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Underpinned by costs and with trading activity remaining decent, pyrolysis C9 prices continued to move higher (Aug 28-Sep 3, 2026).

Published on 2026-09-03

1. This Week's Market Highlights

  • This week, industrial pyrolysis C9 output was 60,200 tonnes, with an operating rate of 75.82%.
  • This week, pyrolysis C9 prices continued to rise, moving up 450 yuan/ton, with prices trading in a range of 5,400-5,650 yuan/ton.
  • This week, gross profit for industrial aromatic solvent was 4 yuan/ton, while gross profit for C9 thermally polymerized petroleum resin was -83 yuan/ton.

2. This Week's Market Analysis of Industrial Pyrolysis C9

This week, mainstream pyrolysis C9 prices across the country continued to move up. During the period, the earlier geopolitical conflict between the U.S. and Iran had yet to ease, pushing Brent crude oil prices higher and strengthening cost-side support. Gasoline replenishment demand was moderate, which supported industrial aromatic solvent prices in the early stage. Later, as geopolitical tensions showed signs of easing, crude oil fell for three consecutive days, and solvent prices pulled back from highs. Still, the weekly average closed higher, and overall transaction pace was acceptable. For C9 thermally polymerized petroleum resin, the upward move in pyrolysis C9 feedstock drove offer centers higher. However, downstream buyers showed obvious resistance to high-priced resources and purchased only on a rigid-demand basis, leading to a stalemate in trading. On the supply side, some enterprises cut operating loads, and there are expectations of unit restarts next week. During the period, pyrolysis C9 market availability declined slightly, cost support remained intact, downstream buying interest was fairly active, and independent refineries actively lifted quotations.

At present, pyrolysis C9 output and capacity utilization both declined from the previous period. Gross profits of the two major downstream products diverged: industrial aromatic solvent gross profit fell back sharply this period, while C9 petroleum resin gross profit remained negative. Output and consumption are expected to continue declining slightly in the coming period. Overall, the pyrolysis C9 market will remain firm in the short term.

Domestic Industrial Pyrolysis C9 Weekly Price Changes

Unit: yuan/ton

Market Last Week This Week Change
Northeast China 4,800 5,250 +450
North China 5,050 5,500 +450
East China 5,012 5,462 +450
Central China 5,050 5,500 +450
South China 5,080 5,563 +483

Data source: Chempricehub Intelligence

3. Downstream Market Analysis of Industrial Pyrolysis C9

1) C9 thermally polymerized petroleum resin

This period, the mainstream offer center for C9 thermally polymerized petroleum resin continued its upward trend, driven mainly by rising pyrolysis C9 feedstock prices. Resin prices kept climbing during the week, but as prices were pushed to higher levels, downstream resistance to high-priced resources intensified significantly. Purchases were currently limited to small volumes for rigid demand, and the trading atmosphere remained deadlocked. On the supply side, some enterprises lowered operating loads, dragging capacity utilization down from the previous period. Feedstock prices continued to rise, adding cost support, but downstream actual-order follow-through slowed, and the market showed low acceptance of high-priced resources, which limited how far resin offers could track feedstock gains. Overall, market prices moved up this week on cost support. At present, C9 thermally polymerized petroleum resin grade 10-11# is priced at 6,400-7,000 yuan/ton, and grade 16-18# at 3,900-5,000 yuan/ton.

2) Industrial aromatic solvent

During this period, domestic industrial aromatic solvent spot prices moved up slightly, with prices fluctuating in a range of 5,950-7,700 yuan/ton. This week, geopolitical tension resurfaced at a low level, and crude oil maintained high levels in the market. Downstream customers entered the market to replenish stock, auctions repeatedly closed at premiums, and transactions were acceptable. Downstream gasoline barge deals were moderate, with September delivery volumes expected to be roughly on par with August, supporting market consumption. Later, the possibility of geopolitical easing emerged once again, crude oil futures fell intraday, and auction premiums disappeared. Ultimately, the average price closed higher, with an overall acceptable transaction pace.

4. Next Week Market Forecast

Industrial pyrolysis C9 supply and demand are expected to remain broadly balanced next period, with prices holding firm. Key points to watch:

  1. Supply: No units are scheduled to resume operation after completing maintenance next period, and many enterprises will continue to run with fluctuating loads. Overall supply is expected to decline slightly.
  2. Demand: Liaoning Yufu’s C9 petroleum resin unit is expected to resume operation after maintenance, lifting the overall operating rate slightly. Downstream players remain resistant to high-priced raw materials, and purchasing enthusiasm is lackluster, providing limited support to market sentiment. Meanwhile, international crude oil futures are expected to rise next week, but that offers limited support. The gasoline market is expected to continue moving up, supporting industrial aromatic solvent prices. Prices of competing products are likely to rise rather than fall, and industrial aromatic solvent will follow gasoline, trending on the stronger side.
  3. Cost: Supported by favorable crude oil demand, the cost of pyrolysis C9 is expected to increase slightly.

Overall, pyrolysis C9 is expected to trade in a range of 5,500-5,700 yuan/ton next week.

For more weekly market analysis, please refer to the Industrial Pyrolysis C9 Weekly Report from Chempricehub Intelligence.

Comments

0
  • Yuki Tanaka 2026-09-08 10:17
    C9 margins remain squeezed at the resin end while feedstock costs push upstream; whether downstream demand can justify prices above 5,500 is the key risk to watch.
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