to insufficient downstream orders and the approaching Spring Festival

• Polyethylene prices
• increased market supply
• weakening cost support
• weak demand

After New Year's Day, the palm oil market in China fluctuated and rose, with the average market price increasing from 8,564 CNY/ton to 8,724 CNY/ton. Malaysia's palm oil exports from January 1-20 increased by 8.64%, but inventories rose by 7.58%. China's palm oil inventory is about 750,000 tons, with moderate demand, and further price increases are under pressure.

• Palm oil market conditions: price fluctuations
• inventory pressure
• moderate demand.

In mid-January, PP prices in China experienced a rise followed by a decline, with mixed price movements across different grades. The support from raw material costs began to weaken, while supply remained ample. Although demand showed some improvement, it is expected to weaken due to the holiday season. It is anticipated that the PP market will enter an adjustment period.

• PP prices
• cost support
• supply and demand
• market forecast

In mid-January, the Chinese PC market showed an upward trend at a low level, with spot prices for most grades increasing. Supply-side pressure eased, and the cost support for bisphenol A strengthened, while demand was in a tight balance. It is expected that the PC market will maintain a consolidating trend in the short term.

• PC market
• price trends
• supply conditions
• cost support