China’s Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) prices rebound in late December 2025, a 5.9% weekly, extending a 12-week bullish trend. The rally was supported by stronger feedstock MEG prices and more buying interest on accounts of production cut and planned output cut, tightening availability in the near term. Rise in feedstock MEG price along with short term strength in crude oil due to geopolitical tension helped cost push in polyester feedstock chain. Though prices are strong, the purchasing leading up to the Lunar New Year is still quiet as small holders in weaving and knitting report that they still have leftovers and sales are not picking up. Stable operating rates around at 91% for polyester units and the seasonal weakening in demand prevented aggressive buying. Transportation bottlenecks and end-of-year plant shutdowns were also behind the temporary shortage situation, which further strengthened the support to prices. According to ChemAnalyst, cost headwinds and supply constriction will continue to keep the PTA fundamentals firm into the early 2026, unless any abrupt impact on feedstock or demand emerges.
