Chemicals Updates

Asian Benzene: Prices rise on bullishness in paper markets / New policy intent from China on competition regulation / China benzene imports fall 13% in June

Jul 26, 2025

Asian benzene was $13/mt higher on the session at $750.33/mt FOB Korea July 25, tracking the strength in derivative markets. Upstream, front-month ICE Brent futures fell 40 cents/b to $68.58/b, while naphtha gained $4.375/mt on the trading session to $580.50/mt. Trading in the paper markets led the gains for the day, with bids for the September paper FOB Korea contract seen as high as $746/mt by the morning trading session, compared to the last value of $734.50/mt on July 24. In the physical FOB Korea market, bids inched up to $739/mt. The morning intraday FOB Korea marker values for September laycans were at $740/mt. During the MOC process, buying interest in the physical market eventually caught up with interest seen in the paper markets. GS Caltex bid $748/mt for September...

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