Chemical Prices Today (July 31, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals showed divergent performance on July 31, with Ammonium chloride surging 8.64% day-on-day and Propane rising 5.69%, supported by tighter supply conditions and firmer downstream procurement. In contrast, solvents including Acetone, Benzene, Dichloromethane, and Isopropyl alcohol continued to weaken amid cautious buying sentiment and pressure from sluggish industrial demand. Propylene glycol and Xylene also posted notable gains, reflecting improved cost support from feedstocks. Meanwhile, Lithium carbonate extended its decline, falling 1.39% on the day and nearly 7% over the month, as market participants remained concerned about future oversupply despite resilient battery-sector demand. Recent industry reports indicate that additional lithium mining capacity and expectations of a looser supply-demand balance continue to weigh on prices, while battery manufacturers remain cautious on long-term procurement plans. In the broader market backdrop, energy and fertilizer supply chains remain sensitive to global logistics disruptions and raw material availability, contributing to volatility across nitrogen-based chemicals and feedstock markets. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Fine chemicals market sentiment improved overall on July 31, led by strong gains in PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol), which surged 13.59% day-on-day, alongside notable increases in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) (+8.57%), Stearic Acid (+4.32%), and Citric Acid (+2.06%). The sharp rebound in PTMEG was primarily driven by supply-side adjustments and improved procurement activity from the downstream spandex sector, as several market participants replenished inventories after recent price corrections. Industry monitoring also indicates that China's spandex operating rates have remained relatively resilient, providing underlying support to PTMEG demand despite broader macroeconomic uncertainty. Citric Acid continued to strengthen on the back of stable export demand and healthy food additive consumption, with international market assessments showing upward pricing trends across several major regions during July. Meanwhile, Melamine edged higher by 0.81%; however, the product remains under pressure on a monthly basis as weak construction and wood-panel demand continue to limit upside potential despite recent stabilization in raw material costs. On the downside, Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) recorded the largest decline, falling 9.71%, while Lauric Acid softened amid cautious purchasing from personal care and surfactant manufacturers. Overall, the fine chemicals sector remains characterized by selective demand recovery and supply-driven price movements. Recent macroeconomic indicators showed China's manufacturing PMI slipping back into contraction territory in July, suggesting downstream consumption remains uneven and buyers continue to adopt a cautious procurement strategy, particularly for non-essential specialty chemicals. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Within plastics, HDPE rose 0.36%, maintaining a positive monthly trend of 3.55% as packaging and industrial demand remained relatively resilient. Conversely, ABS fell 0.34% and was down more than 2% on a weekly basis, reflecting cautious purchasing from appliance and consumer goods manufacturers. PVC declined 1.08%, with the market continuing to face pressure from sluggish construction-sector demand and ample domestic supply. The most significant movement was observed in POM , which recorded an exceptional 68.75% daily decline. Such a sharp move is likely attributable to a market quotation adjustment, specification change, or data normalization event rather than a fundamental shift in supply-demand conditions, and therefore should be interpreted with caution. Broader industry news indicates that global polymer producers continue to face margin pressure from uneven manufacturing activity and persistent oversupply in several commodity resin chains, limiting the potential for sustained price increases despite periodic feedstock support. Overall, the sector remains highly sensitive to crude oil trends, downstream manufacturing recovery, and inventory management strategies across the plastics value chain.