Tight supply cannot offset weak demand, and durene (1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene) price rally lacks upward momentum.

Lead: Domestic C10-based durene units are operating at low loads, and synthetic durene units have been shut down, leaving spot durene supply tight. However, downstream crude anhydride and PMDA markets are maintaining rigid demand for raw material procurement and are negative toward high-price negotiations, which has curbed the upward momentum in the durene market. Transactions are mostly in small lots.

I. Durene Supply Remains Tight

According to Chempricehub Intelligence, toward the end of the month, Ningbo Zhongjin Petrochemical, Dongying Weilian Chemical, Fuhaichuang, and Shenghong Refining have gradually resumed operations, increasing spot supply of industrial C10 heavy aromatics. However, most of the industrial C10 heavy aromatics from Fuhaichuang and Shenghong Refining are pre-sold, and the durene content in the externally supplied industrial C10 heavy aromatics has declined, which has kept C10-based durene units at low operating loads. Meanwhile, due to negative factors such as rising costs and profit inversion, synthetic durene units have been shut down for maintenance with no confirmed restart schedule. As a result, the domestic durene market remains tight, with the overall operating load at only 19.20%.

II. Durene Prices Rise Steadily

Table 1: Price List of Domestic PMDA and Upstream/Downstream Products (2026-08-22 to 08-28)

Unit: RMB/ton