Strong Cost-Driven Momentum: Domestic Cyclohexanone Market Follows Upward Trend (Oct 8–10, 2026)

1. Key Market Focus This Week

① Feedstock pure benzene prices rose to high levels, creating significant cost pressure.
② The integration rate between cyclohexanone and caprolactam is high, resulting in a weak supply-demand balance for spot cyclohexanone.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

During this period, the weekly average market price of cyclohexanone increased. The weekly average spot price in East China reached 11,350 RMB/ton, representing an approximate 5.21% increase compared to the previous week's average. Throughout the week, the feedstock pure benzene market rallied strongly, with Sinopec’s listed pure benzene price rising to 10,600 RMB/ton. This provided robust support on the cost side. Meanwhile, the operating rates for standalone cyclohexanone production facilities declined. Driven by strong cost pressures, domestic PA66 (polyamide 66) market prices also advanced significantly.

3. Next Week Market Forecast

The spot cyclohexanone market is expected to follow pure benzene trends and fluctuate accordingly in the coming period. Key factors to watch include:

1. Supply Side: Operating rates for domestic standalone cyclohexanone units remain low, keeping spot supply stable.
2. Demand Side: A large proportion of domestic capacity integrates cyclohexanone with caprolactam production, ensuring ample self-supply of raw materials for caprolactam producers. Follow-up orders from the fiber sector remain weak, while solvent users continue purchasing strictly based on immediate needs, leading to overall sluggish demand performance.
3. Cost Side: Pure benzene basis spreads have weakened, and market sentiment has cooled compared to earlier periods. However, regional demand remains stable, and daily trading activity is healthy. Short-term prices are expected to fluctuate within a narrow range.

In summary, cost support for cyclohexanone persists, and the market remains in a state of weak supply-demand equilibrium. Short-term trends will likely track the fluctuations of its primary feedstock, pure benzene.