Chemical Prices Today (August 4, 2026): Daily Market Trends & Price Changes

Basic chemicals showed a mixed performance today, with downstream demand differentiation and raw material cost fluctuations continuing to shape market sentiment. Acetone declined 1.18% to CNY 6,300/ton as supply pressure remained evident, with phenol-ketone markets still facing oversupply risks and cautious purchasing activity. Ethylene glycol and Propylene glycol strengthened by 0.58% and 2.69% respectively, supported by firmer upstream feedstock conditions and improving buying interest. Meanwhile, Dichloromethane dropped sharply by 4.49%, while Titanium dioxide fell 4.40%, reflecting weaker downstream demand and inventory pressure. The broader chemical market continues to balance between cost-side support from energy markets and demand-side constraints. Recent crude oil volatility driven by geopolitical uncertainty has provided some cost support, while China's relatively cautious crude procurement and uneven industrial recovery have limited broad-based chemical price gains. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Solvent markets remained under pressure, with Acetone and Dichloromethane showing notable declines. Acetone prices decreased to CNY 6,300/ton, although the product remains higher on a monthly basis (+9.89%). The decline was mainly linked to sufficient domestic supply, high operating rates of phenol-ketone units, and weak downstream consumption. Industry reports indicate that China's acetone market has continued to face oversupply challenges due to capacity additions and slower demand recovery, keeping prices vulnerable despite occasional cost support. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Dichloromethane recorded the largest daily decline among major products, falling 4.49% to CNY 2,170/ton, as market participants reduced inventories amid weaker trading activity.

Aromatic chemicals delivered relatively stable performance, supported by crude oil and feedstock movements. Benzene increased slightly by 0.23% to CNY 7,518/ton after recent weakness, while Toluene and Xylene continued to adjust lower on a daily basis. The aromatic chain remains influenced by fluctuations in crude oil prices, refinery operating rates, and downstream demand from solvents and petrochemical applications. Current geopolitical uncertainty has increased energy market volatility, providing intermittent support to petrochemical costs but failing to create a sustained upward trend due to demand concerns. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Glycol and oxygenated chemicals showed stronger momentum. Ethylene glycol rose 0.58% to CNY 5,195/ton, with weekly and monthly gains reaching 3.97% and 10.54% respectively, indicating improving market confidence. Propylene glycol posted the strongest daily increase among major products, rising 2.69% to CNY 9,533/ton, supported by tighter spot availability and active replenishment demand. Phenol also gained 1.59% to CNY 8,775/ton, with monthly growth of 6.59%, benefiting from relatively firmer downstream procurement compared with acetone markets.

Industrial raw materials remained mixed, reflecting different supply-demand fundamentals. Ammonium sulfate, Calcium carbide, Nickel, and PET recorded moderate gains, while Iron prices dropped significantly by 16.67%, indicating weaker spot trading conditions. Titanium dioxide declined to CNY 14,780/ton, pressured by slower coating and construction-related demand recovery. Overall, the basic chemicals sector continues to show a divergence between products supported by tighter supply and those facing inventory accumulation.

Market outlook remains focused on the balance between supply recovery and downstream demand improvement. Products linked to petrochemical feedstocks, including Acetone, Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene, may continue to experience volatility as energy markets react to geopolitical developments. Meanwhile, products with stronger industrial demand signals, such as Ethylene glycol, Propylene glycol, and Phenol, may maintain relatively better performance if purchasing activity improves. However, persistent global supply expansion and cautious demand expectations remain the key constraints for a broad chemical market recovery. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Fine chemicals showed a sharply differentiated performance today, with several specialty products experiencing significant price movements driven by supply tightness, inventory adjustments, and downstream demand changes. PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol) recorded the strongest increase, surging 28.95% to CNY 24,500/ton, while Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) jumped 11.63% to CNY 12,000/ton. In contrast, Oleic acid declined sharply by 9.59% to CNY 8,250/ton, reflecting weaker demand and price correction after previous gains. The fine chemical sector remains highly product-specific, with supply availability and operating conditions playing a larger role than broad market trends.

PTMEG market experienced a significant upward adjustment, becoming the strongest performer among today's tracked products. PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol) prices increased from CNY 19,000/ton to CNY 24,500/ton, representing a daily gain of 28.95%, with weekly growth reaching 7.43%. The sharp increase was mainly attributed to tighter spot availability, reduced supplier inventories, and stronger purchasing activity from downstream polyurethane spandex producers. PTMEG is a key raw material for spandex fiber production, and recent market discussions have focused on supply-side constraints caused by production maintenance, reduced operating rates, and limited spot circulation. The rapid price increase also reflects replenishment demand after previous low inventory levels.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) recorded a strong rebound amid tightening supply conditions. DMSO prices rose 11.63% to CNY 12,000/ton, marking the largest daily increase after PTMEG. The market has recently been influenced by supply-side factors, including production scheduling adjustments and limited availability from major producers. DMSO is widely used in pharmaceutical, electronic, and chemical applications, where stable industrial demand provides some support. The current price movement suggests that short-term supply constraints have become the dominant factor, although buyers may remain cautious due to the rapid increase.

Oleic acid prices corrected significantly after previous gains. Oleic acid declined 9.59% to CNY 8,250/ton, although the product still maintained a monthly increase of 5.07%. The sharp daily decline indicates short-term profit-taking and weaker downstream purchasing sentiment. Oleic acid markets are closely linked with vegetable oil feedstocks, biodiesel demand, and oleochemical applications. Recent fluctuations in global agricultural commodity markets and softer downstream consumption from surfactants and specialty chemical sectors have pressured prices. The correction appears to be a market adjustment rather than a fundamental reversal, given the product remains higher compared with the beginning of the month.

Melamine remained relatively stable with moderate upward momentum. Melamine increased 0.40% to CNY 6,238/ton, with weekly and monthly gains of 0.78% and 2.98% respectively. The market benefited from relatively stable fertilizer-linked cost support and gradual improvement in downstream demand from laminates, coatings, and construction-related applications. However, high domestic production capacity continues to limit stronger price increases, keeping the market in a balanced adjustment phase.

Sodium acetate continued its downward trend under weak demand conditions. Sodium acetate edged down 0.13% to CNY 5,386/ton, with monthly losses expanding to 8.67%. The decline reflects relatively weak purchasing activity and sufficient market supply. Demand from wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical intermediates, and food additive applications has remained stable but insufficient to drive price recovery. The product continues to face pressure from inventory digestion and competitive supplier pricing.

The fine chemicals market is expected to remain highly differentiated in the near term. Products with supply-side constraints, including PTMEG and DMSO, may continue to receive short-term price support, although rapid increases could trigger downstream resistance. Meanwhile, Oleic acid and Sodium acetate may remain under pressure as demand recovery remains gradual. Overall, specialty chemical prices are increasingly being driven by individual product fundamentals, including production availability, inventory levels, and downstream sector recovery rather than broad market movements.

Energy and plastics markets experienced broad-based weakness today, with crude oil volatility and downstream demand concerns weighing on sentiment. WTI Crude Oil declined 5.88% to USD 80/barrel, driving pressure across energy-related commodities. Anthracite recorded the largest decline among tracked products, falling 10.00% to CNY 1,575/ton after recent gains, while Gasoline and Asphalt also moved lower amid weaker cost support. In plastics, ABS declined 1.39% and HDPE edged down 0.12%, reflecting cautious downstream purchasing and limited demand recovery. Overall, the market is currently balancing between geopolitical supply risks supporting energy prices and concerns over global demand slowing the pace of further increases.

Crude oil prices experienced a sharp correction, influencing the broader energy complex. WTI Crude Oil dropped from USD 85/barrel to USD 80/barrel, representing a daily decline of 5.88%, although monthly gains remained positive at 6.41%. The decline reflected easing concerns over short-term supply disruptions and renewed market focus on demand growth uncertainty. Recent crude markets have been affected by changing expectations surrounding geopolitical developments, inventory levels, and global economic activity. While supply risks continue to provide underlying support, traders have become more cautious as demand forecasts remain mixed.

Coal-related energy products faced stronger selling pressure. Anthracite recorded the largest daily decline among all tracked commodities, falling 10.00% to CNY 1,575/ton. Despite the sharp correction, weekly and monthly performance remained positive, with gains of 4.48% and 1.07% respectively. The decline was mainly associated with weaker spot demand, inventory adjustments, and profit-taking after previous price increases. Industrial coal consumption remains under pressure due to uneven recovery in downstream sectors, limiting near-term upside potential.

Refined energy products remained under pressure following crude oil weakness. Gasoline prices decreased 0.54% to CNY 8,512/ton, although the product maintained a monthly increase of 6.43%. The decline was mainly linked to weaker crude oil cost support and cautious downstream buying. Asphalt also slipped 0.39% to CNY 4,293/ton, with both weekly and monthly performance remaining negative. The asphalt market continues to face pressure from slower infrastructure demand and seasonal construction activity fluctuations, limiting the ability of lower crude costs to translate into stronger demand.

Plastics markets showed mild weakness as downstream demand remained cautious. ABS prices declined 1.39% to CNY 9,533/ton, reversing part of recent gains while still maintaining monthly growth of 1.79%. The market was affected by weaker buying interest from appliance, electronics, and automotive-related sectors, combined with sufficient supply availability. HDPE remained relatively stable, edging down 0.12% to CNY 10,450/ton. The polyethylene market continues to be influenced by crude oil cost movements, new production capacity, and downstream inventory strategies.

The short-term outlook for Energy and Plastics remains cautious. Energy markets are likely to remain volatile as crude oil prices respond to geopolitical developments, inventory data, and demand expectations. WTI Crude Oil continues to provide cost support for petrochemical chains despite recent corrections. In plastics, ABS and HDPE are expected to trade within a narrow range unless downstream consumption improves significantly. Market participants will continue monitoring crude oil trends, refinery operating rates, and China's manufacturing demand recovery for further direction.