In July 2025, mixed xylene prices in the U.S. decreased steadily during the first three weeks. Deficient export demand, competitive offers internationally, and relatively strong domestic supply were evident in U.S. prices even amid fluctuations in the price of feedstock naphtha. Each week saw prices drop by 1.1% the first week 2.2% the second week and 1.1% the third week. In Germany conditions were different where prices moved down 5.9% in the first week, up ticked 4.4% in the second week, and back up to 0.6% in the third week, as firm export demand and improved logistics were apparent. Prices in the U.S. are expected to increase while Germany prices ease slightly.
In the first three weeks of July 2025, Mixed Xylene prices in the USA continued to fall as competition for alternative feedstocks and weak demand for exports contributed to lower prices. For the first week of July, mixed xylene prices fell by 1.1%, reversing the prior week’s gains. The drop was primarily attributed to a steep 7.6% fall in upstream naphtha prices, even as domestic demand remained steady from local blenders and chemical manufacturers. Mixed xylene supply conditions were stable in the Midwest, with no adverse refinery conditions, and inventories were stable to slightly manageable. Lower fuel sales abroad, especially Mexico and Canada, combined with soft PET prices for downstream equipment, increased competitive advantages for U.S. naphtha suppliers to sell via FOB offers at lower mixed xylene prices.
In the second week of July, U.S. mixed xylene prices fell again, dropping 2.2%, despite of a 1.0% rise in feedstock naphtha costs, as weak export demand from Canada and Mexico continued into macroeconomic uncertainty. Downstream PET price was unchanged, and PA was up slightly but a bearish outlook continued. Competitive international offers and surplus domestic availability of mixed xylene continued to limit upward movements in FOB prices. The final week of July saw U.S. mixed xylene prices decline 1.1% and naphtha prices increased by 3.3%. Mixed xylene production remained steady through the month and inventories ample. Prolific export demand beholden especially to the PET sector, persisted to limit upside to the U.S. mixed xylene prices, while domestic overall PA consumption remained steady.
In comparison, the German market showed an almost constant bullish inclination of mixed xylene prices over the same time period. Prices in Germany fell by 6% in the first week of July, despite little change in naphtha prices as there was a sluggish pace of stockpiling and cautious purchases by local buyers. However, some bearish pressure was somewhat alleviated by better foreign demand from PET consuming areas, the price correction of mixed xylene for the first week of July was somewhat sharp to start week two. The second week saw a sharp reversal, with mixed xylene prices rising by 4.4%, supported by a 2.8% uptick in naphtha prices and renewed export orders, particularly from Belgium. Improved logistical flows also played a role, despite ongoing congestion at Hamburg terminals.
In the third week, mixed xylene prices in Germany continued an upward trend by 0.6% less than before. Stable production, even with reasonable levels of inventory, and export-driven demand that persists from PET buyers for packaging and textile, helped keep prices at this current level, seemingly based upon level feedstock costs. The PA sector was consistent with offtake, which offered consistent baseline support for the fundamentals.
Looking ahead ChemAnalyst expects that in the United States, mixed xylene prices are expected to rise in the coming weeks due to tighter supply and an imminent rebound in export demand. In Germany, mixed xylene prices are expected to ease a little, but only due to reduced demand from the PET sector and the normalization of logistics at the Hamburg Ports, which has reduced cost pressure and limited any upward pricing pressure.
