This week, the ethylene oxide (EO) price remained stable, while most downstream products continued their downward trend.
Ethylene Oxide (EO): Expected supply pressure did not materialize, and market supply-demand pressure remained manageable, leading to stable prices.
Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Monomer: Weak downstream demand, coupled with pessimistic market expectations, led to a continued price decline.
Surfactants: The continued decline in raw material fatty alcohol prices dragged down surfactant market prices.
Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether: The arrival of imported cargoes increased industry supply, but weak demand led to further price declines.
Ethanolamines: Supported by steady downstream demand, diethanolamine prices remained relatively stable.
Supply Overview:
Operating rates declined across the board for ethylene oxide and its major downstream products.
Ethylene Oxide (EO): The new Zhenhai line contributed limited output, while some EO units reduced production due to supply-demand pressure or upstream facility issues. The average weekly operating rate fell by 1.48 percentage points to 55.29%.
Monomer: Although major producers maintained their production schedules, more plants cut output due to sluggish sales and mounting losses. The weekly operating rate dropped by 0.66 percentage points to 33%.
Non-ionic Surfactants: Some factories reduced output, leading to a 0.3 percentage point decline in the operating rate to 52.3%.
Ethanolamines: Some facilities in East China were idled, resulting in a 3.44 percentage point decrease in the operating rate to 68.1%.
Key Focus for Next Week:
Ethylene Oxide (EO): Some EO units are expected to reduce output, which may tighten supply. However, weak downstream demand will continue to weigh on market sentiment, and EO prices may face downward pressure.
Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Monomer: The supply-demand imbalance is unlikely to improve, and the monomer market is expected to remain weak.
Non-ionic Surfactants: Weak price expectations for both fatty alcohol and EO may lead to further declines in surfactant prices.
Ethanolamines: Although current ethanolamine prices are low, demand recovery remains limited. The market is expected to gradually absorb the low prices, with the decline narrowing.
Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether: Amid increasing supply and weak demand, the butyl ether market is expected to remain weak.
