DOTP Prices Spike and Then Retreat (Sept. 11–17, 2026)

1. Key Market Focus This Week

1. Production: The average operating rate of domestic DOTP plants during this period was 58.93%.

2. Cost: The average price of the main raw material, n-octanol in Shandong, rose, as did the average price of PTA.

3. Profit: The theoretical weekly profit for sample DOTP enterprises was approximately 330 CNY/ton.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

Domestic DOTP Industry Chain Weekly Price Change Table

Unit: CNY/ton

Data Source: Chempricehub Information

During this period, the domestic DOTP market prices softened slightly after an initial rise. The mainstream quoted range in the Zhejiang region was 10,400–10,700 CNY/ton within the week.

At the beginning of the period, strong upward momentum in crude oil prices, driven by supply risks from the disruption of Saudi crude pipelines and continued Houthi attacks, boosted the overall chemical sector. Supported by favorable cost-side conditions, DOTP traders continued to raise their quotes, hitting year-to-date highs. However, downstream demand follow-through was limited, with end-users showing weak acceptance of high-priced goods, leading to a gradual slowdown in new orders. Meanwhile, trading of the core raw material, n-octanol, also weakened, losing further upward momentum and weakening the cost support for DOTP. Currently, industry profit margins remain acceptable, and factories have a strong willingness to take orders. Some holders of profitable positions sought to lock in gains by offering discounts to clear inventory, increasing the availability of low-priced goods and pressuring the price center downward. Nevertheless, limited spot inventory on the market, combined with raw material prices remaining at high levels, has constrained the downside space for DOTP. At present, transactions are mostly driven by rigid demand, resulting in a stalemate in trading activity and a prevailing wait-and-see sentiment.

3. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors

1. During this period, the capacity utilization rate of domestic DOTP plants declined, with an average load rate of around 59%.

2. On Thursday of this week, the ex-factory price of DOTP in Zhejiang was 10,650 CNY/ton, an increase of 300 CNY/ton compared to last Thursday.

3. On Thursday of this week, the price of the main raw material, n-octanol, increased by 200 CNY/ton compared to last Thursday, while the other key raw material, PTA, rose by 470 CNY/ton.

4. Next Week's Market Forecast

Cost Side: Trading of the core raw material, n-octanol, remains sluggish, and high prices may face pressure. The n-octanol market is expected to trade narrowly and weakly next week. For PTA, supply increases are still anticipated, leading to a further expansion of inventory accumulation according to the balance sheet. Additionally, easing tensions in the Middle East and falling oil prices are dampening market sentiment, suggesting that high PTA prices may also face pressure. Sentiment regarding DOTP costs has turned bearish, forming a negative factor for DOTP market prices.

Supply and Demand Side: DOTP plant operating rates are expected to increase next week; however, most enterprises currently do not face significant inventory accumulation pressure. Downstream buyers are mainly engaging in phased restocking when prices dip but show reluctance towards current high prices, resulting in poor new order execution which drags on the market.

Comprehensive Outlook: Both the cost and demand sides for DOTP currently present bearish signals. However, there is no obvious inventory pressure across upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain. Furthermore, the related product DOP is operating with slim profits, which may provide bottom-price support for the DOTP market and limit the extent of discounts offered by sellers. Attention must also be paid to changes in the geopolitical situation to guard against rapid shifts in crude oil sentiment impacting prices. The mainstream operating range for the Zhejiang DOTP market next week is predicted to be 10,300–10,700 CNY/ton.

For more weekly market analysis, please refer to the Chempricehub Information DOTP Weekly Report.