ECHEMI Analysis

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

December 22, the price of caustic soda remained stable, with the market average price at 748 CNY/ton, a year-on-year decrease of 159% In Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, the prices for 32% ion-membrane alkali were 690-780 CNY/ton and 760-870 CNY/ton, respectively, while in Inner Mongolia, the price was 2100-2200 CNY/ton (on a hundred percent basis) The supply and demand situation remained unchanged, with general demand from downstream alumina

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

In December, phthalic anhydride prices fluctuated and declined, with a price decrease of 3.77%. The drop in o-xylene prices led to lower costs, while the supply of phthalic anhydride remained ample. Meanwhile, downstream DOP manufacturers saw their operating rates decline, resulting in weaker demand. It is expected that phthalic anhydride prices will continue to trend downward in the near term.

• Phthalic anhydride prices have fallen
• costs have decreased
• demand is weak
• supply has increased.

On December 22 at 24:00, China's retail oil prices saw their twelfth reduction of the year, with gasoline prices decreasing by 170 CNY per ton and diesel prices by 165 CNY per ton The main reasons were the decline in international oil prices and weak demand In the short term, it is expected that international oil prices will remain weak and volatile, and the cost support for China's refined oil market will be limited

• Refined oil price adjustments
• crude oil market conditions
• gasoline demand
• diesel market

On December 19, PET polyester bottle chips saw a strong rebound, with an average selling price of 5772 CNY/ton, and the main futures contract rose by 176% The cost of crude oil, PX, and PTA increased, leading to higher factory quotes Supply remained stable, with new facilities undergoing trial runs, but inventory pressure still exists Demand was mainly from rigid demand procurement, with cautious trading

• PET polyester bottle flakes
• rebound
• cost support
• ample supply

This week, the styrene market in China showed a weak downward trend. The average price dropped from 6,774 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 6,716 CNY/ton by the end of the week, with an overall price decrease of 0.86%.

• Styrene Market
• Price Decline
• Weekly Analysis
• Chemical Products

This week, the market price of propylene oxide in China declined, with the benchmark price at 7,850 CNY/ton, an increase of 1.29% from the beginning of the month. The price of raw material propylene slightly dropped, with insufficient cost support; the supply side saw increased capacity and ample inventory, while demand was weak, resulting in limited market transactions. It is expected that the propylene oxide market will remain stable but slightly weak in the short term.

• Propylene oxide prices
• raw material propylene
• market supply and demand
• price trend forecast