For the week of Aug 21–27, 2026, the average weekly profit of China's phenol/acetone sample was -717 yuan/ton, up 101 yuan/ton from the previous period.
According to Chempricehub estimates, as of August 27, Sinopec East China's phenol/acetone profit was -474 yuan/ton, up 309 yuan/ton from August 20. During the week, Sinopec raised its listed benzene price by 250 yuan/ton to 8,250 yuan/ton. Sinopec East China's propylene price was cut by a cumulative 200 yuan/ton to 8,950 yuan/ton, putting the phenol/acetone cost at 13,400 yuan/ton. Sinopec East China kept its phenol ex-works price stable at 8,400 yuan/ton, while its acetone ex-works price was raised by a cumulative 700 yuan/ton to 7,300 yuan/ton. As a result, the theoretical loss for phenol/acetone producers narrowed somewhat.
Data source: Chempricehub
Table: Weekly comparison of China phenol/acetone sample profit
| Process | Aug 27 | Aug 20 | Change | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumene | -474 | -783 | +309 | +39.46% |
Data source: Chempricehub
During this period, East China benzene market prices declined. Output of petroleum-based benzene continued to rise with unit restarts, while hydrogenated benzene output fell on squeezed margins. Import volumes are expected to remain stable, so overall supply pressure persists. Demand was mixed: demand for benzene from styrene, phenol, aniline and adipic acid improved, while demand from caprolactam declined. Overall incremental demand was limited, and downstream buyers remained resistant to high-priced feedstock. With a clear supply recovery trend, limited demand support, and easing geopolitical expectations weighing on costs, the benzene market is expected to remain weak and volatile next week, with the price discussion range expected to shift down to 7,600–8,200 yuan/ton.
The domestic propylene spot market rose first and then fell this week. A tug-of-war between tight near-term supply and expectations for maintenance unit restarts, together with a marginal decline in downstream acceptance of high-priced feedstock, has weakened the momentum for further upward price moves. The market may shift into consolidation. Key factors to track include developments in the Middle East situation, the pace of PDH unit restarts, and changes in downstream buying sentiment. Shandong propylene prices are expected to move around 8,600–8,900 yuan/ton next week.
In the near term, fluctuations in the prices of both feedstocks need to be monitored. In the phenol market, end-user buying interest is weak and supply is expected to increase; prices are likely to ease modestly within a narrow range. In the acetone market, tight supply may ease, with end-users procuring mainly for rigid demand; prices are likely to fluctuate narrowly. Based on a comprehensive analysis of costs, phenol/acetone supply-demand balances and price trends, phenol/acetone producers are unlikely to see much improvement in their loss-making position next week.
Sample note: On the data release day, theoretical costs and profits are monitored using Sinopec East China's phenol/acetone and feedstock list prices as compiled by Chempricehub.
Glossary: Cost: Production cost refers to the total of direct expenses, direct labor, and indirect manufacturing costs incurred by an enterprise to produce a certain type and quantity of product. The phenol/acetone production cost here refers to the theoretical production cost based on the two major feedstocks (benzene and propylene).
Profit: Phenol/acetone production profit is calculated on the basis of petrochemical enterprise phenol/acetone prices, i.e., Sinopec East China's listed price minus total costs and additional expenses (excluding financial expenses).
Statistical methodology: The statistical period runs from last Friday to this Thursday, and profit data is compared between this Thursday and last Thursday. Chempricehub's phenol/acetone product profit is first-hand statistical data, released every working Thursday from 15:00 to 17:00.
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