In mid-July 2025, acetic acid prices in Japan remained stable as steady demand from PTA producers and strong seasonal consumption in polyester fibre, PET resin, and film offset softer regional acetyl chain conditions. Despite regional oversupply and weaker overseas benchmarks, Japanese sellers avoided discounts due to higher import costs from a depreciating yen and increased freight surcharges tied to container shortages at key ports. Domestic production stayed consistent, but the market’s reliance on Chinese and South Korean imports kept landed costs elevated. This combination of resilient demand and rising import-related expenses helped sustain pricing stability despite broader regional softness.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
