Chemicals Updates

Asian PTA: Prices slip as crude weakens, polyester demand stalls / Midweek rebound fades as polyester sector remains soft / China's Sanfangxiang starts up first line of new

Aug 07, 2025

3 million mt/year PTA plant Asian purified terephthalic acid prices softened in the week ended Aug. 1, pressured by weaker upstream feedstock and crude oil markets amid persistently sluggish demand from the downstream polyester sector. PTA FOB China at $634/mt on Aug. 1, down $7/ mt from the previous day. The weekly average stood at $639/mt, up $2.80/mt week over week. The market saw a brief midweek rebound supported by firmer crude prices, but gains quickly faded as sentiment deteriorated toward the end of the week. "The operating rate of PET remains under pressure," said a regional producer. China's polyester operating rates declined to an estimated 88.2% as of July 31, from 88.7% the week prior, according to industry sources. Market participants said PTA fundamentals remained weak, with limited bullish...

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