ECHEMI Analysis

This week, the PVC market in China fluctuated at a low level, with prices hovering around 5,000 CNY per ton. The cost side provided support, and supply decreased due to spring inspections. However, weak demand, weakening exports, and high inventory levels suppressed any rebound. It is expected that the market will maintain a range-bound fluctuation in the short term, while in the medium term, attention should be paid to the improvement in supply and demand.

• PVC market
• low-level fluctuation
• supply and demand competition
• impact of spring maintenance

This week, the price of polyester bottle chips fluctuated at a high level, with the weekly average price increasing by about 2% compared to the previous week The cost side was supported by the rise in crude oil and PTA prices, and the supply was tight, but the weak recovery in demand limited the price increase It is expected that the price will remain in the range of 8,500-9,000 CNY/ton in the short term

• Polyester bottle flake prices
• cost support
• tight supply
• weak recovery in demand

This week, the caustic soda price in China showed a weak trend, with the average price decreasing from 716 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 678 CNY/ton by the end of the week, a price decrease of 5.31%. The prices in Shandong, Zhejiang, and Inner Mongolia regions varied. Overall, the supply increased, but inventory clearance was slow. Downstream purchasing was cautious, and it is expected that the market may continue to consolidate in the future.

• Caustic soda prices
• market conditions
• inventory pressure
• downstream demand

This week, the styrene market prices in China showed a weak downward trend, decreasing from 9,920 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 9,830 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with a price decrease of 0.91%.

• Styrene
• Market Analysis
• Price Decline
• Weekly Report

This week, the price of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride remained stable at a high level The benchmark price of hydrofluoric acid was 15,100 CNY per ton, up 295% from the beginning of the month The increase in fluorspar supply has led to a weakening in prices, while the price increase of sulfuric acid has slowed but remains at a high level, providing support for the cost of hydrofluoric acid Downstream demand for refrigerants is good, but purchases are cautious

• Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride
• stable pricing
• raw material cost support
• cautious downstream demand

This week (4.20-4.24), the Chinese polymeric MDI market price showed a weak decline, with a decrease of 2.72% within the week. In terms of supply, BASF Shanghai and Kumho in South Korea were undergoing plant maintenance. On the cost side, the price of pure benzene fluctuated upward. The demand from downstream was light, and it is expected that the market will show a narrow range fluctuation in the future.

• Polymeric MDI
• market price
• supply side
• demand side

In April, the price of adipic acid in China fell by 12%, from 10,833 CNY/ton to 9,533 CNY/ton. The main reasons were weaker cost support, increased supply, and weak demand. It is expected that the market will continue to fluctuate and decline in May, with prices ranging between 8,500 and 9,300 CNY/ton.

• Cost support weakens
• supply increases
• weak demand
• market prices fall.

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China rose slightly, with the average price of industrial-grade products increasing from 3966 CNY/ton to 3980 CNY/ton, a 0.34% price increase. The main driver was a 1.40% rise in the price of the upstream raw material, sulfur. It is expected that in the short term, the price of sodium metabisulfite will maintain a strong and volatile trend.

• Sodium metabisulfite
• price increase
• sulfur
• cost support

As of April 24, the price of ethanol in China fell to 5,930 CNY/ton, with a decrease of 0.27% within the period. The supply side is favorable, but demand is weak. The cost of corn, which initially weakened and then strengthened, is expected to support ethanol prices later on. Currently, the price of ethanol is at a one-year high, and analysts expect the market to mainly consolidate.

• Ethanol price
• Market trend
• Cost aspect
• Demand aspect

In April, the market price of cyclohexane in China remained stable In mid-month, there was a slight increase due to plant maintenance and fluctuations in international crude oil prices After the supply recovered in the latter part of the month, the prices stabilized In terms of demand, the demand from the nylon industry was average, while the demand from the solvent industry was stable but affected by environmental policies

• Cyclohexane market
• price trend
• supply and demand balance
• future market forecast

This week, the price of 180CST fuel oil in East China fell to 6100 CNY/ton, a decrease of 5.61% from last week. The demand for marine fuel in China is weak, and there are significant fluctuations in international crude oil prices. Fuel oil inventories in Singapore decreased by 1.164 million barrels to 22.501 million barrels. It is expected that the market will mainly focus on consolidation in the near future.

• fuel oil 180CST
• price decline
• weak demand
• fluctuations in international crude oil market

In late April, the Chinese ABS market continued to decline, with the average price dropping by 1449% compared to the beginning of the month The supply side remained generally stable, but cost factors and weak demand led to a decrease in prices In terms of costs, the upstream three materials all fell; on the demand side, the operating conditions of downstream enterprises were mediocre, and terminal consumption was sluggish

• ABS market
• declining costs
• weak demand
• rising inventory

As of April 23, 2026, the price of acrylic acid in East China has fallen by 4.83% to 12,483.33 CNY/ton this month, confirming the downward trend with a negative average difference. The price decline is driven by ample supply, weak demand, and weakening cost support. It is expected that the price will remain weak and volatile in the short term, with a core fluctuation range of 12,000-12,500 CNY/ton.

• Acrylic acid prices have fallen
• a bearish trend has been established
• the supply and demand dynamics have changed
• cost support has weakened.

Recently, the market price of ethyl acetate in China has been continuously declining The price on April 22 was 6,800 CNY/ton, a decrease of 901% compared to April 11 Adverse cost factors, a reduction in the price of upstream acetic acid, insufficient downstream demand, and increased supply have led to a strong bearish sentiment in the market

• Ethyl acetate prices have fallen
• market demand is weak
• cost factors are bearish
• supply has increased.

In April 2026, the ethylene glycol price in China was weak and fluctuating, with the average price decreasing from 5120.33 CNY/ton to 5058.33 CNY/ton. Port inventory decreased by 110,000 tons to 843,000 tons. Weak demand and increased supply led to the price decline. It is expected that in May, the price will first decrease and then increase, showing a stronger fluctuation trend.

• Ethylene glycol prices
• inventory changes
• supply and demand relationship
• market forecast

From April 13 to 23, the average market price of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate in China increased from 1820 CNY/ton to 1850 CNY/ton, a price increase of 165% The price of metallurgical-grade ammonium sulfate fell due to weakened downstream demand, while the demand for caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate remained stable, keeping its price firm

• Ammonium sulfate market
• price fluctuations
• supply and demand situation
• future market outlook

In mid to late April, as the peak season for spring plowing ends, the operating rates of agricultural film factories in China decrease, and downstream demand becomes weak The support from maintenance weakens, leading to an increase in corporate inventories, and the supply-demand contradiction widens The fluctuating situation in the Middle East causes oil price volatility, making the cost support unstable

• Polyethylene prices have fallen
• spring plowing demand has weakened
• maintenance support has weakened
• cost instability

Since mid-April, the Chinese PC market has seen a decline from high levels, with the spot price generally decreasing. Although supply-side support is still acceptable, the weakening of raw material bisphenol A prices and sluggish demand have led to a reduction in PC cost values and demand support. It is expected that in the short term, the PC market may continue to decline. Technical indicators suggest that the recent downward trend in PC prices may accelerate.

• PC market conditions: raw material prices are softening
• demand remains sluggish
• supply contraction is limited.

Recently, the market price of acetic acid has dropped sharply—from 4,750 CNY/ton on April 11 to 3,966.67 CNY/ton on April 22, representing a price decrease of 16.49%. The price of the raw material methanol has also fallen slightly, weakening cost support. Coupled with weak downstream demand, the price of acetic anhydride has also been significantly reduced. It is expected that the acetic acid market will remain in a weak and consolidating trend in the short term.

• Acetic acid market conditions: prices are falling
• market supply is increasing
• cost support is weakening.

In late April, the PP market in China experienced a slight decline after a period of high volatility, with price levels increasing by 0.18% compared to the beginning of the month. The support from raw material costs has weakened, and while supply has increased somewhat, demand remains cautious. It is expected that PP prices may still have room for further declines, and attention should be paid to international crude oil prices and maritime shipping conditions in the Middle East.

• PP market conditions
• cost support
• supply recovery
• demand in a wait-and-see stance