Daily Review: Domestic PC Market Narrowly Weakens Amid Cautious Downstream Purchasing

1. Market Conditions

On April 27, 2026, the domestic average market price for polycarbonate (PC) stood at RMB 17,404 per metric ton, down RMB 19 per metric ton (a decline of 0.11%) from the previous trading day. Today, the domestic PC market edged lower within a narrow range. Most planned plant maintenance shutdowns are scheduled for mid-to-late May; thus, supply remains relatively adequate in the short term. Downstream enterprises are purchasing on a just-in-time basis, with no notable pre-holiday stockpiling intention. As a result, the market’s supply-demand fundamentals remain weak, and cost support shows no signs of improvement. Consequently, some quoted prices continue to decline. Price ranges are as follows: for low-end grades in the East China region, mainstream negotiations stand at RMB 14,550–16,500 per metric ton; for mid-to-high-end grades, negotiations range from RMB 19,500–20,500 per metric ton.

Table: PC Market Prices

2. Upstream Market Dynamics

Crude Oil: The navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remains nearly at a standstill, with supply disruption risks supporting the market. However, the Iranian Foreign Minister has been in consultations with the Pakistani side, and the US and Iran are expected to start a second round of negotiations. International crude oil futures prices closed mixed. On April 24, the June futures for US WTI crude oil fell by $1.45 per barrel, or -1.51%, to $94.40 per barrel; the June futures for Brent crude oil rose by $0.26 per barrel, or 0.25%, to $105.33 per barrel. The main SC futures contract 2606 was quoted at 647.6 yuan per barrel.

Bisphenol A: The domestic market for bisphenol A remained and steady. At the start of the week, the market remained cautious by inertia, with producers showing reduced willingness to lower prices and sporadic attempts to hold firm. Downstream buyers made tentative inquiries but remained cautious in purchasing, with actual orders yet to follow through.

3. Market Outlook Prediction

Currently, the supply-demand fundamentals remain weak, and raw materials show no signs of improvement; thus, market participants may continue offering discounts to facilitate sales. The PC market is expected to remain stable but with a slight downward trend tomorrow. In the East China market, the price range for low-end grades is expected to be RMB 13,500–16,500 per ton, while the negotiation reference price for mid-to-high-end grades is expected to be RMB 19,000–20,000 per ton.