Chemical Prices Today (July 3, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals traded with mixed momentum on July 3, as Butane surged more than 20% on stronger LPG demand and tighter regional supply, while Formic acid advanced sharply amid improved downstream procurement and firmer feedstock costs. Acetic acid, Aniline, and Lithium carbonate also recorded moderate gains, supported by restocking activities and resilient industrial demand. In contrast, Acetone, Chloroform, Copper sulfate, Sodium fluoride, and Methanol remained under pressure due to ample market supply and cautious buying sentiment, with Acetone extending its monthly decline to over 26%. Meanwhile, Sulfur continued to edge higher as tightening raw material availability and elevated production costs provided ongoing support across the sulfur value chain. Market attention also remained focused on the recovery of lithium demand, supply discipline among upstream producers, and tightening sulfur-related feedstock markets, which continued to shape pricing trends across the basic chemicals sector. Recent industry reports indicated that lithium carbonate prices stabilized on stronger futures performance and producer price discipline, while sulfur prices remained elevated amid tightening supply and firmer downstream demand, providing additional cost support for related chemical products. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Fine chemicals presented a mixed performance on July 3, with Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) posting an exceptional daily gain of more than 26%, primarily driven by temporary supply tightness and replenishment demand following previous market weakness, although weekly performance remained negative. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) continued to strengthen, supported by firm export demand and stable feedstock costs, extending its monthly increase to over 6%. Meanwhile, Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and Tetrahydrofuran (THF) edged lower as downstream purchasing remained cautious and inventories were sufficient to meet near-term demand, while Melamine remained largely stable amid balanced supply-demand fundamentals and a subdued construction materials market. Industry attention remained focused on improving demand from lithium battery materials, pharmaceuticals, and specialty solvents, alongside continued cost fluctuations in methanol- and acetylene-based feedstocks. Recent market reports suggested that demand from the battery and electronics sectors continued to provide support for selected specialty solvents such as DMSO and DMC, while construction-related chemicals including melamine continued to face relatively soft consumption despite stable production levels.

Energy and plastics markets softened on July 3, as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) recorded the sharpest decline, falling 5.0% day-on-day and nearly 10% from a month earlier amid persistent oversupply, weak construction demand, and cautious downstream purchasing. Gasoline and Kerosene also moved lower, reflecting softer crude oil sentiment, ample domestic fuel inventories, and seasonally moderate transportation fuel consumption. Meanwhile, HDPE remained broadly stable with only a slight daily decline, supported by balanced production rates despite sluggish demand from the packaging and manufacturing sectors. Market participants continued to monitor fluctuations in international crude oil prices, OPEC+ production policy, and the pace of recovery in downstream construction and manufacturing activity, which remain the primary drivers for both energy and polymer markets. Recent industry developments indicated that expectations of adequate global oil supply and cautious demand growth continued to weigh on refined fuel prices, while persistent capacity expansion and weak real estate-related demand kept pressure on PVC, with polyethylene markets showing comparatively better resilience due to more balanced supply-demand fundamentals.