Production: The average operating load of domestic DOTP plants was 59.80% during this period.
Costs: Prices of the main raw material, n-octanol, rose, as did the average price of PTA (purified terephthalic acid).
Profits: The theoretical profit for sample DOTP enterprises today is approximately 311 RMB/ton.
| Product | Region/Category | Current Period Average | Previous Period Average | Change | % Change | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N-octanol | Shandong | 9780 | 9590 | +190 | 1.98% | RMB/ton |
| PTA | East China | 7156 | 6966 | +190 | 2.73% | RMB/ton |
| DOTP | Zhejiang | 10880 | 10660 | +220 | 2.06% | RMB/ton |
| DOP | Zhejiang | 10970 | 10800 | +170 | 1.57% | RMB/ton |
Data Source: Chempricehub Information
Domestic DOTP market prices remained firm and trended upward this week. In the Zhejiang region, weekly quotes ranged from 10,700 to 11,000 RMB/ton. Supported by geopolitical uncertainties, crude oil prices rose, driving an overall increase in the chemical sector. Prices for DOTP raw materials, n-octanol and PTA, increased simultaneously. Positive cost-side factors stimulated phased replenishment buying at lower levels, leading to a surge in transactions for low-priced goods. The tight spot supply situation became more pronounced, with most DOTP plants scheduling shipments based on existing orders, thereby supporting firm price increases. While downstream buyers were cautious about chasing higher prices, the continuous strength of crude oil, raw materials, and upstream propylene sustained market confidence. Multiple rounds of replenishment demand were released throughout the week, supporting DOTP prices in maintaining a strong upward trend.
Domestic DOTP plant capacity utilization rates rose this period, with an average load of around 60%.
On Thursday, the ex-factory price of DOTP in Zhejiang was 11,000 RMB/ton, up 300 RMB/ton compared to the previous Thursday.
On Thursday, the price of the main DOTP raw material, n-octanol, rose by 300 RMB/ton compared to the previous Thursday, while the other key raw material, PTA, rose by 272 RMB/ton.
The domestic DOTP market price is expected to remain firm and stable in the next period, with prices in the Zhejiang region projected to range between 11,000 and 11,300 RMB/ton.
From the cost perspective, the core raw material, n-octanol, has once again fallen into a loss-making position, creating significant cost pressure. This strengthens sellers' intent to probe for price increases, suggesting short-term potential for firm upward movement in the n-octanol market. Regarding PTA, although there are expectations of inventory accumulation due to supply-demand dynamics, cost support remains robust, implying that prices will likely fluctuate at high levels. Overall, positive factors on the DOTP cost side are dominant.
From the demand perspective, downstream demand is gradually recovering. Although caution prevails regarding following higher prices and enthusiasm for large-scale stockpiling is not high—leading to a lack of transaction sustainability which drags down the momentum of price increases—rigid demand persists in the market. Spot supply within the market appears temporarily tight, supporting sellers' efforts to maintain prices.
In summary, strong cost-side support combined with tight spot supply provides room for DOTP prices to remain firm and trend upward. However, cautious buying at high prices may limit the magnitude of the rise. Future attention should focus on geopolitical developments, with vigilance against market volatility risks caused by rapid reversals in crude oil sentiment.
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