Chemical Prices Today (July 2, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

China's Basic Chemicals market remained mixed on July 2, with upstream energy and feedstock weakness continuing to weigh on most bulk chemicals. Methanol, Acetone, Benzene, Ethylene glycol, Phenol, Xylene, and Chloroform all extended their declines as ample supply and cautious downstream purchasing limited buying interest. Recent reports also indicated softer crude oil prices and recovering methanol supply, reinforcing bearish sentiment across the petrochemical chain. Meanwhile, Acetic acid edged higher on continued low producer inventories and scheduled plant maintenance, while Calcium carbide, Hydrogen peroxide, Lithium carbonate, Nickel, and Heptane posted gains supported by localized supply tightness and steady industrial procurement. Overall, the market remained characterized by selective strength in supply-constrained products, while the broader commodity complex continued to face pressure from weak downstream demand and cautious purchasing activity.

China's Fine Chemicals market turned weaker on July 2, with price corrections emerging after recent gains in several specialty chemical products. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) recorded the sharpest daily decline, falling nearly 7% as downstream procurement slowed following earlier restocking, while sufficient market supply added downward pressure. PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol) also dropped 4.6% on the day despite remaining almost 7% higher week-on-week and more than 11% above the previous month, suggesting the recent correction follows a strong rally driven by earlier supply tightness and improved spandex demand. Meanwhile, Sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) remained broadly stable, reflecting balanced supply-demand fundamentals and steady consumption from water treatment and detergent applications. Overall, the fine chemicals market entered a phase of profit-taking and cautious buying, with buyers showing greater resistance to elevated prices while fundamentals remained relatively stable.

The Energy and Plastic Chemicals market remained under mild downward pressure on July 2, as softer crude oil prices continued to weaken cost support across the energy and downstream petrochemical chain. WTI Crude Oil extended its decline, falling 1.4% on the day and more than 14% from a month earlier, amid easing geopolitical risk premiums, expectations of ample global supply, and persistent concerns over fuel demand growth. Weaker feedstock costs also weighed on Gasoline and Asphalt, both of which posted modest losses as domestic demand remained seasonally subdued. In the plastics sector, ABS prices edged lower due to sufficient market availability and cautious purchasing from downstream manufacturers, while lower styrene and energy costs further reduced production expenses. Overall, sentiment across the energy and plastics market remained cautious, with declining upstream costs and restrained downstream demand continuing to limit price recovery.