Isophthalic acid in the US shifted sharply higher in mid March as tighter merchant inventories, rising upstream aromatics and maleic anhydride costs, and stronger PET resin seasonal buying pushed the market out of February’s range bound pattern. February’s softer assessment gave way to firmer values once prompt availability thinned and replacement cost expectations rose, while coatings demand softened due to continued migration toward water borne systems. Construction composites and specialty polymers held moderate consumption, but the PET chain remained the key pillar of support, helping lift CFR indications. Geopolitical tensions elevated freight and war risk premiums, raising crude linked PX/OX costs and reinforcing firmer isophthalic acid offers even as South Korean and Taiwanese exporters operated normally. Near term expectations point to additional upside through March and April before seasonal cooling later in summer, with crude, natural gas, and aromatics inflation, tight inventories, and cautious restocking likely to keep isophthalic acid supported.
