In the United States, o-xylene prices remained steady through the first half of May, as supported by steady demand from the downstream phthalic anhydride sector and balanced supply conditions. Prices for feedstock naphtha decreased moderately over the same period, but this had minimal influence on o-xylene prices due to consistent domestic production and smooth logistics.
There were no major disruptions in manufacturing or transportation and inventories were sufficient to meet both domestic and export requirements. For the weeks ending May x, and May xx, the price for o-xylene remained unchanged at USD xxx/MT FOB Texas.
A continuation of stable consumption patterns, particularly from plasticizer applications tied to construction and packaging, undergirded the market. Export demand also remained steady, lending support to market fundamentals. Buyers were cautious about procurement due to other economic uncertainties, although seasonal factors in construction provided some support.
