Weekly Outlook for the Phenol Market

I. Key Points

1. On September 24, the production profit for phenol and acetone enterprises was -643 RMB/ton, a decrease of 259 RMB/ton compared to September 20.
2. On September 24, port inventory of phenol in Jiangyin stood at 7,000 tons. Short-term focus should be on the replenishment volume from domestic shipping.
3. As of September 24, Sinopec East China’s opening price for phenol was set at 8,900 RMB/ton.
4. On September 24, the overall operating load of domestic phenol and acetone units was around 83%.

Core Logic: The loss margin for phenol and acetone enterprises has widened; Jiangyin port inventory has decreased slightly; Sinopec East China lowered its prices; and the operating level of domestic phenol and acetone units has increased.

II. Price List

III. Data List

IV. Market Outlook

Last week, the domestic phenol market was dominated by downward trends. Although raw material pure benzene showed an overall strong trend, cost-side positives were difficult to pass through. End-user enterprises had low willingness to purchase, with weak stocking sentiment amid falling prices. Demand inquiries remained low, and holders faced difficulties selling, leading to discount offers and a continuous downward shift in price centers. Both buyers and sellers participated cautiously, with limited negotiation progress. It is expected that today’s domestic phenol market will fluctuate within a narrow range. Attention should be paid to cost prices, end-user buying interest, and enterprise developments. Cautious operation is recommended.

V. Data Calendar