① [Chempricehub] Oct 9: The US and Iran stated that negotiations are ongoing, easing market concerns. However, hurricanes continued to suppress US crude oil production, driving international oil prices higher. NYMEX November crude futures closed at $91.85/bbl, up $0.36/bbl (+0.39% W/W); ICE Brent December futures closed at $104.72/bbl, up $0.44/bbl (+0.42% W/W). China INE November crude futures rose by 3.9 CNY to 741.3 CNY/bbl; the night session fell by 1.5 CNY to 739.8 CNY/bbl.
② Today, domestic cyclohexanone capacity utilization stood at approximately 59.7%. The trend toward integrated cyclohexanone-caprolactam production has matured, with most facilities producing caprolactam simultaneously. Supply of merchant-grade cyclohexanone remains stable, while downstream fiber orders are being placed on an as-needed basis.
③ Sinopec refineries in East China, South China, and Central China raised pure benzene prices by 400 CNY/ton to 10,600 CNY/ton, effective October 9.
Table 1: Domestic Cyclohexanone Price Summary (Unit: CNY/ton)
| Market | Specification | Oct 10 | Oct 12 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East China | Cyclohexanone | 11,450 | 11,450 | 0 | 0% |
Based on the East China market, today’s cyclohexanone price reference is 11,400–11,500 CNY/ton, remaining stable compared to the previous trading day. Pure benzene raw material costs lack support, spot supply of cyclohexanone is stable, and downstream buyers are cautious about following high prices. The market is fluctuating within a narrow range.
Today, the integration between cyclohexanone and caprolactam production continues to improve, leading to a reduction in the supply of merchant-grade cyclohexanone. Downstream fiber orders remain limited.
The pure benzene market is operating weakly, lacking cost-side support. Capacity utilization for merchant-grade cyclohexanone remains low, and downstream procurement is strictly demand-driven. It is expected that the cyclohexanone market will follow pure benzene fluctuations in the short term.
Pure Benzene Market: On October 12, spot negotiations for pure benzene in East China ranged from 10,300 to 10,540 CNY/ton, with an average price of 10,420 CNY/ton, down 280 CNY/ton from the previous working day. Negotiations for late October ranged from 10,170 to 10,250 CNY/ton (average 10,210), down 205 CNY/ton. Late November negotiations ranged from 9,410 to 9,630 CNY/ton (average 9,520), down 260 CNY/ton. Late December negotiations ranged from 8,860 to 9,060 CNY/ton (average 8,960), down 240 CNY/ton. Unit: CNY/ton.
Caprolactam: Today, the East China caprolactam market price was 14,200 CNY/ton (acceptance payment, delivered), holding steady from the previous working day. At the beginning of the week, caprolactam producers had not issued clear quotations. While upstream pure benzene spot prices dipped slightly, some caprolactam producers reduced operating rates due to losses. The caprolactam market remained stable today.
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