Chemical Prices Today (July 13, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic Chemicals prices generally moved higher on July 13, supported by firmer upstream energy and aromatics sentiment as well as selective downstream replenishment. Acetone recorded one of the strongest daily gains (+4.73%), driven by tighter spot availability and improved cost support from the benzene value chain, although its monthly performance remains more than 20% below prior levels, indicating the market is still recovering from earlier oversupply pressure. Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, Propylene, and Methanol also posted gains, reflecting stronger feedstock costs and improved trading sentiment. Meanwhile, Hydrochloric acid surged nearly 6% on the day amid regional supply tightening, while Acetic acid and Acetic anhydride edged higher on stable downstream procurement. On the downside, Propylene glycol experienced a sharp 9.0% correction due to weak demand and ample market supply, with Titanium dioxide, Hydrogen peroxide, Lithium carbonate, and Isopropyl alcohol also remaining under pressure from sluggish downstream consumption. Recent industry reports indicate that the acetone market continues to balance low inventories against seasonally soft demand, while fluctuations in benzene feedstock prices and operating rates at phenol-ketone facilities remain the key factors influencing short-term pricing across the basic chemicals sector. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Fine Chemicals prices remained broadly stable on July 13, indicating a balanced market with limited speculative trading activity. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) increased modestly by 0.45% day-on-day, supported by steady procurement from lithium battery electrolyte and environmentally friendly solvent applications, while its monthly gain of 0.83% suggests demand has remained resilient despite a generally cautious chemicals market. In contrast, Sodium metabisulfite edged down 0.08%, reflecting sufficient market supply and relatively weak purchasing activity from downstream sectors including food processing, water treatment and pulp & paper. Recent industry reports indicate that the global fine chemicals market continues to be influenced by fluctuations in raw material and energy costs, while buyers generally maintain a just-in-time procurement strategy amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions. Meanwhile, the Dimethyl carbonate market continues to benefit from long-term growth driven by lithium-ion battery and green solvent demand, although high domestic inventories and moderate battery-sector restocking have limited short-term price upside. Overall, the Fine Chemicals sector remains fundamentally stable, with demand from new energy applications providing support while conventional industrial consumption continues to recover gradually. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Energy and Plastic Chemicals markets remained resilient on July 13, with most domestic products posting moderate gains despite continued weakness in international crude oil prices. HDPE rose 1.33% and extended its weekly gain to 3.62%, while ABS increased 0.35%, supported by improved downstream restocking from packaging, home appliance and consumer goods manufacturers, as well as firmer feedstock costs. In the energy segment, Asphalt edged up 0.62% amid seasonal infrastructure and road construction demand, while Gasoline gained 0.38% as summer travel supported domestic fuel consumption. In contrast, WTI Crude Oil declined 1.39% on the day and remained more than 14% lower than a month ago, reflecting persistent concerns over global demand growth, easing geopolitical risk premiums and expectations of ample crude supply. Recent market developments suggest that weaker international oil prices have reduced cost pressure on petrochemical producers; however, relatively healthy downstream demand and disciplined operating rates have continued to support China's plastics market. Going forward, market participants are expected to closely monitor crude oil price movements, refinery operating rates and downstream manufacturing demand, which will remain the primary drivers of short-term price trends across the energy and plastics value chain.