Prices of Organics Changed Differently       

Methanol       

In early September, because of the tense supply of methanol, China's methanol price rose with fluctuation. In eastern China, the bulk trading price of methanol rose to around RMB2 085/t, up RMB25/t over that in mid August 2009.
   In mid September, the price of methanol continued to increase, but the slack demand for methanol restricted the price growth. In eastern China, the bulk trading price of methanol rose to around RMB2 135/t.
   Because of the tense supply of methanol, players are optimistic to the future market. The price of methanol is expected to increase, but the growth will not be big.

Acetic acid   

In early September 2009, because of the slack demand for acetic acid in downstream sectors, China's acetic acid price decreased considerably. In southern China, the bulk trading prices of acetic acid were RMB3 000-3 100/t in early September, a drop of RMB300/t from those in late August.
   In mid September, traders held wait and see attitude toward the future market, but due to tense supply, the price of acetic acid rose considerably. In southern China, the bulk trading price of acetic acid reached RMB3 400-3 500/t.
   The demand for acetic acid is expected to drop, so the price of acetic acid will probably decrease.

Phthalic anhydride

In the first half of August 2009, because of the increased demand and tense supply of phthalic anhydride, China's phthalic anhydride price increased considerably. In eastern China, the price rose from RMB8 100-8 200/t in early August to RMB8 500-8 600/t in mid August.
   In the second half of August, the prices of phthalic anhydride fell with few trading actions due to the slack demand. In eastern China, the price dropped to RMB8 200-8 300/t by the end of August.
   The demand for phthalic anhydride is expected to be soft and production cost will maintain at a low level, so the price of phthalic anhydride will probably continue to be down.

n-Butanol

In the first half of August 2009, China's price of n-butanol rose considerably because of price rise of n-butanol in the international market. In eastern China, the price of n-butanol reached around RMB9 400-9 600/t in mid August, a rise of around RMB300/t over that in early August.
    In the second half of August, due to irrational price rise of n-butanol and decreased demand, the price of n-butanol fell. By the end of August, the price of n-butanol dropped to RMB9 200-9 250/t.
    In the first half of September, the price of n-butanol continued to decrease. In eastern China, the price fell to RMB9 000-9 100/t in mid September.
    The supply is expected to decrease but due to the soft demand, domestic n-butanol market will probably fluctuate slightly.

Octanol

In the first half of August 2009, China's price of octanol increased considerably in response to the price rise of raw material and the tense supply of octanol in domestic market, in eastern China, the prices of octanol reached RMB10 500-10 600/t in mid August, an increase of RMB1 500/t over that at the end of July.
    In the second half of August, the price of octanol fell due to the soft demand for octanol. In eastern China, the prices of octanol dropped to RMB10 000-10 200/t by the end of August.
    In the first half of September, the prices of octanol continued to be down, in eastern China, the prices fell to RMB9 700-9 800/t in mid September.
    The supply of octanol is expected to be tense, but due to the slack demand for octanol, the price of octanol is expected to be in deadlock.

Pure MDI

From mid August to mid September, China's pure MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) price firstly fell in response to the soft demand for pure MDI and high inventory, and then rose considerably because domestic producers lifted their quoted prices of pure MDI in succession. In eastern China, the bulk trading prices of pure MDI reached RMB17 700-17 800/t in mid September, an increase of RMB200/t over those in mid August.
   In spite of the slack demand, the supply of pure MDI is expected to be tense, so the price of pure MDI will be likely to go up slightly.