ECHEMI Analysis

In 2025, China's general-purpose plastics industry saw a significant increase in production; however, due to the impact of the global trade environment and geopolitical factors, prices declined. Chinese demand continued to grow steadily, import dependency kept declining, and export markets faced challenges. It is expected that the supply-demand imbalance will persist in 2026, keeping prices at low levels.

• General plastics industry
• market demand and capacity expansion
• import and export trade
• industrial upgrading and cost pressure

In 2025, the overall price of hydrogen peroxide in China increased by 10.95%, but the supply-demand contradiction limited the upward trend. The supply side added 4,850,000 tons of new capacity, while demand was weak. It is expected that in 2026, the market will still experience wide fluctuations, with a price range of 700-1000 CNY/ton, affected by overcapacity and slowing demand growth.

• Hydrogen peroxide market conditions
• supply-demand contradiction
• overcapacity
• price fluctuations

In 2025, the price of lithium carbonate followed a V-shaped trend: in the first half of the year, it fell to the cost line due to oversupply and weak demand; in the second half, it rebounded driven by the energy storage market By 2026, supply and demand are expected to tighten and reach a balanced state China will add approximately 500,000 to 600,000 tons of new capacity, while overseas additions will be around 300,000 to 350,000 tons

• Lithium carbonate prices
• growing demand for energy storage
• tight supply-demand balance
• slowing growth in new-energy vehicle sales.

In December, the maleic anhydride market in China continued to decline. As of December 24, the average market price was 5112.50 CNY/ton, a decrease of 2.85% from the beginning of the month. In terms of supply, major factories have lowered their prices, and downstream users are mainly focused on digesting previous orders. Upstream n-butane has been fluctuating and rising due to the increase in Saudi CP. It is expected that the maleic anhydride market may see an upward trend in the near future.

• Maleic anhydride market conditions: prices are falling
• supply is decreasing
• market forecast

As of December 25, the price of phthalic anhydride in neighboring China was 5633.33 CNY/ton, an increase of 1.81% from December 22. Costs have stabilized, and the operating rate has increased to 75%, with ample supply. The operating load of downstream DOP enterprises has risen, increasing demand support. It is expected that the price of phthalic anhydride will continue to rebound and rise.

• Phthalic anhydride prices
• Market rebound
• Supply and demand changes
• Cost stability

In 2025, the price of acrylic acid continued to decline due to oversupply, with no effective rebound throughout the year The total capacity increased to 4,400,000 tons, and it is expected that 740,000 tons will be added in 2026 Exports provided limited relief for the oversupply pressure, and there was a high dependence on imported high-end products In the future, the industry needs to shift towards high-end, green technology, and integrated industrial chains

• Acrylic acid market
• Overcapacity
• Technological innovation
• High-end development

Recently, the price center of polyethylene has shifted downward, with the average prices of LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE falling by 324%, 232%, and 323%, respectively Manufacturers' willingness to ship goods has increased, but demand is in the off-season, and downstream demand is weak The supply side has seen the release of new production capacity, and the rebound in crude oil prices has provided some support to the cost side

• Polyethylene prices decline
• weak demand
• increased supply
• cost factors provide support.

As of December 24, the average price of 85% industrial-grade phosphoric acid in China was 6,830 CNY per ton, down 0.44% from last week. In terms of the market, factory quotations in Hubei, Yunnan, and Sichuan regions are around 6,600-7,000 CNY per ton. On the cost side, the price of yellow phosphorus has decreased, and market demand is insufficient. It is expected that the phosphoric acid market prices will remain weak and consolidate in the short term.

• Phosphoric acid prices
• market analysis
• cost support
• future market forecast

As of December 24, the average market price of acetic acid in China rose to 2,720 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 2.26%. The supply side is recovering slowly from maintenance, and inventory levels are low. Downstream inquiries have increased, and market sentiment is positive. The price of raw material methanol is showing a strong fluctuation, supporting the rise in acetic acid prices. It is expected that the acetic acid market in China will continue to operate strongly in the later period.

• Acetic acid market: prices rise
• supply tightens
• methanol provides support.

In 2025, the melamine market in China first declined and then rebounded, ending the year with a 10.24% drop. At the end of the year, it rebounded to 5675.00, but weak demand and supply pressure dominated the market throughout the year. In 2026, demand will determine the market trend, which may show range-bound fluctuations. Exports will be a key variable; if exports are strong, prices are likely to rise; otherwise, they may bottom out again.

• Melamine Market
• Demand-Driven
• Price Trends
• Impact of Exports

In 2025, the Chinese refined oil market experienced a downturn, with gasoline and diesel prices falling by 10.14% and 9.94%, respectively. Influenced by multiple factors—including costs, supply, and demand—international crude oil prices are expected to see a slight downward shift in 2026. As a result, China’s refined oil supply and demand will continue to face pressure, and overall gasoline and diesel prices are likely to remain lower than their 2025 levels.

• 2025 Refined Oil Market Outlook
• Refined Oil Price Trends
• Impact of the Crude Oil Market
• Impact of New Energy Vehicles

On December 22-23, the polyester bottle flake market experienced a strong upward trend, with the average price of PET reaching 5,772 CNY per ton The primary driving force behind this rally was cost-side support, including rising prices of international crude oil and PTA Sentiment in the futures market remains bullish; however, demand remains in the off-season, with actual demand yet to improve, resulting in a market pattern characterized by "high quotes followed by lower ones

• Polyester bottle chips
• cost support
• futures market impact
• off-season demand

Recently, the dichloromethane market in China has been operating weakly, with the average price in Shandong region at 1710 CNY/ton, a weekly decline of 447% High production rates and weak domestic demand have led to a supply-demand imbalance, making exports the main channel for absorbing excess capacity The decline in liquid chlorine prices and the rise in methanol prices have compressed profit margins for enterprises

• Dichloromethane
• weak market
• supply-demand imbalance
• export dependency

In mid-December, the price of 180CST fuel oil in China first rose and then fell. As of December 23, the average price was 5,350.00 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.15% compared to December 10. The marine fuel market was supported by tight tax invoices, but shipping demand was weak. Singapore's fuel oil inventories fell to a four-week low. It is expected that the 180CST market will consolidate narrowly in the near future.

• Fuel oil market
• marine fuel market
• international crude oil
• Singapore fuel oil inventories

On December 22, PTA prices rose sharply, with the 2605 contract closing at 5,040 CNY/ton The spot market price stood at 4,879 CNY/ton, representing a price increase of 304% International oil prices were boosted by geopolitical factors Although PX plant operations remained largely unchanged, prices were supported by these developments The operating rate in the PTA industry is around 73%, and supply increases remain limited

• PTA price
• crude oil futures
• PX price
• polyester demand

On December 22, the price of Chinese polyester staple fiber rose significantly to 6,370 CNY per ton, representing a price increase of 1.19%. Influenced by geopolitical conflicts, international oil prices have risen, providing strong support for PX and PTA prices. However, weak downstream demand has dampened the purchasing enthusiasm of yarn mills, creating resistance to further increases in staple fiber prices.

• Polyester staple fiber
• rising oil prices
• PTA market
• weakening terminal demand

From December 1st to 22nd, the Chinese natural rubber spot market experienced a period of fluctuation and consolidation, with prices around 14,950 CNY/ton, representing a 034% increase from the beginning of the month The inventory of natural rubber continued to rise to 515,200 tons, exerting a bearish influence on the market Although raw material prices remained high, they are expected to fall Additionally, the operating rate of downstream tire manufacturers slightly decreased

• Natural rubber
• market fluctuates
• inventory increases
• tire production rate decreases

By the end of 2025, the Chinese PP market is showing a weak trend, with more price declines than increases. The cost support for raw materials is acceptable, but the supply is ample. On the demand side, due to the neutral outcome of the economic conference and external factors, downstream companies have low intentions to build inventory, leading to difficulty in supporting the PP spot price. It is expected that the PP price will continue to maintain a weak and fluctuating trend in the future.

• PP market: Prices are weak
• demand is insufficient
• supply is abundant.

From December 1st to 22nd, the market price of polybutadiene rubber in China increased by 4.03% to 11,090 CNY/ton, mainly due to the cost support from the 10.26% rise in the price of butadiene to 7,700 CNY/ton. Despite a slight increase in the facility utilization rate in China, the operating rate of downstream tire production decreased, leading to weaker demand. It is expected that the market will mainly undergo consolidation and fluctuation in the short term.

• cis-polybutadiene rubber
• cost support
• market conditions
• tire production start-up

Recently (December 1-22), the SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) market trend has risen, with prices increasing from 11,025 CNY/ton to 11,400 CNY/ton. In terms of costs, the price of butadiene has increased by 10.26%, while the price of styrene has slightly decreased. The facility utilization rate of SBR in China has slightly dropped to 79%, and downstream tire production has slightly declined. It is expected that the market will mainly undergo consolidation in the short term.

• Styrene-butadiene rubber
• market conditions
• cost support
• tire utilization rate