Ethylene Oxide holds steady as crude gains and supply constraints support polycarboxylate monomer prices

I. Key Focus Points

1. October 30: The market is focused on the potential escalation of US-Iran conflicts, while Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have exacerbated supply risks, driving up international crude oil prices. NYMEX WTI crude oil futures (December contract) rose by $2.12/bbl to $104.12, a +2.08% change from the previous session; ICE Brent crude oil futures (December contract) rose by $2.76/bbl to $117.64, a +2.40% change. China INE crude oil futures (contract 2612) fell by 8.3 yuan/bbl to 727.6 yuan/bbl during the day session, but rose by 30.9 yuan/bbl to 758.5 yuan/bbl in the night session.
2. October 30: In the main East China market, ethylene oxide prices remained stable at 9,700 yuan/ton compared to the previous period.

II. Price Table

Table 1: Summary of Domestic Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Monomer Prices (Unit: Yuan/ton)

Data Source: Chempricehub Information

III. Market Outlook

Today, domestic polycarboxylate superplasticizer monomer prices are expected to remain strong and stable. The key raw material, ethylene oxide, is likely to maintain stability. As previously shut-down units for maintenance have not yet resumed operation, the supply side provides short-term support to the market. Downstream users are primarily consuming contracted volumes steadily. High-priced transactions in the ethylene market are generally weak, and sentiment for chasing highs in derivatives remains poor. Prices are expected to consolidate at high levels, with the cost side providing bottom-line support. Monomer producers are actively shipping goods with no willingness to offer discounts. However, downstream users lack pricing power and face poor profitability, focusing on inventory digestion in the short term and showing resistance to new orders at high prices. Transactions are negotiated based on volume. In summary, the price of EPEG in the main East China market is expected to range between 10,200 and 10,500 yuan/ton today.

IV. Data Calendar

Data Source: Chempricehub Information
Notes:
1. ↓↑ indicates significant fluctuations, highlighting data dimensions with changes exceeding 3%.
2. ↗↘ indicates narrow-range fluctuations, highlighting data dimensions with changes within 0-3%.