In early September 2025, U.S. phenol prices dropped sharply, influenced by a combination of oversupply and sluggish feedstock demand from downstream sectors such as Bisphenol A and phenolic resins. Producers were running at elevated production rates due to their aggressive production capabilities and the reduced consumption of phenol, while declining benzene costs led to weakened production margins. Limited exports with uncertain buyer demand contributed to bearish conditions in the market, pointing toward continued downward pressure on phenol pricing in the near term.
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.
