Chemical Prices Today (July 21, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

China's Basic Chemicals market showed mixed performance on July 21, with upstream energy and feedstock fluctuations continuing to shape pricing trends. Ammonium chloride surged 11.39% day-on-day, supported by firmer fertilizer demand and improved procurement from agricultural distributors, while Aniline, Benzene, Ethylene glycol, PET, and Magnesium sulfate also advanced amid stronger downstream replenishment and stable petrochemical operating rates. In contrast, Lithium carbonate, Ammonium nitrate, Acetone, and Methanol moved lower as cautious buying interest, sufficient spot supply, and weaker market sentiment weighed on prices. Notably, Ferrous sulfate plunged more than 36% from the previous day, reflecting sharp transaction adjustments following earlier price gains and uneven downstream purchasing. Meanwhile, aromatic solvents including Toluene and Xylene maintained weekly strength alongside firmer crude-linked feedstock costs, although monthly performance across most bulk chemicals remained under pressure. Recent industry news also indicates that lithium carbonate prices continue to soften despite healthy battery-sector orders, as the market increasingly prices in expectations of future supply growth rather than current demand fundamentals, while broader commodity markets remain sensitive to feedstock cost movements and downstream restocking activity.

China's Fine Chemicals market experienced significant volatility on July 21, driven by a combination of supply adjustments and downstream procurement activity. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) recorded the strongest gain, surging 20.44% day-on-day as tighter spot availability and active replenishment from pharmaceutical and industrial users supported prices. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) also climbed 11.63%, reflecting constrained supply following maintenance at several production facilities and improved export inquiries, while Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) posted a moderate increase on firmer demand from electrolyte and solvent applications. On the downside, Sorbitol fell 18.03% and Sodium thiosulfate declined 8.56% as sufficient inventories and slower downstream purchasing weighed on transaction prices. PTMEG retreated 8.43% despite remaining higher on a weekly basis, with spandex producers maintaining cautious procurement amid soft profit margins, while Oleic acid also weakened due to subdued demand from surfactant and lubricant sectors. Industry news suggests that China's fine chemical market continues to be influenced by uneven downstream recovery, maintenance-related supply disruptions, and improving demand from new energy materials, resulting in greater price differentiation across specialty chemical products.

China's Energy, Rubber, Plastics and Other Chemicals market remained broadly stable on July 21, with movements primarily driven by energy feedstocks and downstream manufacturing demand. Anthracite posted the strongest daily gain, rising 11.11% as tighter regional coal supply and replenishment by industrial users supported prices. Gasoline and Lead also edged higher, benefiting from firmer crude oil sentiment and steady demand from the transportation and battery sectors. In contrast, Kerosene declined 2.38% following softer seasonal demand and ample market supply, while Carbon Black continued to weaken amid cautious procurement from the tire industry despite remaining above last month's levels. Within the plastics segment, ABS and HDPE recorded slight declines as sufficient inventories and conservative downstream purchasing limited upward momentum. Asphalt also eased marginally despite ongoing infrastructure activity, reflecting stable refinery production and balanced spot supply. Industry news indicates that recent fluctuations in international crude oil prices continue to influence domestic energy and petrochemical markets, while demand from construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors remains uneven, leading to differentiated price performance across energy, rubber, plastics, and industrial materials.