Chemical Prices Today (July 10, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

China's Basic Chemicals market remained mixed on July 10, with aromatics showing stronger momentum while several bulk feedstocks continued to face downward pressure. Toluene (+3.82%), Xylene (+3.52%), Sulfur (+2.11%), Propylene glycol (+1.96%), Hexane (+1.90%), Isopropyl alcohol (+1.60%) and Propylene (+1.14%) advanced on improved refinery economics and firmer downstream replenishment demand. In contrast, Hydrochloric acid (-10.64%) posted the largest decline as oversupply and sluggish chlor-alkali consumption continued to pressure prices, while Formaldehyde, Sodium carbonate, Phenol, Benzene, Methanol, Lithium carbonate, and Acetone also weakened amid cautious procurement and sufficient market inventories. Market sentiment was supported by firmer activity across the aromatics value chain and continued attention to refinery operating rates and crude oil fluctuations, although downstream buyers largely maintained a hand-to-mouth purchasing strategy. Recent industry updates also highlighted stronger trading in China's aromatics market, ongoing adjustments in petrochemical operating rates, and continued volatility across the crude oil and PX value chain, contributing to differentiated price movements among upstream chemical products. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

China's Fine Chemicals market exhibited notable volatility on July 10, driven by supply-side adjustments and selective downstream replenishment. Sodium thiosulfate (+10.61%) recorded the strongest gain as industrial demand improved and suppliers maintained firm quotations amid tighter spot availability. Lauric acid (+7.14%) also rose sharply, supported by higher imported feedstock costs and steady demand from the surfactant and personal care sectors. PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol) increased 3.51% as producers benefited from improved spandex operating rates and firmer cost support from the upstream BDO market. In contrast, Activated carbon declined 10.00%, reflecting sufficient inventories and slower procurement from water treatment and environmental protection industries despite remaining significantly higher on a monthly basis. Potassium Citrate edged down 1.10% as the food and pharmaceutical additives market remained adequately supplied with buyers continuing to purchase on demand. Overall, recent industry developments indicate that raw material cost fluctuations, operating rate adjustments across specialty chemical producers, and cautious downstream purchasing continue to create differentiated pricing trends across China's fine chemicals market.

The Energy and Plastics market showed divergent performance on July 10, with plastics significantly outperforming the energy sector. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) surged 40.78% day-on-day, substantially outperforming other products. Given that the magnitude of the increase is inconsistent with normal daily market fluctuations, the movement is likely attributable to a quotation adjustment, specification change, or data correction rather than a fundamental shift in market supply and demand, and should be interpreted with caution. ABS edged up 0.35%, supported by stable downstream demand from the home appliance and automotive industries alongside relatively firm feedstock costs. On the energy side, WTI Crude Oil fell 2.70% as concerns over global demand and profit-taking following recent gains weighed on international oil prices, while Gasoline declined 1.08% in line with weaker crude benchmarks and relatively subdued domestic fuel consumption. Overall, the decline in crude oil continued to ease cost support for downstream petrochemicals, while plastics prices remained comparatively resilient due to selective restocking and stable manufacturing demand, resulting in differentiated market performance across the energy and polymer value chain.