ECHEMI Analysis

In November, China’s maleic anhydride market first declined and then rebounded. As of December 5, the average quoted price was 5,250 CNY per ton, down 2.33% from the beginning of the month. The supply side was significantly affected by Wanhua’s auction and the shutdown of a plant in Jiangsu. Upstream prices of pure benzene and n-butane both rose overall. Downstream demand for unsaturated resins remained weak. It is expected that the maleic anhydride market in December will mainly remain stable.

• Maleic anhydride market conditions
• price fluctuations
• market supply
• impact on upstream and downstream industrial chains

In November, the market for petroleum coke from independent refineries showed a downward trend, with the average price dropping from 2,82325 CNY/ton to 2,60325 CNY/ton—a price decrease of 779% Affected by fluctuations in international crude oil prices as well as supply and demand dynamics, the markets for medium- and high-sulfur calcined coke and electrolytic aluminum also experienced declines

• Petroleum coke market conditions
• petroleum coke from independent refineries
• international crude oil prices
• supply of metallic silicon

This week, the acrylonitrile market in China has been on a downward trend due to oversupply and weakening demand. Prices in East China and Shandong have fallen by 150 CNY/ton and 25 CNY/ton, respectively. The capacity utilization rate remained at 80.6%, with inventories increasing to 55,500 tons. Rising costs have led to production losses, and it is expected that the market will continue to face downward pressure in the short term.

• Overcapacity
• weakening demand
• rising costs
• declining market

This week, the spot market price of PVC in China fell from a high level, with the average price of calcium carbide method SG-5 type dropping to 4,400 CNY/ton, a decrease of 123% The supply and demand fundamentals are weak, with significant supply pressure, rising social inventory, and mediocre performance on the demand side The rise in the price of calcium carbide failed to sustainably drive up the price of PVC

• PVC Market
• Price Trends
• Supply-Demand Pressure
• Future Market Forecast

This week, the price of polyester bottle chips in China first rose and then fell. As of December 5th, the average selling price of PET was 5,785 CNY per ton. Cost fluctuations dominated the price, with obvious supply-side easing pressure and weak demand. It is expected that the price will consolidate weakly within the range of 5,700-5,850 CNY per ton next week.

• Polyester bottle flakes
• price fluctuations
• cost-side bargaining
• weak supply and demand

This week (Dec 1-5), the Chinese polymeric MDI market price showed a strong increase, with a weekly price increase of 092% In terms of supply, frequent maintenance announcements from major foreign factories have heightened expectations of tighter supply The cost of pure benzene fluctuated within a range, while the aniline market saw a decline from its high levels On the demand side, downstream buyers entered the market based on their needs, resisting high-priced supplies

• Polymerized MDI
• market price
• tightening supply
• cautious demand

Since November, the hydrogen peroxide market has continued to decline, falling from 930 CNY/ton on November 1 to 770 CNY/ton at the beginning of December, with a price decrease of 16.85%. The main reasons are loose supply and weak terminal demand. Although there was a slight increase in the middle and late part of the month, the overall trend remains downward, and it is expected that the market will continue to weaken.

• Hydrogen peroxide market
• prices falling
• low demand
• supply pressure

This week, the market price of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in China remained stable, with the benchmark price of hydrofluoric acid at 12,733.33 CNY/ton, a 1.6% increase from the end of last month. The high price of raw material sulfuric acid has increased cost pressure; the price of fluorspar is weak and stable. Demand is weak, and overall consumption capacity is insufficient. It is expected that the market will continue to operate in a weak and stable manner in the later period.

• Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride
• market price
• cost pressure
• weak demand

As of December 5, the DOP price rose to 7,209.16 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 2.12%. Due to rising costs and a decrease in operating rates to 64%, DOP supply has decreased. The price of 2-ethylhexanol increased to 7,066.67 CNY/ton, with a price increase of 6.27%, driving up the cost of DOP. It is expected that the DOP price will remain strong and stable in the future.

• DOP prices rise
• costs increase
• supply decreases
• isooctanol prices surge significantly.

This week, the focus of China's titanium dioxide market shifted upward. The average price of sulfate process rutile titanium dioxide increased from 13,500 CNY/ton to 13,640 CNY/ton, a price increase of 1.04%. Despite companies raising quotes due to cost pressure, demand remains weak, mainly driven by essential needs, and there is a strong wait-and-see sentiment in the market. It is expected that the market will maintain a firm trend in the short term.

• Titanium dioxide market
• price hike
• cost pressure
• wait-and-see sentiment

This week, the price of 2-ethylhexanol increased significantly by 627% to 7,06667 CNY per ton, mainly due to decreased production, reduced supply, and strengthened cost support The operating rate of manufacturers dropped to 74%, and production fell to 60,000 tons The price of propylene, a raw material, increased by 053%, enhancing cost support The price of downstream DOP rose by 212%, but demand support weakened

• Prices of isooctanol are rising
• operating rates are declining
• propylene costs are increasing
• DOP prices are experiencing volatile increases.

The recent formic acid market in China has been operating stably, with supply contracting due to maintenance and production cuts by enterprises. Despite the inventory being at a medium to high level and weak demand, the ample inventory supports stable prices. It is expected that the formic acid market prices in China will remain stable in the short term.

• Supply contraction
• high inventory levels
• subdued demand
• stable prices

This week, the price of activated carbon increased from 12,833 CNY/ton to 12,866 CNY/ton, a price increase of 0.26%. Strong demand for coconut shell activated carbon in China, along with increased import costs and a supply shortage in Southeast Asia, has led to the price increase. It is expected that prices will continue to fluctuate at high levels in the short term.

• Activated carbon prices
• coconut shell activated carbon
• growing demand
• supply shortages

This week, the isopropyl alcohol market price in China fell from 5408.34 CNY/ton at the beginning of the week to 5183.33 CNY/ton at the end of the week, with a price decrease of 4.16%. The price of raw material acetone decreased, market confidence was insufficient, trading atmosphere was poor, and downstream demand was weak. It is expected that the short-term market will mainly be in a weak consolidation.

• Isopropanol prices
• market decline
• chemical market
• future forecast

This week, the price of sodium metabisulfite in China remained stable, with the average price of industrial-grade sodium metabisulfite staying at 2,200 CNY per ton. The prices of upstream soda ash and sulfur increased by 0.48% and 2.76%, respectively, while the price of downstream caprolactam rose by 0.72%. It is expected that the market price of sodium metabisulfite will mainly show a strong fluctuation trend in the short term.

• Sodium metabisulfite price
• market price is stable
• cost is rising
• fluctuating with a slightly strong trend

From December 1st to 5th, the BDO price in China remained at 7,385 CNY/ton, a decrease of 077% month-over-month and a decrease of 1398% year-over-year The market continues to see a balance between supply and demand, with limited price fluctuations The supply side has weak support, while the cost side is positively affected by the increase in the prices of calcium carbide and methanol However, the demand side is negatively impacted by the decline in downstream operations

• BDO market
• supply-and-demand dynamics
• favorable cost factors
• weak demand.

From December 1 to 5, the price of ethanol in China rose to 5,343 CNY/ton, up 1.81% week-over-week and down 1.27% year-over-year. The slight increase in corn prices supported costs, while the supply side was slightly bearish due to the resumption of production by several companies. Demand improved somewhat as ethyl acetate plants restarted, but overall it remained bearish. It is expected that the short-term ethanol market will experience narrow fluctuations.

• Ethanol market
• favorable cost aspect
• slightly negative supply aspect
• slightly negative demand aspect

This week, the market price of phenol in China fell significantly, with Sinopec's listed price in East China dropping to 6,000 CNY per ton, a price decrease of 6.54%. Adequate supply but weak demand led to insufficient market transactions, causing prices to continue to fall. It is expected that the market will continue to operate at a low level, with tight supply and demand relations being the main factor.

• Phenol market: prices decline
• ample supply
• weak demand

From November 28 to December 5, the price of methanol in the East China port of the Chinese market first rose and then fell to 2075 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.89%. The closing price of methanol futures on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange fell by 1.94%. The supply side was favorable due to plant maintenance, but the demand and cost sides were bearish. It is expected that the market trend will remain weak.

• Methanol Market
• Market Analysis
• Futures Prices
• Supply-Demand Relationship

In November, the marine fuel market in East China experienced a fluctuating downward trend, with the average price of 180CST fuel oil falling from 5400 CNY/ton to 5337.50 CNY/ton. International crude oil prices also showed a fluctuating downward trend, and fuel oil inventories in Singapore and Fujairah increased. It is expected that in December, the Chinese marine fuel market will be supported by rising crude oil prices, but demand will mainly be driven by essential needs.

• Marine fuel market
• fuel oil prices
• international crude oil trends
• inventory changes