PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid) Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of PTA in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

For the Second Quarter of 2022

Asia

In Chinese markets, PTA prices witnessed a downward trend in H1 of Q2 2022, which gained momentum in the second half of the quarter. Crude oil market remained volatile which in turn affected the prices in the petrochemical markets where the Ex-Qingdao price for PTA hovered at around 1003 USD/MT during June.

As Covid-19 cases resurfaced in China, the operating rate in PTA plants dipped as demand for PET bottles dropped from downstream industries. Meanwhile in India, the market flourished throughout the second quarter, supported by the steady demand for PET bottles from the downstream packaging segments. Since crude oil prices were firm, the market for paraxylene was strong in the regional market.

Additionally, supply constraints were created in the global market as India imported heavily from China and South Korea leading to a surge in price backed by supply chain disruption and climbing transportation costs. The Ex-Silvassa PTA price in India ultimately rose and hovered around 1250 USD/MT in June 2022.

Europe

In the European markets, PTA prices surged during the first half of Q2, which later dropped in the later half by almost 3%. As summer season approached in Europe, demand boosted from end-use industries of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle and polyester.

The market was further hit by the crunched supply situation in Europe due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflicts which kept the prices high. Additionally, global crisis abetted the skyrocketing prices in the crude oil market which ultimately affected the prices of all derivatives of petrochemical products. All these factors contributed to the price situation for PTA which fluctuated during Q2 2022 and settled at FD Hamburg 1012 USD per ton in June.

North America

In North American markets, Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) prices witnessed an uptrend for the months of April and June, but they later dropped in May supported by the unstable crude oil prices, which remained volatile throughout Q2 2022.

Additionally the prices of upstream raw material like Paraxylene soared high, creating a cost pressure which ultimately contributed to the rising price trend in the first and second half of the second quarter of 2022. In the domestic market, the demand for the chemical remained stable during this period but later caught its pace during June as when demand from downstream industries like packaging sectors surged. The PTA FOB Charleston prices settled at 1033 USD/MT in June.

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

The prices of PTA have been increasing since the start of this quarter as a result of increased downstream demand and rising pricing pressure from xylene industries. Throughout the first quarter of 2022, demand for downstream polyester and polyethylene terephthalate remained high.

PTA per ton price was recorded at 1084.91 USD (INR 82290) Ex-Kandla at the end of Q1. The Chinese domestic market for Purified Terephthalic Acid has seen an upward trend due to high demand from the downstream PET and textile sectors, as well as rising feedstock prices.

North America

Purified Terephthalic Acid pricing in North America exhibited a seesaw pattern, with prices falling in January, rising in February, and falling again in March. Feedstock prices changed in tandem with the unpredictable crude oil price. The increase in industrial activity led to an increase in demand from consumers and other businesses in PET and polyester markets.

Furthermore, the big producers' revenue and sales have increased in tandem with the increase in consumer consumption. As a result of the rising supply dynamics and solid demand fundamentals, market participants were compelled to lower the prices of available material in the latter stages of Q1. Per ton price of PTA settled at 986 USD towards the end of this quarter.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

In October, the Indian market was beset by logistical challenges, posing a significant challenge for dealers and maintaining rising pressure on local PTA pricing. Aside from transportation issues, other factors such as disruptions in production activity in the Chinese market also contributed to the significant spike in PTA prices across the APAC region.

As a result, the price increased dramatically in October, reaching 75,640 INR/MT CFR JNPT. Despite the fact that demand for PTA decreased in the downstream polymer sector in H2 of Q4, demand in other sectors, such as textiles, remained stable across regional markets. PTA prices in India, on the other hand, fell in December due to reduced offtakes from downstream polyester sections.

Europe

Throughout the final quarter, the production was unimpressive, limiting the operating prices of PET resin. PET demand remained high, with market participants remarking that the market had seen some astronomical end-user consumption levels.

The demand for PET resin was pushed up by the increased use of PET bottles in beverages and other uses across the continent. Imports were impeded by high freight costs and long turnaround times. As a result, PTA prices in Europe continued to grow in Q4 and were recorded at 890 USD/MT on a FOB basis in December.

North America

PTA imports from South America remained weak in the fourth quarter. Mexico battled with local manufacturing, which limited exports to the United States, while Asia's exports were hampered by prohibitively high freight and shipping costs.

Likewise, downstream PET resins continued to have robust volume intakes as the packaging industry's demand remained strong. Due to strong demand and uneven supply dynamics, PTA prices were estimated in broad ranges. In December, the FD price jumped to 1170 USD/MT.

Latin America

In October 2021, crude oil exported from Brazil attained an average price 0.5 USD/kg, the highest figure reported in seven years. International oil prices had collapsed in the first months of 2021, due to dramatic reductions in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increased price led to an increase in the price of the chemical, to which petroleum is an important feedstock.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

The Asia Pacific region's supply chain was bolstered by the inclusion of new PTA plants in China during Q1 2021. Capacity of 7.9 MMT per year started up at the Fujian Baihong facility in Quanzhou, Shenghong petrochemicals in Lianyungang, and Yisheng petrochemicals in Ningbo.

However, the region experienced considerable difficulties as a result  of multiple plant turnarounds over the Chinese lunar new year celebrations. Demand was rated solid in the first quarter, as exports to Western Europe and imports from Southeast Asia increased. FOB Shanghai prices increased steadily throughout the quarter, averaging 908 USD/MT for April delivery.

The Asia Pacific region's supply outlook exhibited a mixed pattern in the second quarter of 2021, owing to a wide range of developmental turnarounds in China and Northeast Asia, which tightened overall product supply following a period of expansion in the first half of the quarter.

Yinsheng Petrochemical, a renowned PTA maker in China, commissioned two new PTA facilities in May. Additionally, Yinsheng Petrochemicals announced the permanent shutdown of its oldest 650 KTPA line in Zhejiang province due to higher production margins on its new PTA lines. Taking into account the sequence of capacity additions, China is expected to increase its PTA capacity by an additional 3.3 MMT in H2 2021.

Against the backdrop of already stretched supplies, market participants were keenly monitoring changes in Indian consumer demands as the second wave of pandemic impacted the largest Asian PTA importer's demand. China's pricing trend remained stable, with FOB Qingdao prices averaging 859 USD/MT in June.

In Asia, PTA prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2021, owing to strong offtakes from local downstream manufacturers and an increase in upstream pricing. In India, the outlook for the market was bright, owing to robust demand from the PBT and PET industries, despite constrained supply conditions.

Additionally, delayed supply followed by congestion at various Chinese ports, as well as expensive imports from other nations due to excessive freight charges and a lack of shipping containers, all contributed to the region's PTA price inflation. Thus, during July and September, PTA prices increased to 467.38 USD/MT from 360.44 USD/MT.

Europe

Supplies in Europe were scarce in Q1 2021, owing to hindered transportation in the northwest European region, which resulted in a shortage of critical feedstocks. The production declined significantly at the PKN Orlen facility in Poland, followed by an unforeseen outage at the INEOS PTA complex in Belgium.

Additionally, shipments to the region decreased during the third quarter due to the Suez Canal blockade and high transportation costs. However, as a result of the disturbance in the supply chain, demand from the downstream PET industry increased significantly in Q1 2021.

The European market's supply situation improved over the last quarter, as an upstream paraxylene unit completed its turnaround phase in the second quarter. However, due to its limited stock availability in the US market, export quantities to Europe decreased. Several South Korean PTA exporters were heard moving significant amounts to the European markets in order to leverage these nations' Free Trade Agreements.

Freight charges in the Atlantic region decreased, resulting in a strengthening of the arbitration window between Europe and North America. The resumption of market activity aided public movement in numerous regions of Europe, which resulted in an increase in the chemical’s demand from the textile industry.

The PTA market in Europe remained stable in the third quarter of 2021. PTA prices tracked the values of feedstocks, which were elevated throughout the quarter. Numerous reasons contributed to this, including postponed imports due to supply chain disruptions and lower production during this period, followed by Europe's natural gas crisis. Additionally, rising freight costs weighed on PTA values in this quarter.

North America

The North American market remained constrained in the first quarter of 2021, owing to production difficulties caused by the unusual arctic freeze in the US Gulf area. Due to plant shutdowns, the dramatic weather conditions resulted in the shortage of critical feedstock for several weeks.

Demand from the downstream PET market increased significantly, owing to intense competition among buyers to refill their stockpiles in anticipation of anticipated demand growth in the coming years. PTA prices increased in response to the rise in the cost of upstream benzene and paraxylene.

PTA shipments in the North American region improved significantly over the first quarter, owing to the restoration of industrial infrastructure along the US Gulf coast and the operation of large manufacturing facilities at peak efficiency. Despite this, regional supplies remained scarce in the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the disrupted imports.

Mexican PTA trade contracted in the second quarter as inventories were bolstered ahead of the forthcoming storm season in North America. Demand was bolstered by downstream polyester businesses, which saw a seasonal surge in offtakes due to the increase in textile manufacture. As a result, the price increased, with FOB Texas negotiations settling at 1250 USD/MT, a 17.92% increase in the month of June alone.

During the third quarter of 2021, the chemical’s values remained stable in the North American region. Factors such as a shortage of raw materials and high demand from the manufacturing industry following  the economic recovery pushed the pricing curve upward.

Disruptions to manufacturing and supply lines caused by Hurricane Ida, which made landfall on the United States Gulf Coast in August, exacerbated the region's supply shortage. Additionally, logistical challenges, particularly truck availability, resulted in delays in product deliveries in the region, contributing to the PTA pricing trend. During the quarter, prices were assessed in the  1110-1150 USD/MT FOB Texas range.

For the Year 2020

Asia

Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) became 10% cheaper in the first week of January 2020, providing significant relief to synthetic yarn manufacturers following the temporary stoppage of imports from China due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The elimination of anti-dumping duties on this essential synthetic textile raw ingredient resulted in its reduction in price in India. PTA prices were recorded at 600-620 USD/MT. The prices are decided by crude oil prices. In the near term, the Asia Pacific region's supply glut of the chemical lessened as numerous manufacturers in China and India implemented a temporary shutdown in response to waning fears about coronavirus spread and falling polyester demand.

However, the approaching start-up of new PTA capacity in China put manufacturers and merchants under pressure due to excess production in times of lingering downstream demand.

Europe

As the European region resumed activities at a steady pace following a significant increase in lockdown restrictions, demand from the polyester and plastic industries saw a much-needed resurgence following a prolonged period of dormancy in the previous quarter.

Better market dynamics were obscured in the following months by a rise of PTA cargoes from the Asian region as a result of China's planned capacity increases. Concerns over the reemergence of coronavirus in several parts of Europe also put doubt on the chemical’s near-term demand prognosis.

North America

The North American market benefited significantly from growing demands for packaging materials as a result of escalating coronavirus. Increased demand as a result of a favorable shift in consumer attitudes toward single-use plastics benefited the US PTA business significantly.

The local market was unexpected to experience significant demand issues as long as the aluminum scarcity prevailed. However, the extended slump in the polyester industry slowed down the market's growth in the packaging sector.

Latin America

Crude oil prices fell globally during early months of 2020, following the commencement of the COVID-19 epidemic. With transportation and industrial activity almost halted, the global demand for crude oil fell to an all-time low. Due to the decreased crude oil prices and a downfall in demand, PTA prices also reduced.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid). Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.