Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA) Price Trend Analysis 2026: Supply Demand Analysis, Market Insights, Price Drivers, Historical Prices & Latest News
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Purified Isophthalic Acid Price Trend H1 2024
Asia
In the Asia-Pacific region, purified isophthalic acid prices saw a significant upward trend in the first quarter of 2024. This surge was primarily due to supply disruptions caused by the shutdown of key toluene plants in major exporting provinces, exacerbated by the Chinese Lunar New Year festivities, which further tightened the market. The outcomes of the OPEC+ production policy meeting also contributed to market tensions, as production cuts were less than anticipated. This combination of supply shortages and increased demand led to a sharp rise in prices across the region.
Moving into the second quarter, the Asian purified isophthalic acid market remained buoyant. Tight supply conditions continued to support prices, and re-stocking activities in China ahead of the festival season provided additional momentum. The rising cost of feedstock xylene, driven by fluctuating crude oil market sentiments, further increased production costs, pushing prices higher. Despite global trade disruptions and escalating transportation charges, both domestic and international inquiries for purified isophthalic acid derivatives remained strong, reinforcing the market's upward trajectory.
Europe
In Europe, purified isophthalic acid prices also experienced an increase in the first quarter, driven by heightened demand from the downstream plasticizers market and reduced inventory levels due to increased consumption. However, supply chain disruptions, such as farmer protests and a rail strike in Germany, created uncertainties in the market. Rising feedstock prices and increasing production costs, compounded by supply shortages, led to higher purified isophthalic acid prices. As the quarter progressed, increased trading activities, particularly from Germany to overseas markets, further supported the price trend.
However, in the second quarter, the European purified isophthalic acid market did not share the same positive outlook as Asia. Prices fluctuated and ultimately settled at the lower end of the spectrum. Weak cost support from feedstock industries and muted demand from downstream sectors, especially the PET resin market, contributed to this subdued pricing trend. Despite a decline in Asian imports, the European market faced challenges in balancing supply and demand, leading to a lackluster performance.
North America
In North America, purified isophthalic acid prices saw a significant rise in the first quarter, influenced by sustained demand and higher costs for toluene and phthalic anhydride. Geopolitical tensions and potential US military involvement in the Middle East, alongside shipping route disruptions, further complicated the market. Supply chain constraints, particularly in raw materials, also played a role, with major toluene manufacturers operating under force majeure due to severe weather conditions. These factors provided strong cost support to the purified isophthalic acid market in the region.
The upward trend continued into the second quarter, resonating with the Asian market's dynamics. Shortages in import supply, coupled with rising ocean freight charges and longer lead times, pushed prices higher. Although demand from downstream PET industries was modest, the ongoing supply challenges and rising feedstock costs were sufficient to drive purified isophthalic acid prices upward throughout the quarter.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price of Purified Isophthalic Acid is expected to continue its northwards trajectory under ample support from the feedstock as well as downstream industries.
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Asia
Purified isophthalic acid (PIA) prices showcased an underwhelming performance during the second half of the year 2023. Quarter three began with lackluster demands from the downstream consuming sectors. The inventories were already stacked and overflowing with unused products. Still the feedstock paraxylene prices and the running oil costs were providing some upstream cost support. But as the crude oil prices dipped in the following quarter, the purified isophthalic acid prices also dived down.
The US Dollar also strengthened in the international market, which ticked inflation in several Asian markets. Overall, a declining trend was observed for purified isophthalic acid during the said time period.
Europe
The situation in the European purified isophthalic acid market was not very different from the Asian market, as the prices were found to be struggling here as well. Quarter three saw a considerable loss in customer interest, especially from the PET bottle industries. This started exerting a reverse pressure on inventories.
The manufacturers even reduced production to balance the parity between the supply and demand dynamics. So, the market rates maintained a downward trajectory. In the fourth quarter, other geopolitical disturbances also became pivotal in determining commodity prices. After the Russian war, the supply chains, especially for Europe, took another hit as the Israel and Hamas conflict erupted. Overall, a dipping trend was witnessed for PIA during H2’23.
North America
The market situation for PIA was not much different in the North American markets than in its Asian and European counterparts. The prices were observed to be sliding down here as well. Dull downstream demands were fundamentally the reason the performance remained unsatisfactory for the most part. Inventories were exhausted since the beginning of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, a supply chain crisis was observed as the drought prolonged in the Panama Canal, hindering the passage of vessels. Still, the existing stocks could handle the existing demands.
About Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA)
Purified Isophthalic Acid has a little unpleasant odour. It is a colourless solid isomer of phtalic acid and tereohthalic acid. Isophthalic acid is a benzenedicarboxylic acid with carboxy groups at positions 1 and 3 substituting for benzene. It improves the clarity of bottles, thermal/mechanical/chemical resistance of unsaturated polyester resins and maintains the durability and weatherability of polyesters.
Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA) Product Detail
HS Code
29173930
Chemical Formula
C8H6O4
CAS Number
121-91-5
Molecular Weight
166.13 g/mol
Industrial Uses
Production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, Production of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR)
Synonyms
Benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, m-Phthalic acid
Supplier Database
Lotte Chemical, Eastman, SABIC, British Petroleum (BP), Total Petrochemicals
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA) Production Processes
- Production of Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA) from Oxidation
The procedure involves using oxygen to oxidise m-xylene. After being separated as crude isophthalic acid, the generated isophthalic acid is then hydrogenated to produce refined isophthalic acid (PIA).
Frequently Asked Questions
The PIA outlook is constructive, with prices expected to continue their northwards trajectory. Ample support comes from rising feedstock costs, with xylene and toluene tracking crude oil, and firm downstream demand across PET resin and plasticizers. Supply-side pressure from plant shutdowns, OPEC+ dynamics, and freight inflation reinforces the bias. However, a softening in European PET demand or a meaningful easing of feedstock costs could moderate the pace of gains.
PIA prices are driven by feedstock costs, regional demand and logistics. In Asia, toluene plant shutdowns, OPEC+ supply decisions, festival-season demand, xylene costs linked to crude oil, re-stocking, and rising freight charges push prices higher. In Europe, firm plasticizers demand and depleted inventories support prices, while weak feedstock support and muted PET resin demand cause retreats. Disruptions such as strikes and protests can further tighten regional inventories.
The purified isophthalic acid market is concentrated in Asia Pacific, including China, South Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia, with manufacturing from Lotte Chemical and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, while Eastman produces in the United States and Europe has a smaller regional supply base across Germany, France, and the UK. Demand is strongest in North America and major Asia Pacific economies, driven by PET resins, polyurethanes, automotive plastics, and packaging, though this geographic concentration creates supply-security risks for downstream buyers in importing regions.
Purified isophthalic acid is produced via the oxidation of m-xylene, a petroleum and natural gas derivative, using oxygen as the oxidising agent. The process first yields crude isophthalic acid, which is then hydrogenated and purified to produce the final PIA product. Finished PIA feeds into the production of unsaturated polyester resins and polyethylene terephthalate resin, with further downstream uses in polyurethane resins, fiberglass reinforced plastics, packaging materials, and automotive high-performance plastics.
PET resin production for packaging, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) for fiberglass-reinforced plastics, and polyurethane resins for insulation are the primary demand drivers for PIA. Strong PET and UPR buying in Asia, combined with restocking ahead of festival seasons, keeps inquiries firm and tightens supply, pushing prices higher. In Europe, demand from the plasticizers and PET resin markets underpins gains, though softer downstream PET offtake can weaken prices. Sustained activity across these sectors translates directly into PIA procurement volumes and price support.
Procurement Resource assesses purified isophthalic acid prices through a structured, data-driven methodology. Analysts engage directly with producers, suppliers and traders to capture real-time market signals, supplemented by secondary market data and continuous monitoring of feedstock and input costs. Trade-flow and inventory tracking, alongside exchange and spot benchmarks, are validated and translated into a transparent price assessment and outlook. The detailed methodology is available on the Procurement Resource website.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
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