Asia
During the second half of 2023, dimethyl terephthalate prices in China experienced a slight decline, gradually in the third quarter but steeply in the fourth quarter of 2023. However, the stability in the market during the third quarter was supported by the consistent demand from the PET plastic industry.
But the other market fundamentals such as cost support from the feedstock industries and sluggish development of the Asian industrial sector, particularly in the fourth quarter, exerted a negative influence on the pricing patterns of dimethyl terephthalate.
Europe
Throughout the latter half of 2023, the European dimethyl terephthalate market correlated closely with the pricing movements of terephthalic acid, a feedstock for dimethyl terephthalate production. The decline in terephthalic acid and crude oil prices during Q3 and Q4 contributed to the downfall of dimethyl terephthalate prices. Further, factors such as negative consumer sentiment and inflation pressure, along with disruptions in the Red Sea route due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas crisis, had a significant impact on exports, further leading to inventory rises and supporting the downward spiral of dimethyl terephthalate price trend.
North America
In the US domestic market, dimethyl terephthalate price trends followed the same trajectory as paved by the slowdown seen in Europe. The sharp decline in domestic crude oil prices and disruptions in overseas orders due to drought-like conditions in the Panama Canal during late 2023 significantly contributed to the downward trend in the dimethyl terephthalate market. The persistent downgrading of economic parameters and strict lending policies adopted by the banks also limited the growth rate of the dimethyl terephthalate price trend.