Ethylene Oxide Market Morning Brief (September 17, 2026)

I. Key Points

1. 9/16: Efforts by multiple parties to ease tensions in the Middle East, combined with a stronger US dollar driven by Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, led to a decline in international crude oil prices. NYMEX WTI crude oil futures (October contract) fell $3.40/bbl to $102.43, a week-over-week change of -3.21%; ICE Brent crude oil futures (November contract) dropped $2.92/bbl to $105.83, a week-over-week change of -2.69%. China INE crude oil futures (November 2026 contract) rose 2.2 yuan to 838.4 yuan/bbl during the day session but fell 33.6 yuan to 804.8 yuan/bbl in the night session.

2. 9/16: The port ethylene USD CFR Northeast Asia price stood at $1,150/ton, remaining flat compared to the previous business day.

3. 9/16: The daily capacity utilization rate for China's ethylene oxide industry was 51.53%.

II. Price Table

Notes:

1. Prices refer to spot prices from the two preceding business days, not weekly averages.
2. All RMB prices in the table above are ex-works cash-inclusive tax prices.
3. Percentage changes represent period-over-period fluctuations.
4. Unit: Yuan/ton.

Source: Chempricehub Information

III. Market Outlook

Ethylene oxide prices are expected to remain high in the near term. Rising costs for monoethylene glycol (MEG) coupled with tight supply expectations may sustain an upward market trend, providing some support. Spot shortages of ethylene oxide persist, with the supply side offering price support. Downstream industries are adjusting operating rates within a narrow range while consuming inventory steadily. On the cost side, although ethylene supply is currently insufficient, transactions are primarily driven by rigid demand, limiting further upside momentum; however, costs provide bottom-line support. Overall, short-term fundamentals favor bullish factors, suggesting ethylene oxide prices will likely remain stable with a slightly strong bias. Attention should be paid to developments in both upstream and downstream sectors going forward.

Note:

1. ↓↑ indicates significant volatility, highlighting data dimensions with percentage changes exceeding 3%.
2. ↗↘ indicates minor fluctuations, highlighting data dimensions with percentage changes within 0-3%.

Source: Chempricehub Information