According to the monitoring of the Business News Agency, the price of activated carbon at the beginning of this week was 10533 yuan/ton, while the price of activated carbon at the weekend was 10633 yuan/ton, with a price increase of 0.95%.

The factory price of domestic activated carbon for coconut shell water purification is between 9600-12500 yuan/ton, with an increase in market inquiries. Domestic coal based activated carbon production enterprises operate normally, with a relatively high spot supply compared to the annual average level, and a moderate enthusiasm for shipment.

Active carbon has a rich source of raw materials, including coal, sawdust, fruit shells, straw, etc. Through a series of processes to prepare activated carbon suitable for water treatment, active carbon manufacturers are also continuously improving the performance of activated carbon, increasing its working capacity, and effectively adsorbing and purifying wastewater.

Prediction: The transaction in the activated carbon market is active and fair, and the trading atmosphere on the floor has warmed. It is expected that the price of activated carbon will mainly fluctuate in a narrow range in the short term.

According to the monitoring of the Business Agency, the domestic MTBE market has surged and fallen back. From March 10th to 17th, the price of MTBE fell from 7412 yuan/ton to 7237 yuan/ton, with a 2.36% decrease in price during the cycle, a 5.20% month-on-month increase in price, and a 3.50% year-on-year decrease. As the price rises to a high level, the enthusiasm for receiving goods from downstream has weakened. In addition, crude oil has declined broadly in the second half of the week, resulting in a strong pessimistic atmosphere in the market, and demand has been increasingly reduced. MTBE prices have followed the downward trend.

In terms of cost and crude oil, international crude oil has plummeted continuously, with Brent falling by more than 10%. The impact of pessimism has spread, and the market is mostly on the sidelines. The cost side is negative for the domestic oil industry chain, while the MTBE cost side is temporarily negative.

On the demand side, the gasoline market slightly decreased, while downstream demand followed suit. The MTBE demand side is temporarily negative.

As of the close of March 16th, the closing price of the Asian MTBE market was reduced by 75.50 US dollars per ton compared to the previous trading day, while FOB Singapore closed at 886.49-888.49 US dollars per ton. The closing price of the European MTBE market increased by US $14.25/ton compared to the previous trading day, while the FOB ARA closed at US $950.74-951.24/ton. The closing price of the US MTBE market increased by 33.20 US dollars per ton compared to the previous trading day, while the FOB Gulf price closed at 1190.31-1190.66 US dollars per ton (335.30-335.40 US cents per gallon).

In the future, it is predicted that the prices of gasoline and gasoline raw materials will follow the downward trend due to the continuous deep decline of crude oil, resulting in a weaker transaction. Business agency MTBE analysts believe that in the short term, the domestic MTBE market may be dominated by fluctuations and consolidation.

Recent price trend of sulfuric acid

As can be seen from the above figure, the domestic sulfuric acid market price rose slightly this week, with the sulfuric acid price rising from 268.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 273.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, an increase of 1.86%. Compared with the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 71.63%. The sulfuric acid commodity index stood at 42.54 on March 19, unchanged from yesterday, down 77.38% from the cycle’s highest point of 188.07 (2022-04-13), and up 34.96% from the lowest point of 31.52 on June 6, 2019. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-09-01 to now)

Upstream market fluctuates and falls, while downstream procurement enthusiasm is good

From the perspective of the upstream and downstream industrial chains, the upstream sulfur market declined slightly, with the sulfur price falling from 1223.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 1213.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, a decrease of 0.82%. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decline was 61.07%, with a slight decline in the upstream market and weakened cost support. The downstream hydrofluoric acid market has stabilized at a low level, with a market price of 9714.29 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 10.30%. The downstream titanium dioxide market has stabilized at a high level, with a market price of 17116.67 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 18.88%. Downstream prices fluctuate with each other, and downstream procurement enthusiasm is good.

Slightly volatile decline in the future market

In late March, the domestic sulfuric acid market may fluctuate slightly and fall mainly. The upstream sulfur market has recently declined slightly, and cost support has weakened. Downstream ammonium sulfate and hydrofluoric acid markets have stabilized at a low level, while titanium dioxide markets have stabilized at a high level. Downstream customers have a general enthusiasm for purchasing sulfuric acid, and the product trend has declined due to supply and demand conflicts. Sulfuric acid analysts from the Business Society believe that the short-term domestic sulfuric acid market is mainly affected by supply and demand, raw materials, and other factors, and the sulfuric acid market price may fluctuate slightly.

According to the data monitored by the Business News Agency, as of March 20, the price of high-quality power type lithium iron phosphate was 121000 yuan/ton, which was a weak decline compared to the lithium iron phosphate market in the same period last week. The overall price fell by 13.57%. The mainstream price range was around 120000 yuan/ton, mainly for contract customers, and new orders were not received.

Lithium iron phosphate is mainly operated in a weak manner, with a significant price decline. Currently, the mainstream price is 120000 yuan/ton. The upstream price is operated in a weak manner, with a downward trend in price. The cost side support for lithium iron phosphate is insufficient. Downstream procurement is based on demand, with insufficient demand and slow order issuance. The manufacturer’s supply source is only for old customers. Currently, the operating rate is normal, and logistics is smooth. In the short term, lithium iron phosphate is operated in a weak manner.

Chemical commodity index: On March 19, the chemical index stood at 918 points, unchanged from yesterday, down 34.43% from the cycle’s highest point of 1400 points (2021-10-23), and up 53.51% from the lowest point of 598 points on April 8, 2020. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-12-01 to now)

Analysts from the Business Society believe that the weak operation of the lithium iron phosphate market is dominant in the short term.

According to the data monitored by the Business News Agency, as of March 17, the average price of domestic general transparent premium PMMA products was 14775.00 yuan/ton. This week, the overall PMMA market was in a weak position, with prices falling slightly. Currently, the market is in a balanced supply and demand situation, with downstream replenishment on demand, and the focus of negotiations stable.

This week, domestic general transparent grade premium PMMA products were mainly operated smoothly, with stable prices. The overall market negotiation atmosphere was general, with the quotation range of mainstream manufacturers maintaining around 15000 yuan/ton. The overall market operating rate was stable, with a balance between supply and demand. The manufacturer gave up profits and took orders. Downstream procurement was primarily required. The enterprise quotation was Shanghai Hongqi Plasticizing Technology Co., Ltd. at 14300 yuan/ton.

Rubber and Plastic Index: On March 16, the rubber and plastic index stood at 678 points, down 3 points from yesterday, down 36.04% from the cycle’s highest point of 1060 points (2012-03-14), and up 28.41% from the lowest point of 528 points on April 6, 2020.

PMMA analysts from the Business Agency believe that in the short term, PMMA will maintain a stable operation with a limited range of price fluctuations.