Chemical Prices Today (July 24, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals traded with a mixed tone today, led by notable rebounds in Acetone, Acetonitrile, Dichloromethane, and Silicon, supported by firmer spot buying and higher feedstock costs. Acetone and other solvent markets continued to recover as tighter regional supply and maintenance-related production constraints improved market sentiment, while Ethylene glycol and Toluene also extended weekly gains on steady downstream procurement. On the downside, Ammonium sulfate, Cobalt, Lithium carbonate, and Acetic anhydride remained under pressure amid ample supply and cautious purchasing. Lithium carbonate prices continued to soften despite accelerating inventory drawdowns, as market participants remained concerned about increasing raw material supply and subdued spot trading. Meanwhile, industry news indicated that China's sulfuric acid market has entered a high-level consolidation phase with regional price divergence, while the broader chemical sector continues to see mixed performance as buyers remain selective and procurement is largely demand-driven.

Fine chemicals markets strengthened overall, driven by sharp gains in Imidazole, Petroleum Jelly, Lauric acid, and Oleic acid. Imidazole surged more than 36% day-on-day, marking the strongest move across the segment, likely supported by tight spot availability and replenishment demand from pharmaceutical and electronic chemical intermediate producers. Petroleum Jelly advanced over 10% amid firmer feedstock values, while natural fatty acid products including Lauric acid and Oleic acid benefited from higher vegetable oil costs and improved downstream demand from personal care and surfactant manufacturers. In contrast, Stearic acid, PTMEG, Poly(ethylene glycol), and Vitamin A weakened, reflecting cautious purchasing and sufficient market supply. Vitamin A continued to face the largest monthly decline, highlighting persistent oversupply in the nutrition additives market despite stable production. Meanwhile, industry news showed continued resilience in China's pharmaceutical and specialty chemical sectors, with innovative drug approvals and licensing activity remaining strong in the first half of the year, supporting medium- to long-term demand expectations for pharmaceutical intermediates and high-value fine chemicals.

Energy, plastics, and related materials showed divergent performance, with WTI Crude Oil, Gasoline, Asphalt, ABS, and POM posting gains, while Anthracite and Lead weakened. Crude oil prices climbed nearly 6% day-on-day as stronger geopolitical risk sentiment and expectations of tighter global supply supported the energy complex, lifting refined products including Gasoline and Asphalt. In the plastics sector, ABS extended its upward trend on improved downstream restocking and firmer feedstock costs, while POM recorded an exceptional price spike, likely reflecting tight spot availability and limited domestic supply rather than a broad market-wide recovery. On the downside, Anthracite fell sharply by 10% as coal demand remained seasonally weak and inventories stayed comfortable, while Lead softened amid cautious battery-sector procurement and subdued downstream consumption. Meanwhile, industry news highlighted continued volatility in global energy markets as supply concerns and geopolitical developments supported crude oil prices, whereas China's manufacturing sector maintained steady operating rates, providing moderate support for engineering plastics demand despite selective purchasing across downstream industries.