Chemical Updates

Asian Styrene Monomer: Prices dip on weaker downstream demand / SM prices fall on weak polymer demand / China port inventories fall 800 mt weekly

Jul 25, 2026

Styrene monomer CFR China and FOB Korea at $1,171/mt and metric ton,156/mt July 24, falling $8.50/mt day over day, tracking the movement in the domestic China market. The September EB2609 SM futures contract listed on the Dalian Commodity Exchange slid Yuan 94/mt to Yuan 8,850/mt July 24 in the afternoon trading session at 3 pm Beijing time. “We expected some polystyrene demand rebound after the re-escalation of the Middle East conflict, but actual demand has continued to decline,” a Northeast Asia-based trade source said. “Higher crude oil and petrochemical prices are putting pressure on finished product prices, and I believe this will further suppress demand in the second half of this year,” the source said. Elsewhere, demand was heard slower in Southeast Asia, regional market participants told. “Actual polymer demand...

Exclusive market movement data, shipping lineups, demand signals and pricing rationale continue in full report.

Unlock complete article access with a paid account.

Continue Reading With Membership

This is a preview. Login and activate a paid plan to read the complete article.