Tight supply fails to offset constrained demand, leaving durene prices torn between upside and downside pressure.

Introduction:
Although China’s synthetic-process durene units have resumed operations, producers are cutting output to support prices. Combined with equally low operating rates at C10-based durene units, the durene market is dominated by strong price-supporting and wait-and-see sentiment. Downstream, however, crude anhydride and pyromellitic anhydride markets lack upward momentum, with producers mainly fulfilling earlier orders. Durene feedstock procurement remains limited to essential needs. With supply and demand subdued but stable, durene prices are caught between rises and falls, and the overall market is temporarily holding steady.

I. Durene Spot Supply Is Tight

According to Chempricehub Statistics, in June, companies including Shenghong Refining & Chemical, Fuhai Chuangye, and Fuhaoweilian suspended operations for maintenance. In July, none of the previously suspended companies except CNOOC Taizhou had resumed production. In addition, units at Hongrun Technology and Wudi Xinyue were under maintenance, dragging market supply down to 178,900 tons, the lowest level this year. This supply level is not only the lowest since 2026 but also a sharp year-on-year decline of 45.97%. Due to reduced external supply of industrial C10 crude aromatics, domestic C10-based durene units have continued to run at low operating rates, at only about 20%.

II. Durene Market Holds Steady at High Levels

Meanwhile, although the synthetic-process durene unit in Shaanxi has resumed operations, producers are reducing output to support prices, keeping overall durene supply low. Market participants therefore hold a strong price-supporting stance, with mainstream prices at 14,000–15,000 yuan/ton. However, as terminal markets such as polyimide film enter the off-season, manufacturers of crude anhydride and pyromellitic anhydride face pressure in shipping goods and are mainly fulfilling earlier orders. With production cautious and unit operating rates similarly low, high-end durene transactions are difficult to conclude, and new deals are rarely heard.

III. Durene Faces Difficulty in Moving in Either Direction

Table 1 Price list of domestic durene and upstream/downstream products (July 24–31, 2026)

Unit: yuan/ton