According to the analysis system of the commodity market of the Business Society, as of August 29th, the average price of PMMA, a general transparent and high-quality product in China, was 14625.00 yuan/ton. This week, PMMA prices remained stable and maintained the previous trend, with no significant price fluctuations. Downstream purchases were mainly for immediate needs.

This week, the domestic general transparent grade premium product PMMA has been operating smoothly, compared to the same period last week when prices remained stable. The purchasing atmosphere is cold, and downstream demand is average. Currently, the quotation range of mainstream manufacturers is still around 14600 yuan/ton. The operating rate is stable, and the overall market supply and demand is balanced. Factories are offering discounts and taking orders, and downstream purchases are just needed.

Rubber and Plastic Index: On August 28th, the rubber and plastic index stood at 677 points, unchanged from yesterday, a decrease of 36.13% from the cycle’s highest point of 1060 points (2012-03-14), and an increase of 28.22% from the lowest point of 528 points on April 6, 2020. (Note: The cycle refers to the period from December 1st, 2011 to the present).

PMMA analysts from Business Society believe that PMMA will mainly maintain stable operation in the short term.

Recent price trends of isooctanol

According to the Commodity Analysis System of Business Society, the domestic tetrahydrofuran market price has temporarily stabilized this week. The average price of tetrahydrofuran in the mainstream domestic market this week is 12675.00 yuan/ton. Weekend prices fell by 14.65% year-on-year.

Upstream support is good, while downstream demand is average

From the supply side perspective, the prices of mainstream domestic tetrahydrofuran distributors are temporarily stable this week, with average inventory levels.

From the upstream raw material market of tetrahydrofuran, the market for 1,4-butanediol has slightly declined this week, with prices dropping from 11528.57 yuan/ton at the beginning of the week to 11485.71 yuan/ton at the end of the week, a decrease of 0.37%. Weekend prices increased by 13.02% year-on-year. The market situation of maleic anhydride has slightly increased this week, with prices rising from 7160 yuan/ton at the beginning of the week to 7360 yuan/ton at the weekend, an increase of 2.79%. Weekend prices fell by 4.17% year-on-year. Overall, the upstream raw material market prices have slightly increased, with good cost support. Affected by the supply and demand side, it has a positive impact on the price of tetrahydrofuran.

From the downstream market situation of tetrahydrofuran, the spandex market price has stabilized at a high level this week. The price of spandex is 33625.00 yuan/ton. Weekend prices increased by 2.67% year-on-year. Downstream spandex market prices have stabilized at high levels, and downstream customers are actively purchasing tetrahydrofuran.

Future prospects

In late August, the domestic tetrahydrofuran market may experience slight fluctuations and gains. The upstream maleic anhydride market has slightly increased, with good cost support. The downstream spandex market has stabilized at a high level, and downstream demand is good. Business Society tetrahydrofuran analysts believe that in the short term, the domestic tetrahydrofuran market may fluctuate slightly and rise mainly due to various factors such as supply and demand and raw materials.

Price trend

This week, the domestic EVA market remained stable, with spot prices hovering at high levels. According to data monitoring from Business Society, as of August 25th, the average factory price of EVA in China was 14000 yuan/ton, an increase of 2.69% compared to the beginning of the month.

Cause analysis

The domestic EVA market has stabilized slightly this week. On the supply side, the operating rate of the EVA industry has decreased compared to last week, and the overall load position is around 68%. The market supply is relatively low, and factory inventory pressure is still acceptable. The profitability of EVA polymerization plants fluctuates broadly within a narrow range, while factory prices remain stable. The social inventory pressure is average, and the confidence of traders is supported by aggregation factories and tends to be stable. On the demand side, there has been no improvement in the current support for EVA price on the demand side compared to the previous period. The maintenance of demand for photovoltaic materials and the phased stocking of terminal enterprises are the main support for the demand side. The follow-up of foam materials towards terminal enterprises lags behind, resulting in low actual prices and consumption maintaining at off-season levels, dragging down the overall demand side of EVA. The overall stock preparation operation on the site is clearly differentiated, and this week, companies have a moderate acceptance of high priced goods, with prices mainly operating horizontally.

Overall, the supply of EVA in the market has decreased significantly this week, and the downstream demand side is still driven by the main force of photovoltaics. Overall, companies mainly offer stable prices, with merchants following the market, while some photovoltaic offers have increased. The continuous poor demand for foaming has dragged down the overall market. It is expected that in the short term, the domestic EVA market may continue to fluctuate in a narrow range due to the continuation of the game market.

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of the Business Society, as of August 24th, the average price quoted by epichlorohydrin enterprises was 8325.00 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1.48% compared to Monday’s price and 26.97% compared to the same period last year.

This week, the market for epichlorohydrin was weak. Recently, the price of raw material glycerol has been mainly stable, while the price of raw material propylene has decreased. Cost support is weak, and the utilization rate of supply side production capacity is relatively flat compared to the previous period. Downstream demand is weak, and inventory raw materials are mainly consumed. The enthusiasm for inquiry procurement is insufficient, and small orders are mainly needed to follow up. Holders are under pressure to ship, resulting in a decrease in enterprise quotations.

Upstream propylene, according to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Business Society, the reference price for propylene on August 23 was 6763.25, an increase of 0.74% compared to August 1 (6713.25).

Downstream epoxy resin, according to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Business Society, the reference price of epoxy resin on August 23 was 14666.67, an increase of 3.29% compared to August 1 (14200.00).

Analysts from Business Society’s epichlorohydrin believe that the current market is not supported by good news, and it is expected that the epichlorohydrin market may be weak in the short term. More attention still needs to be paid to market news guidance.

Product name: Isooctanol

Latest price (August 23rd): 12200.00/ton

On August 23rd, the market price of isooctanol in Shandong Province slightly increased, increasing by 233.33 yuan/ton or 1.95% compared to August 22nd, with a year-on-year increase of 47.58%. Upstream propylene prices continue to rise, with strong cost support. The downstream DOP market is consolidating at a high level, and downstream demand is good. Multiple benefits are good, but the product trend is upward under the contradiction between supply and demand.

Recently, the market price of isooctanol in Shandong region may fluctuate slightly, with an average market price of around 12500 yuan/ton.