According to data monitored by Business Society, the price of carbon black remained stable and upward this week. As of the 8th, the domestic N220 carbon black market price was 10300 yuan/ton.

In terms of raw materials, the market price of coal tar has risen this week. As of the 7th, the price of coal tar was 4925 yuan/ton. After the Spring Festival, the third round of price reduction for coke has landed, and the profitability of coke enterprises is about to lose, leading to a decline in their operating rate. The supply of coal tar in the field is tight, and downstream enterprise raw material inventory is rapidly digesting. The enthusiasm for purchasing coal tar has greatly increased, and the operating load of coke enterprises continues to decrease. The supply of coal tar in the field is relatively tight, and prices have risen. At present, the terminal demand for high-temperature coal tar is still acceptable, providing strong support for the cost of carbon black.

Construction status: Most carbon black enterprises have maintained a high level of construction this week.

In terms of terminals: The tire industry has abundant domestic and foreign sales orders, significantly increased production, and improved shipments. The current market inquiry enthusiasm has significantly increased, and the demand for raw material carbon black is still acceptable.

In the future, the rising prices of high-temperature coal tar in the market will strengthen the support for the cost of carbon black; The downstream tire industry has seen a significant increase in inquiries for entry into the market, and merchants have a good purchasing mentality. It is expected that the carbon black market will operate steadily, moderately, and strongly in the short term.

1、 Price trend

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Business Society, the average price of domestic ammonium sulfate market was 896 yuan/ton on March 1st, and 890 yuan/ton on March 7th. This week, the price of domestic ammonium sulfate market decreased by 0.74%.

2、 Market analysis

The domestic ammonium sulfate market price has fallen this week. At present, the market trading is flat, and there is resistance from downstream towards high prices, resulting in low price transactions. Ammonium sulfate manufacturers and distributors have slightly adjusted prices and are actively shipping. As of March 7th, the mainstream ex factory quotation for coking grade ammonium sulfate in Shandong region is around 830 yuan/ton. The mainstream ex factory quotation for ammonium sulfate in Shandong region is around 920-940 yuan/ton.

3、 Future Market Forecast

Analysts from Business Society believe that the price of ammonium sulfate has been weakening recently. The market demand is average, and the transaction atmosphere is poor. It is expected that the domestic ammonium sulfate market will slightly weaken in the short term, with consolidation and operation being the main trend.

According to monitoring data from Business Society, as of March 6, 2023, the reference price of n-butanol in Shandong Province, China was 8133 yuan/ton. Compared with March 1 (reference price of n-butanol was 8383 yuan/ton), the price decreased by 250 yuan/ton, a decrease of 2.98%. Compared to February 1st (reference price of n-butanol at 8816 yuan/ton), the price has been reduced by 200 yuan/ton, a decrease of 7.75%.

Entering March, the overall market for n-butanol in Shandong, China continued its downward trend from the end of February. Currently, the low-end price of n-butanol is still available for trading, but the overall atmosphere on the market is limited. The overall supply of some n-butanol in Shandong region is relatively loose, and some factories are under certain supply pressure. Therefore, currently, n-butanol factories are mainly actively offering discounts for shipments, and the overall transaction focus of n-butanol is constantly moving downwards. Some factories have quoted prices of n-butanol below 8000 yuan/ton. As of March 6th, the domestic market price of n-butanol in Shandong region is around 7900-8300 yuan/ton.

Future analysis

At present, the overall supply level of n-butanol in China has improved, with factories mainly maintaining low inventory shipments and downstream users mainly restocking on dips. The overall market transactions are hovering at the low end. According to the n-butanol data analyst from Business Society, in the short term, the domestic n-butanol market will mainly adjust and operate within a narrow range, and the specific trend still needs to pay more attention to changes in supply and demand news.

According to the commodity market analysis system of Shengyishe, the mainstream price of styrene in Shandong has recently risen. At the beginning of the week, the average price of styrene in Shandong was 8964.00 yuan/ton, and on the weekend, the average price of styrene in Shandong was 9020.00 yuan/ton, an increase of 0.62%. The price has increased by 5.19% compared to the same period last year.

styrene

Recently, the market price of styrene has risen. From the above chart, it can be seen that the price of styrene has been mainly fluctuating and consolidating in the past three months, and this week’s market has rebounded slightly after experiencing last week’s decline. The crude oil market is on the rise, with good cost support. Styrene mainly follows changes in raw materials, and the demand for essential goods tends to stabilize with a small increase, resulting in a slight increase in the market.

In terms of raw materials, the price of pure benzene has slightly decreased this week, and the market atmosphere is stagnant. Both buyers and sellers have a clear wait-and-see attitude. Shandong has been experiencing consecutive days of poor shipments, putting pressure on some refineries’ inventory and causing prices to continue to decline. After the price drop, the follow-up of buying gas is average, with a focus on just needs.

On the downstream side, the prices of styrene in the three major downstream markets have fluctuated. The average quotation for PS this week is 9766.67 yuan/ton. PS cost support, with transactions mainly focused on essential purchases, and it is expected that the domestic PS (polystyrene) price may fluctuate in the short term.

The EPS market remained stable this week, with an average price of 10325.00 yuan/ton for ordinary materials over the weekend. EPS is affected by the upstream pull up, and the market atmosphere has slightly improved. It is expected that the domestic EPS market may experience a narrow range of fluctuations.

The domestic ABS market has been relatively stable recently. As of March 5th, the average price of ABS products is 11787.50 yuan/ton. The overall performance of the upstream three materials of ABS is relatively strong, which enhances the support for the cost side of ABS. Petrochemical plant operations continue to decrease, and supply pressure has significantly eased. On the demand side, due to the delayed resumption of work by downstream enterprises, ABS consumption during the cycle is average. After the merchant’s offer has increased, there is a practice of offering discounts and shipping orders. The expectation of increased demand in the short term in the future is not good, and it is expected that the ABS market may be hindered in its growth.

Recently, international oil prices have fluctuated at high levels, with good cost support. However, the demand for styrene spot is still weak, and it is expected that the short-term volatility in the styrene market will mainly decrease.

Acetic anhydride prices fluctuated and fell in February

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Shengyishe, as of February 29th, the price of acetic anhydride was 5425 yuan/ton, a decrease of 7.66% from the price of 5875 yuan/ton on February 1st; On March 4th, the price of acetic anhydride was 5350 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1.38% compared to February 29th; The price of acetic anhydride has dropped by 8.94% compared to February 1st. Before the Spring Festival, the price of acetic acid remained stable, but after the holiday, there was nationwide snowfall this week, which hindered regional transportation and resulted in sluggish transactions of acetic acid. The price of acetic acid fluctuated and fell, and the cost of acetic anhydride decreased; Before the Spring Festival, the price of acetic anhydride started at a low level, but after the holiday, acetic anhydride enterprises resumed production. The supply of acetic anhydride increased, but downstream demand remained weak. The supply and demand of acetic anhydride were weak, and the price of acetic anhydride fell in February.

Acetic acid prices fluctuated and fell in February

According to the analysis system of the acetic acid market in Shengyishe, as of February 29th, the price of acetic acid was 3100 yuan/ton, a decrease of 6.06% compared to the price of 3300 yuan/ton on February 1st; On March 4th, the price of acetic acid was 3050 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1.61% compared to February 29th; The price of acetic acid has dropped by 7.58% compared to February 1st. Before the holiday, downstream stocking came to an end and gradually entered a state of vacation. The market trading atmosphere was weak, and at the same time, due to the influence of weather, factory shipments were poor, and acetic acid prices remained stable; At the beginning of the holiday, the factory continued its pre holiday state with stable quotations. As the company’s inventory accumulated, downstream restocking was insufficient, coupled with rainy and snowy weather, the manufacturer’s shipments were hindered, and inventory pressure increased. In addition, acetic acid companies started operating at a high level, resulting in a high supply of acetic acid and a fluctuating decline in the acetic acid market price.

Future prospects

According to data analysts from Business Society, the price of acetic acid has fluctuated and fallen, resulting in a decrease in the cost of acetic anhydride; After the holiday, acetic anhydride enterprises started at a high level, coupled with a significant increase in acetic anhydride production capacity, the supply of acetic anhydride increased; In terms of demand, the demand for acetic anhydride remains weak. Overall, the cost of acetic anhydride has decreased, supply and demand have weakened, and the price of acetic anhydride has fluctuated and fallen.