News and Articles

• Benzene prices rose recently in mid-April as crude and naphtha supply tightened due to Iran-linked port disruptions.
• Chinese refineries lifted offers after lower domestic output and reduced Middle East imports tightened spot availability.
• Styrene and cumene buyers supported the market through active near-term procurement.
• Prices fell recently in late April as styrene and ABS producers shifted to need-based buying.
• Weak polystyrene demand pulled Asian styrene values lower and removed support from benzene prices.

Benzene prices rose recently in mid-April before falling back in late April, as feedstock pressure first lifted the market and weaker downstream demand later pulled prices down.

Prices increased in mid-April after crude and naphtha supply tightened due to port-level disruptions linked to Iran. The reduced flow of key feedstocks raised production costs and gave benzene sellers support to lift offers.

Chinese refineries also raised quotations as domestic benzene output declined and petroleum-based imports from the Middle East fell. Lower spot availability in China strengthened the market and kept buyers active during the period.

Downstream demand provided additional support in mid-April. Styrene and cumene buyers purchased actively to cover near-term requirements, absorbing available spot volumes and helping benzene prices hold firm.

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The market weakened recently in late April as downstream demand softened. Styrene and ABS producers reduced buying and moved to need-based procurement, limiting support for benzene despite earlier strength in feedstock costs.

Renewed strait controls by Iran failed to lift the market because derivative demand remained weak. Buyers were reluctant to build inventories, and spot activity slowed as downstream margins came under pressure.

Asian styrene monomer values also declined alongside benzene due to weak polystyrene offtake. With styrene losing support, benzene prices gave up their mid-April gains and returned close to earlier levels by late April.

The recent April movement showed that benzene prices were driven first by feedstock and supply pressure, then by weaker derivative demand. Tight crude and naphtha supply helped lift prices in mid-April, but slower buying from styrene, ABS and polystyrene markets pushed prices lower in late April.