Chemical Updates

India PTA: Prices rise on tight supply; freight tightens amid Middle East conflict / Container unavailability pushes freight rates higher / Spread over PTA CFR China widens to $80/mt / Domestic PTA offtake strong as festive demand builds

Jul 25, 2026

Purified terephthalic acid prices in India rose in the week to July 24, tracking feedstock paraxylene values and a widening freight-driven premium over Chinese supply. Tight PTA operating rates in China, the world’s largest producer of the molecule, continued to support Chinese domestic prices during the week, while a persistent shortage of containers and ship space made the import situation difficult for Indian buyers. PTA CFR India at $911/metric ton on July 24, down $16/mt day over day and up $38/mt week over week, with the spread to PTA CFR China widening to $80/mt from $75/mt in the week prior. The spread was within indications heard at $75- $85/mt over PTA CFR China, which equated to $906-$916/mt on a CFR India basis. PTA buyers in India continued to find it...

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