For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index fell by 1.09% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting balanced supply and weak demand.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 1298.00/MT, reflecting muted activity.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price remained range-bound amid subdued polyester offtake and inventory levels across Gulf ports.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast suggests modest volatility as seasonal restocking balances supply disruptions and weak demand.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend eased as PX and crude softened, offsetting regional outage impacts on margins.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook remains subdued with beverage and textile sectors delaying purchases amid high inventories.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index signals stability despite DAK Cape Fear shutdown, supported by muted feedstock cost relief.
• Export demand weakness and tariffs constrained arbitrage, with rail logistics improvements limiting any near-term PTA export surge.
Why did the price of Terephthalic Acid change in December 2025 in North America?
• Supply disruptions from the Cape Fear permanent shutdown tightened regional availability, counterbalanced by resumed plant operations elsewhere.
• PX and crude oil softened, reducing production costs and limiting upward price pressure on domestic PTA manufacturing margins.
• Improved railcar availability and calmer port conditions reduced logistical premiums, while weak downstream demand constrained purchasing activity.
APAC
• In Japan, the Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index rose by 1.64% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting modest supply tightness.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 764.00/MT, reflecting steady contractual flows.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price remained range-bound, while the Price Index signalled limited volatility amid balanced regional inventories.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast anticipates modest oscillation near current levels driven by seasonal restocking and feedstock shifts.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend eased on softer PX and crude recently, tempering upside despite tighter supplies.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook remains muted for textiles but supported by packaging and electronics feedstock needs.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index movements were influenced by port congestion, inventory accumulation and steady offshore export shipments.
• Plant turnarounds and staggered restarts created intermittent tightness, prompting cautious buying and elevated short-term Seller confidence.
Why did the price of Purified Terephthalic Acid change in December 2025 in APAC?
• The current bullish sentiment is driven by MEG prices rose in Japan as buying interest picked up following ongoing production cuts and announcements of planned output reductions at certain plants.
• Feedstock PX and crude oil tightness increased manufacturing costs, allowing seller pricing power during the month.
• Port bottlenecks, Typhoon disruptions and logistical delays intermittently tightened availability, supporting short-lived price upticks locally.
Europe
• In Germany, Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index fell by 4.09% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak downstream offtake.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 797.00/MT, reported regionally.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price remained range-bound amid balanced supply, stable operating rates, muted buying.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast indicates volatility as port congestion and feedstock swings influence direction.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend firmed on firmer PX and oil, narrowing producer margins.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook stays subdued with PET converters destocking and selective, hand-to-mouth procurement.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index reflected regional neutrality through December as inflows matched seasonal demand.
• Inventories remained adequate, exports steady; major producers operated near normal rates, keeping offers competitively priced.
Why did the price of Purified Terephthalic Acid change in December 2025 in Europe?
• In December, balanced imports and steady domestic production offset weak downstream demand, keeping markets neutral.
• Firmer PX and freight congestion lifted cost pressures, but did not force spot price increases.
• Downstream destocking and hand-to-mouth buying curbed absorption, while port inflows ensured adequate availability across Europe.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index rose by 1.5% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stability.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 1312.33/MT, FOB Charleston.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price remained range-bound as downstream polyester restocking stayed minimal amid inventories.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast shows limited upside as packaging demand competes with destocking pressures.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend mixed as paraxylene tightness raised costs while crude eased.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook weak due to off-season polyester cuts and subdued textile orders.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index upside was capped by ample inventories and subdued export interest.
• Port congestion and episodic force majeure at major producers intermittently supported tightness, limiting price declines.
Why did the price of Purified Terephthalic Acid change September 2025 in North America?
• Balanced supply and subdued downstream demand restrained momentum, despite occasional logistical disruptions and limited restarts.
• Feedstock dynamics mixed as paraxylene tightness increased costs while crude oil eased input price pressure.
• Port congestion, vessel delays and force majeure events constrained flows, supporting firmness amid range-bound trading.
APAC
• In Japan, the Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index fell by 1.78% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak demand.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was USD 551.00/MT, signalling muted activity.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price range-bound as restarts increased supply and feedstock volatility pressured margins.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast shows mild oscillations driven by seasonal demand and maintenance schedules.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend showed upward pressure from crude and paraxylene, partially offset.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook remains weak amid polyester off-season and elevated converter inventory levels.
• Inventory destocking and cautious buying kept Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index neutral despite paraxylene shifts.
• Export flows stable; container constraints and yen weakness raised landed costs, constraining PTA sellers' positions.
Why did the price of Purified Terephthalic Acid change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Weak downstream polyester demand and inventory destocking reduced buying, pressuring Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index.
• Lower crude and paraxylene margins softened producers' margins, affecting Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend.
• Logistics frictions and yen depreciation raised landed costs and intermittent buying, offsetting domestic supply improvements.
Europe
• In Germany, the Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Index rose by 7.18% quarter-over-quarter, supported by feedstock cost increases and firmer demand.
• The average Purified Terephthalic Acid price for the quarter was approximately USD 831.00/MT, reflecting inventory balance and subdued downstream demand.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price movements were muted in Q3 as converters maintained several weeks of inventory, limiting buying, however, quarter to quarter comparison was higher.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Production Cost Trend reflected higher crude and narrowing PX spreads, pressuring producer margins.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Demand Outlook remained mixed with seasonal PET weakness offset by restocking after summer holidays.
Purified Terephthalic Acid Price Forecast anticipates range-bound trading around Price Index levels driven by inventories and logistics.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Index spikes tied to persistent port congestion, disrupting inland deliveries and availability.
• Purified Terephthalic Acid Spot Price volatility was tempered by stable operations at major producers, keeping market responses measured.
Why did the price of Terephthalic Acid change in September 2025 in Europe?
• End of summer restocking increased buying while downstream PET demand recovery raised short-term PTA consumption.
• Higher crude oil and tightening PX spreads elevated manufacturing costs, supporting upward pressure on producer offers.
• Persistent port congestion and Rhine low water levels delayed deliveries, constraining supply and elevating local landed costs.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• PTA Price Index in APAC declined by 2.8% quarter-on-quarter amid weak demand and inventory overhang, but prices recovered in June. PTA Ex-Qingdao settled at USD 616/MT by end-June 2025.
• Prices remained volatile through Q2 2025. After dipping in April, prices surged 6.7% in late June, driven by a sharp 7% rise in upstream crude oil and tight spot availability despite weak downstream polyester demand.
• Why did the price of PTA change in July 2025 in China?
Prices remained range-bound in early July as supply expanded with new production units restarting, while soft textile and polyester demand limited bullish momentum. Crude oil cost support kept prices from falling further.
• The PTA Production Cost Trend was shaped by rising crude oil prices and improving plant utilization. Restart of major units like Zhongjin and Zhejiang Petrochemical and new capacity from Honggang pushed operating rates to ~83%, easing earlier supply tightness.
• PTA Demand Outlook was soft in Q2. Downstream polyester and textile sectors saw declining operating loads, cautious procurement, and high inventories. A brief demand uptick in May from soft drink bottlers and export orders faded by June amid the Dragon Boat Festival lull.
• Export momentum of PTA was sluggish due to elevated shipping costs and volatile freight rates, prompting foreign buyers to adopt a wait-and-see approach.
• Domestic procurement in China was cautious and inventory-driven, with converters purchasing only essential volumes due to the uncertain macroeconomic outlook and seasonal textile slowdown.
North America
• PTA Price Index in North America increased marginally by 0.8% quarter-on-quarter. However, Prices held steady throughout Q2 2025, with PTA FOB Charleston settling at USD 1289/MT by the end of June. Despite fluctuations in crude oil, overall market sentiment kept pricing neutral.
• Prices remained stable during Q2 amid a muted downstream response. The expected surge in PTA demand during the US beverage season failed to materialize, while downstream polyester run rates hovered near 90% but with limited procurement. A 12-week sideways trend persisted, supported by sufficient supply.
• Why did the price of PTA change in July 2025 in the USA?
In early July, PTA prices remained range-bound due to weak demand and ample inventory. While Force Majeure events at DAK Americas and Eastman Chemical caused short-term supply disruption, the lack of downstream momentum and balanced feedstock flows prevented any significant price movement.
• The PTA Production Cost Trend was influenced by falling crude oil prices, ample stored inventories, and stable operations despite port congestion. No major shutdowns occurred, though storms caused temporary logistics delays.
• PTA Demand Outlook remained weak. Domestic converters showed limited buying interest amid macroeconomic uncertainty, high freight rates, and sluggish polyester and packaging sector performance.
• The export momentum of PTA was minimal due to uncompetitive prices and tariff uncertainty.
• Domestic procurement in the USA was conservative, driven by economic caution, inventory reliance, and seasonal off-peak demand.
Europe
• PTA Price Index in Europe decreased by 3.2% over Q2 2025 as compared with Q1. Prices remained stable in late June at USD 785/MT, FD Hamburg.
• Prices remained stable in June amid steady feedstock availability and subdued downstream demand. Converters held sufficient PTA stock (3–4 weeks), dampening fresh procurement.
• Why did the price of PTA change in July 2025 in Europe?
PTA prices held flat despite port congestion and delayed deliveries across Northern Europe. The absence of refinery shutdowns and muted downstream orders from the PET, textiles, and automotive sectors offset supply-side constraints.
• The PTA Production Cost Trend was influenced by fluctuating upstream crude oil prices and increased freight rates during May, which surged the price trend. Despite logistical bottlenecks and rising costs, domestic PTA availability remained high due to ample inventories, which kept the overall quarter decline.
• PTA Demand Outlook was bearish. Weak polyester and packaging demand, paired with cautious post-Eid trading behavior and volatile freight rates, kept buyers on the sidelines.
• The export momentum of PTA declined amid high shipping costs and minimal overseas demand.
• Domestic procurement in Europe remained cautious, shaped by economic uncertainty, inflation, and a preference for virgin PET over recycled alternatives.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American PTA prices showcased volatility shaped by shifting demand patterns and external challenges. January began with a rise in restocking activity, driven by optimism and new orders from downstream sectors. However, demand quickly softened once inventories were replenished, especially from the polyester sector. Despite this, PTA prices in the USA held steady during January due to port congestion caused by extreme winter.
By early February, PTA prices began to rise as supply constraints worsened. Several PTA plants in the U.S. declared force majeure due to flooding and severe weather, tightening availability even further. Manufacturing costs stayed high amid rising feedstock costs, particularly for propylene and paraxylene, which added to the strain on PTA margins.
Demand for PTA from the polyester sector remained subdued throughout the quarter amid cold weather in the U.S. slowed weaving operations. Inventories at converter facilities were high, and purchases were mostly limited to immediate production needs. Similarly, the packaging sector faced muted demand due to seasonal slowdowns and tariff uncertainties, with minimal spot market activity.
APAC
The first quarter of 2025 saw PTA prices in the APAC region, characterized by decreasing prices, followed by an uptrend. January began with a rebound in PTA prices in Thailand, driven by tight supply from China and a surge in restocking ahead of the Lunar New Year. Traders were active despite weaker performance in the polyester and packaging industries. The market remained supported by increased manufacturing costs due to rising feedstock prices and limited availability caused by vessel delays and freight disruptions. Quarterly, PTA prices in the USA have increased by 2.2% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. In March, the PTA prices in Thailand saw continued softness. Demand from downstream sectors such as polyester and packaging remained weak throughout March. Polyester processors operated at reduced rates, dealing with sluggish orders and high inventories. The packaging industry also showed little improvement, as trade uncertainties and seasonal sluggishness limited buyer interest. Meanwhile, a significant drop in upstream crude oil prices and reduced freight costs made imports cheaper, leading to more competitive market conditions.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European PTA prices witnessed an increasing trend of 1.1% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. In January, despite the soft demand, PTA prices in Germany remained relatively firm, mainly supported by reduced production and limited supply. Several PTA plants in Europe, including Germany, experienced shutdowns due to high production costs and harsh winter weather, tightening the supply. Additionally, delays caused by port congestion and disrupted trade routes, particularly around the Cape of Good Hope, contributed to this supply squeeze. These logistical challenges, combined with increased freight charges, reduced spot market activity and pushed prices up. In February, feedstock costs such as propylene and paraxylene rose sharply, leading to higher manufacturing expenses for PTA producers. Although polyester operating rates remained low and demand did not pick up significantly, the ongoing shortage in raw material availability kept the market tight. Meanwhile, interest in recycled PET (r-PET) showed signs of growth, driven by new EU regulations encouraging the use of recycled content in packaging. This shift brought a slight uplift in PTA demand linked to recycled production chains.
