Chemical Prices Today (June 4, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals traded with mixed momentum on June 4, as sharp gains in Dichloromethane (+5.25%), Acetonitrile (+4.08%), Sodium Carbonate (+3.44%), and Sulfur (+3.11%) were offset by significant declines in Ethylene Oxide (-10.53%), Hexane (-22.26%), and Lithium Carbonate (-2.35%). The rebound in Acetonitrile and Dichloromethane was supported by tighter spot availability and short-term replenishment demand, while Sulfur and Phosphoric Acid continued to benefit from firm fertilizer and industrial raw material consumption. Meanwhile, Lithium Carbonate extended its recent correction as market participants digested inventory liquidation and improving supply expectations despite resilient battery-sector demand. Industry sentiment remained cautious, with downstream buyers largely maintaining just-in-time procurement strategies amid uncertain macroeconomic and commodity market conditions. Recent market reports indicate that lithium prices remain volatile as traders unwind inventories and supply concerns gradually ease, while demand from energy storage and battery sectors continues to provide underlying support. In contrast, sulfur-related products remain comparatively firm due to ongoing global supply tightness and healthy downstream consumption.

Fine chemicals showed heightened volatility on June 4, with Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) surging 13.79% day-on-day, while PTMEG and Stearic Acid advanced 5.51% and 4.80%, respectively, supported by active replenishment demand and improving downstream consumption. PTMEG continued to benefit from resilient spandex and textile sector demand, with export activity remaining firm and industry operating rates relatively stable. In contrast, Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) fell 14.09% and Trichloroethylene declined 11.72%, reflecting inventory adjustments and cautious purchasing sentiment among downstream users. Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) also posted moderate gains as detergent and personal care manufacturers maintained steady procurement. Overall, the fine chemicals market remained highly product-specific, with supply-demand fundamentals and inventory conditions driving divergent price movements across individual products rather than broader sector-wide trends. Recent industry reports highlight continued recovery in textile and spandex markets, supporting PTMEG demand, while specialty chemical buyers generally favor short-cycle purchasing strategies amid ongoing uncertainty in feedstock and macroeconomic conditions.

Energy, plastics, and related chemical markets remained broadly subdued on June 4, although WTI Crude Oil advanced 2.13% and Asphalt gained 0.90% following stronger crude benchmarks and expectations of seasonal transportation fuel demand. Petroleum-linked products generally tracked upstream energy markets, with gasoline prices remaining stable while kerosene softened amid weaker aviation fuel procurement activity. In the plastics sector, ABS, PVC, and HDPE continued to face pressure from cautious downstream purchasing and ample market supply, with ABS extending its monthly decline to nearly 12%. Demand from construction, consumer goods, and manufacturing sectors remained uneven, limiting upward momentum for polymer prices despite relatively stable feedstock costs. Meanwhile, Activated Carbon prices edged lower as environmental treatment and industrial users maintained conservative procurement strategies. Overall, rising crude oil prices provided some support to the broader petrochemical value chain, but weak downstream demand and sufficient inventories continued to constrain price recovery across most plastics and derivative products.