[Today's Plastics Market] Weakness Continues: PP, PVC, PS, PBT Slightly Down, PC Falls Up to 100

Summary: A summary of the prices and forecasts for general-purpose and engineering plastics in the market on August 27.General materialIn terms of market trends, high-priced PE transactions are facing resistance, with orders maintained at just-needed levels and some prices fluctuating up or down by 3-11; the PP market saw a slight decline of 10-30; PVC experienced weak fluctuations, with some prices dropping by 10-50; the ABS market saw a gradual decline of 30-50; cost support for PS has weakened, with individual prices dropping by 50.Engineering materialsIn terms of aspects, PC continued to decline, with some dropping by 50-100; PBT slightly fell by about 50 in some cases; PET continued to weaken, with individual drops of 30; POM, PA6, and PA66 remained stable and consolidated.

General materials

PE: High-price transactions are hindered, orders maintain just-needed demand.

1. Today's Summary

① The market has reassessed the progress of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, believing that there are still opportunities for easing geopolitical tensions, leading to a decline in international oil prices. NYMEX crude oil futures for the October contract closed at $63.25 per barrel, down $1.55, a decrease of 2.39% compared to the previous period; ICE Brent crude oil futures for the October contract closed at $67.22 per barrel, down $1.58, a decrease of 2.30% compared to the previous period.

②. The HDPE market price changed by -3 to 8 yuan/ton, the LDPE market price increased by 11 yuan/ton, and the LLDPE market price decreased by 4 yuan/ton.

2. Spot Market Overview

The macroeconomic benefits continue to boost market confidence, with increased support from the cost side. The fundamentals have somewhat improved, leading many operators to slightly raise prices. However, high prices face sales resistance, resulting in limited transaction volumes. The HDPE market price fluctuated by -3 to 8 yuan/ton, the LDPE market price increased by 11 yuan/ton, and the LLDPE market price decreased by 4 yuan/ton.

3. Price Prediction

In the short term, Recently, enterprise maintenance has increased, easing supply pressure. Downstream factories are restocking, but the intensity of restocking remains weak. Macroeconomic factors remain supportive, while market wait-and-see sentiment has increased. Expected Polyethylene prices are expected to fluctuate within a narrow range tomorrow. 。

PP: Today's domestic PP market is weak and consolidating.

1、Mainstream Market Closing Price of the Period

2、Market Overview

Today, the domestic PP market showed a weak consolidation, with a decline of 10-30 yuan/ton. The continued decline in PP futures dampened traders’ confidence in the market. With a strong willingness among traders to reduce inventories, spot offers were lowered accordingly. Most downstream factories remained cautious and took a wait-and-see approach, showing little enthusiasm for purchasing, making it difficult for demand to be released, which also put pressure on the PP market. As a result, the focus of PP spot prices edged down slightly.

PVC: Expected Insufficient Support, PVC Weak Shock

1. Today's Summary

Domestic PVC manufacturers' ex-factory prices have generally stabilized, with minor adjustments in some cases.

② Zhongjia and Huayi units resumed startup, Zhenyang, Formosa Ningbo, and Huatai plant areas are under maintenance.

3. The expectation of a Fed rate cut is heating up, and leading commodities are likely to rise as a result. 。

2 Spot Market Overview

Based on the Changzhou market in East China, today the spot cash ex-warehouse price of carbide-based PVC Type 5 in East China is 4,710 RMB/ton, down 50 RMB/ton compared to the previous trading day. 。

The domestic PVC spot market is experiencing a fluctuating downward adjustment. The decline in the black sector has led to weaker sentiment across related markets. Coupled with the fact that PVC spot market supply remains high and there are no highlights in domestic or foreign demand, spot market transaction prices have been adjusted downward during the session. The atmosphere for low-price transactions has improved. In the East China region, the cash price for calcium carbide-based PVC Type V is between 4,700 and 4,820 yuan/ton, while ethylene-based PVC is priced between 4,850 and 5,100 yuan/ton.

3. Price Forecast

The upstream black and other sectors' supply-demand contradiction expectations have weakened, causing intraday price fluctuations to decline and affecting related sectors' sentiment. In the short term, the PVC industry and sector have no relevant impact. Intraday prices are fluctuating downward due to weak fundamentals on both supply and demand. With the completion of enterprise maintenance, PVC supply is expected to recover, while domestic demand remains stable. Foreign trade export demand is mainly in a wait-and-see mode due to uncertain policies. Costs are strongly supporting the bottom. Overall, the domestic PVC spot market is expected to continue its short-term range-bound weakness, with the East China region's carbide-based PVC of Type 5 in the cash-on-delivery warehouse delivery range of 4650-4800 yuan/ton.

PS: Cost support is weakening, and the market is mainly focused on price reductions to clear inventory.

1 Today's Summary

1. Today, East China GPPS dropped by 50 and closed at 7,700 yuan/ton.

② On Wednesday, the East China styrene market fell by 85 to close at 7,240 yuan/ton, South China fell by 60 to close at 7,320 yuan/ton, and Shandong fell by 70 to close at 7,175 yuan/ton.

2 Spot Overview

According to Longzhong Information, today's GPPS price in East China dropped by 50 yuan to 7,700 yuan/ton.Due to the decline in raw material styrene, cost support has weakened, and merchants mainly slightly reduce prices to sell. Industry supply is increasing, downstream purchasing intentions are sluggish, and transaction conditions are poor.

3 Price prediction

The raw material styrene continues to decline, weakening cost support. Industry production has recovered, and downstream purchasing enthusiasm has decreased. In the short term, the PS market is likely to continue lowering prices to facilitate sales. It is expected that the price of modified PS in the East China market will be around 7,650-8,600 yuan/ton.

ABS: Raw material prices decline, market falls slightly today

1 Today's summary:

Today, prices in the East China market have slightly decreased in some areas; prices in the South China market have also slightly decreased in some areas, with market transactions driven by just-in-need demand.

② The monthly production of ABS increased month-on-month in August.

2 Spot Market Overview

Table 1 Summary of Domestic ABS Prices (Unit: RMB/ton)

Based on the Yuyao and Dongguan areas, prices in the East China market have slightly declined, and prices in the South China market have also slightly declined. Today, market transactions remain sluggish with numerous bearish factors present. Raw material prices have declined, reducing cost pressures for ABS. It is expected that domestic ABS market prices will continue to show a localized downward trend tomorrow.

3 Price prediction:

Taking Yuyao and Dongguan as the benchmarks, prices in the East China market have locally declined, while prices in the South China market have also fallen in some areas. Today's market transactions were average, with sluggish end-user demand. Traders are offering discounts to facilitate sales. ABS prices are expected to continue a weak downward trend tomorrow.

Engineering materials

PC: The domestic PC market slightly weak today.

1. Mainstream market current closing price

2. Market Overview

The domestic PC market saw a slight decline today. The mainstream price intention for domestic PC sources in East China is between 10,650-11,100 yuan/ton, down 50 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. In South China, the mainstream price intention for domestic PC sources is between 11,000-11,200 yuan/ton, also down 50 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. For imported sources, the market saw slight adjustments. The mainstream price for Lotte 1100 in East China is between 11,500-11,600 yuan/ton, remaining stable compared to the previous trading day; the mainstream price for Covestro 2805 in South China is between 14,000-14,100 yuan/ton, also stable compared to the previous trading day. During the trading day, some sellers slightly lowered their offers, while downstream demand remained modest, with cautious purchasing based on immediate needs. The PC market saw limited improvement in trading activity, with some source prices slightly decreasing. The price of raw material bisphenol A increased slightly, further compressing profit margins in the PC industry.

PBT: Price drop

1. Closing price of the mainstream market for the current period

2. Market Overview

The mainstream transaction range in the East China market today is 7,600-7,800 yuan/ton, with the negotiated average price dropping by 50 yuan/ton compared to the previous working day's closing price. The supply of PTA spot goods is abundant, and the market is declining. Additionally, BDO has slightly decreased. Overall, the cost support for PBT has shifted downwards. Furthermore, the negotiation atmosphere in the PBT market is average, with no public transactions reported yet, and the high-end price of PBT has decreased.

PET: Cost support declines, polyester bottle chip market weakens

1 Today’s Summary

Some factory prices remain stable, while others drop by 30. (Unit: Yuan/Ton)

The domestic polyester bottle chip capacity utilization rate reached 70.89% today.

2 Spot Overview

The spot price of PET bottle-grade in the East China region closed at 5920 today, down 30 from the previous working day, in line with the morning forecast.

The international crude oil prices have declined, coupled with the gradual absorption of positive news in the polyester industry, resulting in weaker cost support. Polyester bottle chip factory prices are partially stable, with some decreasing by 30. Downstream bids are at low levels, and the market trading focus is shifting downward. Mainstream transactions for August to October sources are between 5880-5950, slightly higher at 6010-6030, in units of RMB/ton.

3. Price Prediction

The processing fees for polyester bottle chips have been continuously under pressure recently, remaining at a low level. The market may see a surge of short-covering buying, and downstream buyers are also rigidly replenishing inventories at low prices, jointly supporting the short-term market bottom price. However, the positive news on the cost side has gradually been absorbed, and the cost support strength is weakening. In the short term, the market will be dominated by cost logic and show a slightly weak consolidation trend. It is expected that the spot price of polyester bottle flakes and water bottle materials in the East China market will be between 5860-5950 yuan/ton tomorrow, fluctuating weakly within this range. Going forward, attention should be paid to changes in raw material prices.

POM: Spot market faces pressure, sellers offer discounts to expedite sales.

1. Today's Summary

1. Inventory at the petrochemical plant is gradually accumulating.

②. Market concessions to facilitate transactions.

2 Spot Market Overview

Based on the Yuyao region, the price of Yun Tianhua M90 is 11,000 yuan/ton today, which is stable compared to the previous period. Today, the POM market remained mostly stable. Petrochemical plants experienced slow sales, and some inventory pressure increased. Market trading sentiment did not improve, with traders continuing discounting strategies. Some sellers offered negotiation space of 100-200 yuan/ton. By the close, the domestic POM prices in Yuyao market including tax ranged from 8,100 to 11,200 yuan/ton, while cash prices in Dongguan market ranged from 7,300 to 10,400 yuan/ton.

3. Price Forecast

Within the week Demand in various regions shows no signs of recovery. ， The pace of order follow-up is relatively slow. End-users continue to primarily digest previous inventories and have little interest in replenishing in the short term. The market sales situation is relatively sluggish, and traders still face some inventory pressure. Some offer prices continue to be discounted, and the buying and selling atmosphere is not optimistic. By the close of trading, the taxed price of domestic POM in the Yuyao market was 8,100-11,200 yuan/ton, and the cash price in the Dongguan market was 7,300-10,400 yuan/ton.

PMMA: Stable compared to the previous trading day's close.

1、Mainstream market current closing price

2、Market Overview

The mainstream market price intention for East China PMMA Chi Mei CM205 today is referenced at 13,900-14,100 yuan/ton, stable compared to the previous trading day. The price of raw material MMA is steady with a weak trend, and market participants have a generally moderate sentiment. The downstream maintains a buy-as-needed approach, with small orders being negotiated.

PA6: Downstream replenishes as needed at lower prices; PA6 market operates steadily.

1 Today's summary

①、 Sinopec's settlement price for high-end caprolactam in August 2025 is 9,330 RMB/ton (for liquid premium grade, six-month acceptance, self-pickup), an increase of 270 RMB/ton compared to the July settlement price.

②、 Sinopec has reduced the prices of pure benzene at its East China and South China refineries by 150 yuan/ton, implementing a new price of 6,000 yuan/ton, effective from August 27.

2 Spot Market Overview

Today, the nylon 6 market is consolidating, with the raw material market also undergoing consolidation. Polymer companies are maintaining stable quotations for now, but downstream buyers are mainly engaging in selective restocking based on short-term needs. Demand is limited, and market transactions are negotiable. In East China, conventional spinning PA6 is priced at 9200-9600 RMB/ton with short cash delivery, while high-speed spinning spot goods are priced at 9800-10000 RMB/ton with acceptance delivery. Chaohu is priced at 8550-8650 RMB/ton for cash self-pickup.

3 Price Forecast

From a cost perspective, the caprolactam market is consolidating, with sliced chip profits still in loss and cost pressures persisting; from a supply and demand perspective, domestic operating rates have decreased, reducing supply, but downstream demand is limited as buyers replenish selectively based on lower prices. It is expected that the PA6 market will undergo slight consolidation in the near term.

PA66: Downstream purchases according to demand, market operates in a consolidation phase.

1 Today's Summary

①. On August 26, the market reassessed the progress of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, believing that there were still opportunities for easing geopolitical tensions, leading to a drop in international oil prices. The NYMEX crude oil futures October contract closed at $63.25 per barrel, down $1.55, a decrease of 2.39% compared to the previous session; the ICE Brent crude oil futures October contract closed at $67.22 per barrel, down $1.58, a decrease of 2.30%. China's INE crude oil futures September 2025 contract rose by 4.2 to 497.7 yuan per barrel, but fell by 10.9 to 486.8 yuan per barrel in the night session.

The current domestic PA66 capacity utilization rate is 62%, with a daily output of approximately 2,430 tons. Despite cost and demand pressures, the capacity utilization rate of domestic polymerization 66 enterprises remains stable. However, the downstream demand is average, and the domestic PA66 industry has a sufficient supply of goods.

2 Spot Market Overview

Table 1 Domestic PA66 Price Summary (Unit: RMB/ton)

Based on the Yuyao market in East China, today's EPR27 market price reference is 15,100-15,300 RMB/ton, remaining stable compared to yesterday's price. 。 Raw material prices fluctuate and remain stable due to cost support. Downstream purchases are made as needed, and market transaction activity is generally moderate, with a consolidating trend.

3 Price Prediction

The market supply is sufficient, but the downstream demand is weak. Industry participants lack confidence in the future market outlook, and it is expected that the domestic PA66 market will undergo weak consolidation in the short term.