This week, the phthalic anhydride market experienced a volatile decline. According to the commodity market analysis system of Business Society, as of February 5th, the price of ortho-xylene-based phthalic anhydride was quoted at 6,193.33 yuan per ton, representing a volatile decrease of 1.43% compared to the price of 6,283.33 yuan per ton on January 21st. Starting from late January, the price of phthalic anhydride has been fluctuating downward. The price of raw material ortho-xylene remained stable, while the price of industrial naphthalene experienced a volatile decline, leading to a reduction in costs. The operating rate of phthalic anhydride enterprises dropped to around 60%, resulting in a tightening of phthalic anhydride supply. Consequently, the price of phthalic anhydride continued to fluctuate downward.

Cost Reduction and Supply Tightening in Phthalic Anhydride
On February 5th, Sinopec's quotation for ortho-xylene was 6,400 yuan per ton, remaining stable compared to the price of 6,400 yuan per ton on January 21st. In February, the price of industrial naphthalene in East China ranged from 4,200 to 4,400 yuan per ton, a decrease from the late January quotation of 4,350 to 4,700 yuan per ton, leading to a reduction in phthalic anhydride production costs. In February, the operating load of phthalic anhydride equipment dropped to 61%, resulting in decreased production and a tightening of phthalic anhydride supply.

Demand Side: DOP Prices Fluctuate Downward
According to the commodity market analysis system of Business Society, as of February 5th, the price of DOP was 7,925.84 yuan per ton, representing a volatile decrease of 1.25% compared to the price of 8,025.84 yuan per ton on February 2nd. The operating load of plasticizer DOP enterprises remained stable at around 65%, with stable DOP production, indicating continued support for phthalic anhydride demand.

Future Market Forecast
Analysts from Business Society's phthalic anhydride product data analysis believe that, in terms of costs, the price of ortho-xylene remains stable, while the price of industrial naphthalene has significantly declined, leading to a reduction in raw material prices and a decrease in phthalic anhydride production costs. On the supply side, the operating rate of phthalic anhydride enterprises has decreased, resulting in reduced production and a tightening of supply. Looking ahead, with declining costs, tightening supply, and stable demand, it is expected that the price of phthalic anhydride will stabilize with some fluctuations in the future.