In the first half of September, the dichloromethane market continued its strong upward trend since the end of August. As of September 15th, the mixed price of dichloromethane in Shandong region was 2395 yuan/ton, an increase of 11.66% from the beginning of the month.
Analysis of Market Driving Factors
Cost side: Strong upward trend of dual raw materials, forming the core driving force
The direct raw materials of dichloromethane are methanol and liquid chlorine, and their prices strengthened synchronously in the first half of September, which is the core driving force behind this round of rebound. Methanol continues to rise, with an increase of over 15% within half a month. The significant increase in methanol prices has directly pushed up the production cost of dichloromethane. Liquid chlorine has gradually rebounded from around 150 yuan/ton in early September, with an increase of over 100% within half a month. The rapid recovery of liquid chlorine has a significant marginal impact on the cost side.
Supply and demand: The supply is still relatively loose, and the demand is lukewarm
On the supply side, the operating rate of the methane chloride industry showed a rebound trend in the first half of September. In August, some major enterprises reduced their losses or stopped for maintenance, but there was a lack of obvious new maintenance plans in September. In addition, Gansu Juhua’s new production capacity is expected to be released, and the overall supply in the industry is still relatively loose.
On the demand side, September entered the traditional seasonal demand peak season, but the actual performance was mediocre. There is an expected growth in demand for R32 refrigerant in the core downstream sector, but the increase is limited due to flat terminal consumption; The overall orders for downstream solvents (coatings, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc.) are weak, and there is a lack of initiative to replenish inventory; The demand in the export market has also been lackluster. After a round of concentrated replenishment in early September, the enthusiasm of downstream and traders to receive goods began to decline in mid September, and the demand side’s ability to accept high prices has weakened.
Future forecast
Against the backdrop of high prices of raw materials such as methanol and liquid chlorine in the short term, the cost side still provides strong support for the bottom of prices, and manufacturers’ willingness to raise prices will not diminish in the short term. But after a rapid rise in early September, the price has risen to a temporary high, and downstream resistance to high prices has increased. The follow-up efforts of the demand side have slowed down, and the space for further significant upward movement is constrained. It is expected that the short-term market will mainly fluctuate at a high level and narrow range, digesting the previous gains.

The domestic PP market remained positive in the first half of September, with prices of various grades of products increasing. As of September 14th, the benchmark price for PP wire drawing was quoted at 10100 yuan/ton, an increase of 5.83% compared to the beginning of the month.
price trend
In terms of raw materials:
The situation in the Middle East was turbulent in the first half of September, making it difficult to implement a ceasefire agreement. The shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz have risen, and there are concerns in the market about international crude oil supply. Geopolitical premiums continue to rise, and the remote cost value of PP has risen at a high level. Within the range, propylene also rose due to the boost from the rise in crude oil. The downstream demand has slightly improved, and although the supply of propylene has increased, it has risen to a high level due to the dual benefits. Combined with the rise of thermal coal, the raw material side provided strong support for PP in the first half of September.
Supply side:
In September, domestic PP enterprises experienced a combination of maintenance and restart, with an overall operating rate of nearly 70%, which was relatively stable compared to the end of last month. Recently, enterprises in Guangxi, Dongguan, and other regions have plans to increase their load, and there are expectations of a slight increase in supply in the future. The current weekly average production is still around 720000 tons, and the inventory level is relatively low at around 540000 tons. Overall, the slow recovery of supply and low inventory levels have provided some support for spot prices, and the supply side’s support for spot prices is still acceptable.
In terms of demand:
The current consumption of polypropylene is in the traditional peak season, and demand has gradually emerged from the off-season level since the beginning of the month, with downstream markets in the industry slowly following suit. However, due to the off-season trend on the cost side and the fact that PP spot prices have risen to a high level, buyers’ acceptance of high priced goods is insufficient, and the overall trading atmosphere is cautious. The terminal enterprise strategy tends to be on-demand, with scattered small orders and poor enthusiasm for building warehouses on site. The operating rate of small and medium-sized enterprises has slightly improved, and the downstream load is slightly higher than 45%. Overall, the demand side provides moderate support for PP.
Future forecast
In the first half of September, the domestic PP market saw a significant increase in prices. Fundamentally speaking, the cost side is strong, but it also puts pressure on PP’s off-season cost values. Moderate increase in demand side orders, cautious downstream operations. PP analysts believe that the current PP market is mainly boosted by cost values, while also benefiting from the traditional peak season and tight supply balance. Suggestions for the follow-up direction are to pay attention to the situation of device return and the US Iran situation in the Middle East.

This week, supply has increased while demand has been weak. Manufacturers have continuously lowered their quotes, and the price of raw material propylene continues to rise sharply. The market has rebounded after a decline near the weekend. As of September 11th, the mainstream negotiated price for tank self pickup in the East China market is 10900-11000 yuan/ton, a decrease of 600-700 yuan/ton compared to last week; The mainstream negotiated price for delivery within the Shandong market area is between 10650-10750 yuan/ton, a decrease of 600 yuan/ton compared to last week.
Supply increase:
During the week, the acrylonitrile plant in East China gradually resumed as scheduled, and the overall supply significantly increased. According to statistics, this week (September 4-10), the capacity utilization rate of the domestic acrylonitrile industry reached 74.02%, an increase of 1.83% compared to the previous cycle; The weekly output is about 86400 tons, which is+0.22 million tons compared to the previous cycle. The supply gradually increased during the week, and the inventory of some enterprises rose. On September 9th, the total inventory of domestic acrylonitrile factories was about 46500 tons, an increase of+0.65 million tons from last week.
Decreased demand:
This week, the overall utilization rate of downstream major industries’ production capacity decreased, with ABS production capacity utilization rate at 56.4%, a decrease of -1.1% compared to last week, and some factories experiencing a decrease in load; The capacity utilization rate of acrylic fiber enterprises was 49.83%, which was -1.42% compared to last week; The utilization rate of acrylamide production capacity was 56.81%, an increase of 0.94% compared to last week. Overall, the demand for acrylonitrile has decreased.
Cost increase:
During the week, crude oil and propylene prices rose strongly, leading to a significant increase in raw material costs. At the same time, acrylonitrile prices experienced a wide decline, resulting in a significant decrease in theoretical production profits. According to statistics, as of September 11th, the mainstream closing price of Shandong propylene market is based on 10000-10050 yuan/ton, with an average price of 10025 yuan/ton, an increase of 725 yuan/ton from last week; The average production cost of acrylonitrile is 12155 yuan/ton, with a month on month increase of 2.94%. The average profit of acrylonitrile production during the same period was -1155 yuan/ton, with a month on month decrease of -1097 yuan/ton.
Post forecast: Currently, the fundamentals are still weak, but the pressure on the cost side is increasing. Suppliers are stabilizing prices and observing, and spot trading is also improving. The supply side maintains growth, but the increase is not as expected. Due to the significant increase in raw material costs, the pressure of losses may prompt some devices to reduce their load. At the same time, the mentality of buying up may also stimulate downstream users to follow up and replenish. There is also a certain demand for stocking before the long holiday. In addition, overseas supply is limited, and export volume has also increased in stages. Overall, the acrylonitrile market may have a slight rebound performance in the short term.

1、 Price trend
On September 10th, the market price of cyclohexanone in Shandong was referenced at 10200 yuan/ton, an increase of 1000 yuan/ton or 10.87% compared to September 1st (reference price of cyclohexanone was 9200 yuan/ton).
In early September, the domestic cyclohexanone market in Shandong showed a gradually warming trend. The cyclohexanone market has been continuously rising since the beginning of the month, with the focus of negotiations breaking through the 10000 yuan mark. As of September 10th, the domestic cyclohexanone market price in Shandong region is around 10100-10200 yuan/ton.
2、 Analysis of Core Influencing Factors
In terms of cost: In early September, the market price of pure benzene on the raw material side of cyclohexanone rose at a high level, and the cost support provided by the raw material side to cyclohexanone increased. Driven by cost, the price of cyclohexanone continued to rise.
In terms of supply and demand: Currently, the spot supply of cyclohexanone is relatively stable, and downstream buyers are cautious in the face of high prices, with weak transmission between supply and demand being the main factor.
3、 Future forecast
At present, the inquiry atmosphere in the cyclohexanone market in Shandong is average, and there is a certain wait-and-see sentiment downstream. The cost support for cyclohexanone is still strong, and data analysts predict that in the short term, the cyclohexanone market in Shandong will mainly operate on a strong side. More attention needs to be paid to changes in supply and demand as well as cost side news.

Market trend
The PA6 spot market has shown an accelerated upward trend in the past week (September 2-8). On September 2nd, the price of PA6 was reported at 13466.67 yuan/ton, and as of September 8th, it has risen to 14500.00 yuan/ton, with a cumulative increase of 7.67% during the week. From the perspective of cycle position, the 60 day cycle price is in the high range; The prices of the 3-month and 1-year cycles are both in the high range, and the moving average model sends a clear upward signal. However, the price position of the multi cycle is already at a high level, and there is limited room for further upward movement. In the medium and long term, we need to be vigilant about the risk of a pullback.
influencing factors
Cost end
The upstream pure benzene price remained high, driving up the production cost of caprolactam. In the first week of September, Sinopec raised the weekly closing price of caprolactam by 230 yuan/ton to 13150 yuan/ton. The spot price of liquid caprolactam in East China also increased, and the support for PA6 raw material costs significantly strengthened. The rising cost of raw material procurement for aggregation enterprises has forced the slicing quotation to increase, and cost has become the core driving force behind the rise of PA6 in this round. However, there are expectations of resuming production in the later stage of the caprolactam unit, and the foundation for the continuous surge in raw material prices is insufficient.
Supply and demand side
On the supply side, some PA6 polymerization units in China are under maintenance, and the overall operating level of the industry is moderate, with limited market spot growth; After initial consumption, the inventory of factories and traders is relatively low, and the reluctance of holders to sell is increasing. The willingness to ship at low prices is weakening, and the tight supply of goods is driving up spot prices.
On the demand side, downstream spinning and modification industries are expected to experience the peak season of the Golden September. Some downstream enterprises are concerned about the continued rise in raw materials and have carried out preventive replenishment, resulting in a rebound in inquiries and transactions; However, there has not been an explosive growth in actual orders at the terminal, and downstream factories have shown resistance to high-level slicing. Most companies still insist on purchasing on demand, with weak willingness to hoard goods on a large scale, and limited follow-up efforts on transactions under high prices. Driven by costs during the week, some downstream and trading companies restocked in small quantities, but the overall transaction quality was average.
Future forecast
The PA6 market is expected to maintain a strong and volatile pattern in the short term in the future. The high level of upstream caprolactam provides cost support, coupled with the expectation of replenishing inventory during the peak season of Jinjiu, there is still some upward momentum in prices. However, in the short term, the price has already reached a high level at most, and downstream terminals have limited ability to take on the market. After a rapid rise, there is profit taking pressure in the market, and it is difficult to sustain a significant upward trend. Therefore, it is necessary to be alert to the risk of periodic pullbacks.