Isophthalonitrile

# Market Intelligence on Isophthalonitrile (CAS: 626-17-5)

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## I. Price Monitoring (Mid-October to November 11, 2026)

| Date | Supplier | Quote (CNY/ton) | Specification | Delivery Location | Packaging |
|------|--------|-------------|------|--------|------|
| Oct 17 | Hubei Xin Hongli Chemical | ≈27,250 | 98% | Tianmen, Hubei | 25kg/bag |
| Oct 19 | Henan Weiti Xi Chemical | Negotiable | 98% | Zhengzhou, Henan | 25g–2kg |
| Nov 4–10 | Jiangsu Xin Su New Materials | **27,500 (stable for 5 consecutive days)** | 98% | Suzhou, Jiangsu | 25kg/drum |

**Key Finding:** Over the past month, the mainstream ex-factory price of isophthalonitrile has remained within the range of **27,250–27,500 CNY/ton**, exhibiting a trend of **narrow-range consolidation at elevated levels**. The fact that Jiangsu Xin Su’s price remained unchanged for five consecutive days reflects a balanced supply-demand dynamic, with neither buyers nor sellers showing a strong willingness to adjust prices.

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## II. Upstream Raw Material Linkage Analysis

The core raw material for isophthalonitrile is **m-xylene**, whose price fluctuations are directly transmitted to downstream products. According to international xylene market data from October 27:

- **Isomeric Xylene FOB Korea Main Port**: USD 1,227/ton (up USD 11 from the previous day)
- **Isomeric Xylene CFR China**: USD 1,244/ton (up USD 11 from the previous day)
- **Mixed Xylene FOB Rotterdam**: USD 1,179/ton (down USD 42 from the previous day, a significant decline)

The sharp drop in mixed xylene prices contrasts with the slight rise in isomeric xylene, indicating that structural contradictions persist on the raw material side. As an isomer, m-xylene is supported by Korean and China-arrived prices, resulting in a short-term firm cost base that provides **bottom support** for isophthalonitrile.

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## III. Macro Chemical Sector Environment

According to the commodity price change ranking monitored on October 30:

- **54 commodities rose month-on-month**, concentrated in the chemical sector (22 items) and the rubber & plastics sector (9 items)
- **Top 3 Gainers**: Propylene (+6.60%), Propylene Oxide (+5.26%), Acrylonitrile (+4.98%)
- **Top 3 Losers**: Hypophosphorous Acid (-4.32%), Sulfur (-3.74%), Liquid Ammonia (-3.61%)
- The average daily price change was only +0.04%, with a gain/loss ratio of 12.19%:14.00%

The chemical sector as a whole exhibits a pattern of **\"few gains, many losses, and narrowing volatility.\"** Isophthalonitrile, a nitrile-based chemical, did not appear among the top gainers, indicating that it is not a current market hotspot. However, it has also not faced significant selling pressure, placing it in a **mild oscillation range**.

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## IV. Supply and Demand Fundamental Assessment

| Dimension | Assessment |
|------|------|
| **Supply Side** | Domestic producers (e.g., Hubei Xin Hongli, Jiangsu Xin Su, Henan Weiti Xi) have stable quotes, smooth capacity release, and no signals of concentrated maintenance or capacity expansion |
| **Demand Side** | Isophthalonitrile is primarily used as an intermediate for the fungicide chlorothalonil, in polyurethane/epoxy resin curing agents, and as a fine chemical raw material. Downstream demand is relatively rigid but lacks explosive growth |
| **Inventory Side** | Jiangsu Xin Su’s single quote volume is only 10 tons with a 7-day validity period, indicating that traders operate on small batches with quick turnover, resulting in low social inventory pressure |
| **Policy Side** | Stricter environmental regulations are driving upgrades in the m-xylene ammoxidation process, enhancing the premium capability of high-purity (≥98%) products |

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## V. Analytical Judgment and Forecast

**Short-Term Outlook (Next 2–4 Weeks)**
**Prices are likely to oscillate within the range of 27,000–27,800 CNY/ton.** Reasons include:
1. Mainstream quotes have remained flat for multiple consecutive days, indicating a lack of directional drivers in the market;
2. The CFR China price of upstream m-xylene has risen slightly, providing clear cost support;
3. Overall sentiment in the chemical sector remains cautious, with insufficient momentum for significant price increases or declines.

**Medium-Term Outlook (1–3 Months)**
**There is potential for a moderate upward trend, with a target range of 28,000–29,000 CNY/ton.** Core logic:
- Winter is the traditional stocking season for the fungicide chlorothalonil, and downstream demand is expected to seasonally recover;
- If international oil prices rebound and drive up aromatics chain costs, isophthalonitrile prices will passively follow suit;
- Upgrades in green synthesis processes may eliminate some small-scale capacity, increasing expectations of supply-side contraction.

**Risk Warnings**
- ?? Mixed xylene FOB Rotterdam has already shown a single-day drop of USD 42/ton; if this decline continues, it will drag down m-xylene costs;
- ?? If the prosperity of downstream epoxy resin and polyurethane industries declines, the demand side could become the biggest variable;
- ?? SunSirs (Shengyishe) published price update notices on November 6, 9, 10, and 11 but did not disclose specific values. Continuous tracking of their benchmark price releases is required to obtain more precise signals.

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**Operational Recommendation:** The current strategy should be primarily observational. It is advisable to build positions moderately near 27,000 CNY/ton. If the price breaks above 27,800 CNY/ton and holds, follow the trend with long positions. If it falls below 26,800 CNY/ton, be alert to downside risks.