Why did China's cyclohexanone prices surge in September and what drove the increase?

Why did China's cyclohexanone prices surge in September and what drove the increase?
Cyclohexanone prices in China saw a notable uptick in September, with Shandong producers raising offers by 250 yuan per ton in a single day, pushing mainstream quotes to 9,300-9,400 yuan per ton. The primary driver was upstream pure benzene cost escalation, which lifted refinery prices and triggered downstream chain reactions. This price movement aligns with broader aromatic derivative strength, as benzene feedstock costs remain the dominant swing factor for cyclohexanone margins. Major producers including Juhua, Wanhua Chemical, Hengli and Rongsheng participated in the upward adjustment. The market remains sensitive to benzene volatility, and buyers should monitor crude oil and toluene trends closely to anticipate near-term cyclohexanone direction.