The global 1,4 Butanediol (BDO) market came under increasing pressure in mid-August 2025 as supply-driven demand continued to weaken and downstream activity remained soft. China is leading the decline as traders were cautious and limited their amount of spot purchases. Recently higher operating rates in sectors such as PTMEG and PBT forced supply up, but demand continued to lag. Logistical delays and softness in feedstock costs improved bearish sentiment. However, the Germany and U.S. markets remained stable, buoyed by steady production and exporter discipline. There remains a distinct expectation for stabilization in the near-term, encouraged by seasonal pre-stocking and strengthened demand from downstream inquiries, but concerns still remain about sufficient macro softness and an overhang on inventory.
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.
