Chemical Prices Today (July 14, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic Chemicals recorded a broad-based rebound on July 14, led by notable gains in Ethylene glycol (+3.90%), Methanol (+3.86%), Propylene (+3.70%), Benzene (+2.70%), Phenol (+2.63%), and Toluene (+2.10%), as stronger crude oil and aromatics sentiment supported upstream petrochemical values. Acetic acid extended its upward trend on improving downstream procurement and tighter spot availability, while Acetone continued to recover on firmer solvent demand despite remaining nearly 20% below month-ago levels. In contrast, Phosphoric Acid, Formaldehyde, Urea, and Potassium carbonate weakened as fertilizer and industrial demand remained subdued. Mineral oil surged more than 76% day-on-day, representing an exceptional market movement likely driven by supply adjustments or specification-related transactions rather than broad market fundamentals. Industry News: Recent global chemical market sentiment has improved as higher energy prices, ongoing shipping bottlenecks, and Middle East supply uncertainties supported aromatics and petrochemical feedstocks, although analysts continue to expect downstream demand to remain cautious and overall chemical markets volatile through the second half of the year. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Fine Chemicals market remained generally stable on July 14, with selective upward momentum supported by improving downstream demand. Tetrahydrofuran (PTMEG) advanced 1.20% day-on-day and recorded a strong 12.00% weekly gain, reflecting tighter spot supply and resilient purchasing from the spandex industry amid healthy operating rates. Dimethyl carbonate also edged higher by 0.87% as steady demand from lithium battery electrolytes and polycarbonate production continued to support market fundamentals. Meanwhile, Sodium metabisulfite remained largely stable with only a marginal decline of 0.10%, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions across food preservation, water treatment, and industrial applications. Industry News: Sentiment across the fine chemicals sector has been supported by continued growth in new energy materials and high-performance polymer demand, while cautious procurement by traditional industrial consumers and relatively stable raw material costs have limited broader price volatility, leaving specialty chemical markets fundamentally resilient despite mixed macroeconomic conditions.

Energy and Plastic Chemicals markets strengthened significantly on July 14, driven by a sharp rally in upstream energy prices and improving sentiment across the petrochemical value chain. WTI Crude Oil surged 9.86% day-on-day, providing strong cost support for downstream products amid renewed geopolitical concerns and expectations of tighter global crude supply. Supported by higher feedstock costs, Gasoline prices increased 1.50%, while the plastics sector also moved higher, with ABS rising 4.58% and HDPE gaining 2.85% as producers passed through higher raw material costs and downstream buyers replenished inventories. Although monthly performance remains mixed, the latest rebound suggests that strengthening energy markets are improving confidence across the plastics industry. Industry News: Global petrochemical markets have recently been supported by firmer crude oil prices, supply disruptions in key producing regions, and expectations of seasonal demand recovery during the third quarter. However, market participants remain cautious as uncertain global economic growth and downstream manufacturing demand continue to limit the sustainability of price increases, leaving both energy and plastics markets sensitive to further developments in crude oil fundamentals.