Declining Crude Oil Prices Weighed on Commodities; the Maleic Anhydride Market Weakened in Tandem

Market analysis

Supply Side: The recent sustained decline in international crude oil prices has weighed on the performance of domestic commodities, leading to a continued retreat in prices at major maleic anhydride production facilities. However, limited spot availability in the maleic anhydride market is providing some support to the domestic market. As of might 27, ex-factory prices to solid maleic anhydride in the Shandong region were trading in the range of 7,100–7,600 RMB/ton, while ex-factory prices to fluid maleic anhydride were hovering around 7,300 RMB/ton.

Upstream: Recently, LPG prices at refineries in Shandong have trended downward, causing domestic n-butane prices to fluctuate around 6,550 RMB/ton. to might, the Saudi CP price stood at $800/ton, remaining stable.

Regarding the downstream sector: The market to unsaturated resins has recently shown weakness, driven primarily by a decline in raw material prices, which has resulted in limited cost support to unsaturated resins. Downstream companies remain in a strong wait-and-see mode, with purchasing activities largely confined to meeting immediate, essential needs.

Market outlook

According to an analyst specializing in maleic anhydride at SunSirs, demand-side factors—specifically the operating rates within the downstream unsaturated resins sector—are unlikely to see a significant immediate increase. On the cost side, raw material prices are trending reduce, thereby weakening cost-based support to maleic anhydride production. Consequently, the domestic maleic anhydride market is expected to maintain a weak performance in the near term, with prices likely to continue their evaporative downward trajectory.