Recently, benzene inventories have been high, leading to weak prices.
On the supply side, domestic refineries are operating at higher capacity, increasing output. Asian exports to mainland China reached 92.34% (January-August data), shifting import pressure to China. On the demand side, downstream styrene inventories are high, the caprolactam industry is experiencing significant losses, and PA6 inventories are also high, all of which are transmitting demand pressure to the benzene market. While inventory pressure exists, high downstream raw material inventories limit the potential for price rebounds.
Downstream and end-user pressures on benzene remain. Without clear macroeconomic policy support, there is room for further decline.
