Chemical Prices Today (August 25, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals traded on a broadly mixed tone, with several solvent and glycol products strengthening while selected commodities corrected. Dichloromethane recorded the strongest daily gain at 3.71%, supported by tight spot availability, low inventories and expectations of further supply-side constraints amid tighter international regulatory requirements. Ethyl acetate also rose 4.15%, as East and North China markets continued to show firmer producer offers and improving sentiment. Meanwhile, Ethylene glycol increased 3.18% to CNY 5,683/ton, extending its monthly gain to 12.36%, with low East China port inventories and concentrated domestic maintenance keeping the near-term supply balance tight. Propylene glycol gained 2.87%, while Acetone rose 1.69%; acetone remained at a relatively elevated level, with the August 25 benchmark already up more than 17% from the beginning of the month. On the aromatic side, Benzene and Toluene edged higher, reflecting low benzene inventories and continued cost support from the energy complex, while Xylene remained unchanged on the day but retained a strong 10.74% monthly increase. In contrast, Lithium carbonate fell 3.21% and Isopropyl alcohol declined 3.15%, indicating continued profit-taking and softer spot sentiment in selected markets. Overall, the chemical market remains characterized by a divergence between supply-driven strength in glycols and chlorinated solvents and demand- or sentiment-driven corrections in several other products.

Fine chemicals showed a highly divergent trading pattern, with most products remaining stable while several niche chemicals experienced sharp daily corrections or rebounds. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) recorded the strongest move, surging 12.64% to CNY 12,250/ton after a prolonged period of weak monthly performance. The sharp rebound appears to be driven primarily by a rapid tightening in spot availability and a stronger producer pricing stance, with the move reflecting a supply-side repricing rather than a broad-based recovery in downstream demand. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) fell 5.41% to CNY 17,500/ton, while Calcium carbonate declined 4.00% to CNY 480/ton, extending its monthly decline to 32.73%. The magnitude of the calcium carbonate correction suggests persistent oversupply and weak downstream purchasing interest, with market quotations remaining under significant pressure. Potassium permanganate also weakened by 3.13%, although its monthly change remained slightly positive, indicating that the latest decline is more consistent with short-term profit-taking and softer spot transactions than a structural market reversal. On the positive side, Dimethyl carbonate edged up 0.73% and maintained a strong 12.03% monthly gain, supported by firmer upstream costs and relatively resilient demand from lithium-battery-related applications. Oleic acid remained unchanged on the day but retained a substantial 14.83% monthly increase, reflecting continued cost support from vegetable oils and a relatively firm fatty-acid market. Citric acid also remained stable while holding a 3.14% monthly gain. Meanwhile, Sodium acetate continued to show pronounced weakness, with its monthly decline reaching 20.02%. Overall, the fine chemicals market remains fragmented: supply-sensitive specialty chemicals can experience abrupt price repricing, while commodity-like products such as calcium carbonate and sodium acetate remain constrained by weak downstream demand and ample availability.

Energy markets remained relatively firm on a monthly basis despite a sharp short-term correction in crude oil. WTI Crude Oil fell 2.30% to USD 85/barrel on August 25, but remained up 5.13% over the month. The latest decline was mainly driven by easing geopolitical risk premiums, as renewed diplomatic efforts involving Iran and Oman raised expectations of safer navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and potentially more stable oil supply. At the same time, Gasoline declined 0.22% on the day but retained an 8.53% monthly gain, while Asphalt edged up 0.22% and gained 3.10% on a weekly basis. The relative resilience of asphalt contrasts with the decline in crude oil and reflects tighter physical supply conditions in the domestic bitumen market, where low refinery operating rates, falling inventories and production cuts have provided support. Overall, the energy complex is showing a divergence between short-term crude oil profit-taking and relatively firm downstream petroleum products.

Plastics continued to trade with a moderately firm bias, led by ABS, which increased 0.98% to CNY 10,283/ton and remained up 3.63% on a monthly basis. Recent ABS strength has been supported by firmer upstream raw-material costs and a relatively tight supply balance, although weak end-user demand continues to limit the upside. HDPE remained unchanged at CNY 10,650/ton but maintained a 0.89% monthly gain, with concentrated domestic polyethylene maintenance reducing short-term supply and keeping inventories relatively low. Market data also show that several polyethylene grades strengthened during the week, while producers continued to benefit from cost support. In contrast, EAA declined 1.48% on a monthly basis and POE and PVC remained slightly weaker, indicating that downstream demand has not yet generated a broad-based recovery across the plastics sector. Overall, plastics are being supported primarily by feedstock costs and temporary supply constraints rather than strong consumption growth.

Rubber-related chemicals remained relatively stable but retained positive short-term momentum. Carbon Black increased 0.16% on the day and 2.72% over the week, while Silica was unchanged on the day and remained up 0.93% for the month. The strength in carbon black is consistent with higher upstream energy and feedstock costs, particularly crude-derived raw materials, while demand from tires and rubber products provides a relatively stable consumption base. However, the 0% monthly change in carbon black suggests that cost inflation has so far been largely offset by downstream price sensitivity. Silica showed a similar pattern, with limited daily movement and only moderate monthly appreciation, indicating a balanced market rather than a significant supply shortage. The rubber segment therefore remains more resilient than some plastics products, but further upside will depend on whether downstream tire and rubber-product demand can absorb higher raw-material costs.

Other chemicals remained broadly stable, with Activated Carbon unchanged at CNY 12,167/ton and down only 0.70% on a monthly basis. Compared with the stronger volatility seen in specialty and basic chemicals, the activated-carbon market currently appears relatively balanced, with downstream water treatment, industrial adsorption and environmental applications providing steady but not aggressive demand. The lack of daily movement suggests that producers and buyers remain relatively cautious, while the small monthly decline indicates limited cost-push pressure. Overall, the Other Chemicals segment continues to show a low-volatility profile, with demand stability offsetting the absence of strong upstream momentum.

Across the four sectors, the market remains characterized by cost support combined with uneven downstream demand. Energy prices are undergoing a short-term correction after a strong monthly rally, while physical asphalt supply remains comparatively tight. Plastics are benefiting from upstream cost support and temporary maintenance-related supply reductions, with ABS and HDPE showing the strongest representative performance. Rubber chemicals remain comparatively stable, with Carbon Black gaining momentum on a weekly basis but lacking a significant monthly breakout. Other Chemicals remain largely range-bound. The key market risk for the next few sessions is whether the decline in crude oil can develop into a sustained correction; if so, cost support for plastics, rubber and asphalt-related products could gradually weaken. Conversely, continued refinery maintenance and low inventories could keep downstream petroleum products firmer than crude itself.