For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Throughout Q2 2025 the O-Xylene Price Index in the U.S. experienced fluctuations before finishing at USD 900/MT FOB Texas; prices increased about 7.1% last week, rebounding from recent price stability a May drop.
• Price instabilities were mostly attributable to international export demand from Mexico and Chile, in addition to solid domestic offtake demand from traditional phthalic anhydride (PA) and construction plasticizer demand. It also noted that production costs were affected by a nearly 6.3% increase in naphtha feedstock costs, mostly due to stronger crude oil prices.
• Why did the price of O-Xylene change in July 2025? As of early July, market sentiment turned cautious due to easing feedstock prices and expectations of steady downstream demand. While prices surged in late June, they are likely to stabilize or face mild correction in July due to improved availability and muted new export inquiries.
• Domestic logistics and terminal operations remained smooth throughout the quarter. There were no reported delays or disruptions affecting freight or port activity.
• o-Xylene Demand Outlook for Q3 2025 remains cautiously optimistic. Steady demand from plasticizer and resin-based applications in construction and automotive sectors is expected, although macroeconomic caution may limit aggressive forward buying.
• o-Xylene Production Cost Trend reflected upstream volatility. Naphtha values fluctuated due to crude movements, causing intermittent cost pressure, particularly in late June. Margins remained tight, especially for export-reliant producers.
• o-Xylene prices are forecasted to stabilize or correct mildly as export momentum softens and feedstock costs retreat. However, any surge in Latin American orders or crude price shocks could trigger renewed upward movement
APAC
• The O-Xylene Price Index in South Korea showed mixed trends during Q2 2025, with FOB Busan prices fluctuating between USD 890/MT, marking a 4% decline compared to Q1. Prices slipped in May before rebounding in late June.
• Market dynamics were shaped by fluctuating feedstock naphtha costs, shifts in Chinese and Southeast Asian demand, and strong export-driven buying from Europe and other Asian nations. Despite a 5.9% drop in naphtha prices during the last week of June, foreign demand propelled prices up.
• Why did the price of O-Xylene change in July 2025? In early July, prices are likely to trend stable or moderately upward, bolstered by rising inquiries from China and India. However, persistent feedstock volatility and mixed downstream signals could cap significant gains.
• Oversupply risks remained minimal, as production in South Korea was steady and export-focused refiners aligned output with demand. However, competitive pricing from neighbouring suppliers and buyer hesitancy exerted intermittent pressure on the O-Xylene Spot Price.
• o-Xylene Production Cost Trend was broadly stable, aided by marginal feedstock declines. However, narrowing export margins in May prompted some refiners to adjust operating rates cautiously.
• o-Xylene Demand Outlook for Q3 2025 appears mixed. Packaging and PVC sectors in India and Southeast Asia may lift demand slightly, but uncertain trade sentiment and downstream inventory overhangs could limit strong recovery.
• O-Xylene prices are forecasted to remain tight if foreign orders persist, though the outlook is clouded by macro uncertainty and regional competition.
Europe
• The O-Xylene Price Index in Germany remained largely unchanged throughout Q2 2025, holding steady at USD 1150/MT CFR Hamburg despite brief fluctuations in import costs and downstream demand dynamics.
• Stable feedstock naphtha prices and balanced supply-demand fundamentals underpinned the market. Routine offtake from phthalic anhydride and plasticizer sectors, especially in the construction industry, kept the market in equilibrium.
• Why did the price of O-Xylene change in July 2025? By early July, no major price movement was recorded, as the market continued in a consolidation phase. Ample inventory and cautious domestic consumption patterns, particularly in construction-related applications, prevented any meaningful price escalation.
• Germany’s heavy reliance on imports from South Korea ensured uninterrupted supply, as refinery operations in Asia stayed stable. No significant regulatory or trade changes were reported during the period.
• Inventory levels were adequate throughout Q2. Slight gains in resin bottle demand during warmer weeks were offset by weak demand from phthalic anhydride and related downstream sectors.
• On the O-Xylene Production Cost Trend, costs remained stable, driven by flat naphtha prices and consistent import pricing from Asia. Producers faced minimal margin erosion.
• The O-Xylene Demand Outlook for Q3 2025 in Europe is expected to stay neutral to mildly bearish, unless construction activity improves. Pre-summer plasticizer stocking is mostly complete, suggesting stable but limited spot inquiries.
• No sharp movement expected in the near term; sentiment suggests sideways trading with minor downside risks amid unchanged fundamentals.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
During Q1 2025, the ortho-xylene market in the USA experienced fluctuating price movements shaped by dynamic upstream and downstream factors. The quarter began with a moderate rise in prices, supported by increased costs of crude oil and naphtha, which pushed up production expenses. However, despite the cost pressure, demand remained stable, particularly from the Phthalic Anhydride and PET sectors, which helped maintain market balance.
As the quarter progressed, prices witnessed a noticeable decline of nearly 10% due to weakening market sentiment, elevated inventory levels, and sufficient supply across the region. These factors outweighed the impact of fluctuating feedstock prices, contributing to a bearish tone in the market.
Towards the end of the quarter, prices partially rebounded by approximately 3.7%, driven by a tightening supply situation and firmer upstream costs. Throughout Q1, the market maintained operational stability with consistent manufacturing output and uninterrupted supply chains. Overall, the ortho-xylene market reflected a mixed trend with both upward and downward pressures influencing pricing dynamics.
APAC
During Q1 2025, the ortho-xylene market in the APAC region, particularly in South Korea, displayed a mixed trend, with both stability and price fluctuations influenced by changing feedstock costs and evolving supply-demand dynamics. In the early part of the quarter, prices remained largely stable, supported by consistent demand from the Phthalic Anhydride sector and balanced supply levels, despite rising crude oil and naphtha prices.
As the quarter progressed, prices in South Korea experienced upward momentum due to regional supply tightness and production constraints. Cumulative increases of 1.8%, 9.6%, and 3.8% were observed, even as feedstock costs declined. Strong downstream demand helped maintain this bullish trend across the APAC market.
In the latter part of the quarter, the market witnessed a correction with price drops of 3.1% and 3.2%, driven by reduced demand from the PET sector and sufficient supply. Feedstock prices remained soft, contributing to the easing of price levels. Overall, the APAC ortho-xylene market ended Q1 with a balanced and stable outlook.
Europe
In Q1 2025, o-xylene prices in Germany saw moderate increases due to fluctuations in feedstock costs and balanced supply-demand dynamics. Early in the quarter, prices remained stable despite slight upticks in feedstock naphtha prices, driven by higher crude oil costs. Demand from industries like Phthalic Anhydride provided support, preventing significant price fluctuations.
Throughout January, o-xylene prices experienced gradual increases. By the end of the month, prices had risen by 4.0%, driven by tighter supply and higher production costs. This trend continued into February, with prices increasing by 1.3% in multiple weeks, supported by steady demand and rising feedstock costs.
By March, prices stabilized and maintained the upward momentum seen earlier. Overall, the quarter ended with a steady and upward price trend in the o-xylene market, supported by consistent downstream demand and manageable manufacturing dynamics, despite some fluctuations in feedstock prices. The market remained stable, with no major disruptions impacting overall price stability.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In North America, the o-xylene market during October 2024 remained stable, driven by moderate supply and steady demand. While procurement rates showed slight improvements from key downstream industries such as leather and adhesives, the overall market sentiment stayed cautious due to external factors like inflation and geopolitical tensions.
There were signs of improvement in market activity, but production levels fell short of expectations, as challenges in the manufacturing sector persisted. This was further compounded by fluctuations in crude oil prices and other raw materials, creating a subdued environment for o-xylene.
The supply chain faced difficulties, particularly due to a decline in chemical imports, which weakened the overall supply situation. Despite these challenges, demand for o-xylene remained stable, with moderate procurement from downstream sectors. However, slow growth in the U.S. industrial sector and a lack of dynamism in overseas markets, particularly Asia, kept the market from experiencing significant growth. This cautious atmosphere led to a preference for conservative trading strategies, with many avoiding bulk orders.
APAC
In the APAC region, o-xylene prices remained under pressure during the final quarter of 2024, reflecting continued weakness in demand and supply chain dynamics. During October, prices declined by approximately 0.6%, driven by a combination of subdued demand from downstream industries and rising feedstock costs, particularly naphtha. Despite some support from European markets, the general market sentiment remained cautious, as traders in the APAC region navigated through excess inventory and weak procurement rates from sectors like PET and phthalic anhydride.
The supply situation remained stable, with production volumes sufficient to meet the lower-than-expected demand. Key refineries maintained steady output, and the supply of o-xylene remained available, although high inventory levels, especially in regions like Shandong, compounded price pressures.
Demand in key downstream sectors such as plastics manufacturing and chemicals remained weak, leading to subdued buying activity. This cautious approach from end-users kept prices stable initially, but by November, the market showed a further decline of around 2.3%, reflecting the ongoing lack of demand and market uncertainty. This trend continued into December, as limited buying interest and weak industrial activity suppressed any potential recovery.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the o-xylene market in Europe experienced a consistent downtrend, driven by weak demand and oversupply. The quarter began with prices falling due to reduced production costs, as feedstock naphtha prices declined. Key downstream sectors like PET and phthalic anhydride continued to show sluggish performance, leading to lower procurement rates and stagnant prices. Weak demand from industries such as automotive and construction, compounded by geopolitical uncertainties, kept market sentiment subdued.
In October and November, o-xylene prices continued to drop, fueled by high inventory levels, especially in Germany. These excess stocks, combined with limited growth in industrial production, led to further price pressure. Export demand remained weak, with key markets in the U.S. and Asia failing to provide support for recovery.
By December, despite fluctuations in crude oil prices, the market remained under pressure due to the lack of a significant rebound in demand. Weak export demand and the impact of energy costs added to the bearish market conditions. Overall, Q4 2024 closed with declining o-xylene prices, as both domestic and export demand remained limited, and global market challenges persisted.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American o-xylene market experienced a bearish trend, driven by muted demand and declining prices. Throughout August and September, o-xylene prices remained stable to lower, primarily due to weak consumption from the downstream phthalic anhydride industry, particularly within the construction sector. Economic headwinds, including rising mortgage rates and sluggish construction spending, exacerbated the already soft demand, leading to average market conditions. This downward pressure was compounded by falling feedstock naphtha prices, which further reduced production costs for o-xylene.
Supply levels were characterized as moderate, with domestic production operating at low rates amid deteriorating manufacturing conditions. Despite these challenges, the availability of o-xylene was sufficient to meet existing demand. However, potential supply disruptions loomed due to labor negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association and port operators, with strike threats potentially impacting supply chains. The last recording price of September 2024 was assessed for FOB Louisiana 985/MT.
Overall, while there were indications of stabilizing factors, including a decrease in inflation rates, these did not translate into increased demand for o-xylene. The market sentiment remained cautious, reflecting the complexities of a landscape shaped by external economic challenges and sluggish growth within key end-user sectors.
APAC
From July to September 2024, o-xylene prices in APAC remained generally stable to lower, as market dynamics were influenced by soft buyer interest, abundant supply, and limited feedstock cost support due to declines in naphtha prices. Crude oil showed volatility due to geopolitical tensions, further affecting market sentiment. Meanwhile, demand from the downstream phthalic anhydride industry was sluggish, hindered by slower-than-expected construction activity amid China's property sector downturn. Throughout Q3, China’s economy faced challenges, including a weaker GDP growth rate and a three-month decline in manufacturing activity, despite government efforts to stimulate growth with policy rate cuts. Sufficient o-xylene supply was met with declining downstream demand, while production rates were lowered to align with demand levels. Import delays due to port congestion, typhoons, and supply chain disruptions added some pressure, yet inventory levels remained adequate. The last recording price of September 2024 was assessed for CFR Qingdao USD 885/MT. The real estate sector’s downturn continued to weigh on demand for o-xylene’s downstream applications, with new-home sales among top developers decreasing sharply year-over-year. This combination of high material availability and weak demand kept O-xylene prices low, and market sentiment is expected to remain subdued in the near term.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the European o-xylene market has been experiencing significant challenges in 2024, marked by stable to declining prices driven by muted demand. The German market has been particularly affected, with prices under pressure due to weakened consumption from downstream sectors, especially in phthalic anhydride and PET industries. Despite a decrease in feedstock naphtha prices, which has lowered production costs, the overall market sentiment remains bearish as traders navigate a landscape characterized by sluggish activity and cautious purchasing behavior. Supply dynamics have also played a role, with adequate availability of o-xylene resulting from prior inventory restocking. However, production rates have been curtailed in response to the lack of downstream momentum. Import challenges from Asia, exacerbated by high freight costs and port congestion, have further constrained the supply chain, creating a delicate balance between available material and muted demand. The last recording price of September 2024 was assessed for CFR Hamburg USD 1220/MT. The broader economic context in Europe, particularly Germany, has contributed to these market challenges. With the economy contracting unexpectedly and inflation rising, consumer and business sentiments have weakened. As key industries continue to face downturns, the outlook for the o-xylene market remains uncertain, with expectations of further price declines as demand stays low amid a struggling economy.
FAQs
1) What is the current price of O-Xylene in major regions?
As of the end of June 2025, the O-Xylene Spot Price stood at USD 900/MT FOB Texas (USA), USD 890/MT FOB Busan (South Korea), and USD 1150/MT CFR Hamburg (Germany).
2) Who is the top O-Xylene producers in the United States?
Leading O-Xylene producers in the U.S. include ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips Chemical, LyondellBasell, and Huntsman Corporation, operating integrated facilities with downstream capabilities.
3) What are the main factors influencing the O-Xylene Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
Key factors include export demand fluctuations, naphtha and crude oil pricing, regional plasticizer and phthalic anhydride sector performance, and overall macroeconomic sentiment in construction and packaging.
4) How does the O-Xylene Production Cost Trend impact pricing?
Production costs, driven primarily by naphtha prices, directly affect producer margins. In Q2 2025, despite some relief in feedstock prices, cost fluctuations narrowed profit margins, especially for exporters, influencing pricing decisions.
