Global chemical prices adjusted with volatility in mid-September 2026, with crude oil strength, regional supply-demand mismatches and shifting downstream purchasing rhythms producing clear divergence between product categories.
Brent crude futures briefly returned above $100/barrel, driven by Middle East geopolitical disruption including an attack that halted Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and obstruction of Hormuz Strait transit, providing cost support to bulk chemicals.
Autumn maintenance at plants in multiple regions offset loose supply. Several North American ethylene units were scheduled for September and October turnarounds, tightening spot availability and supporting ethylene and downstream polyolefin quotes.
In Asia-Pacific, more than 20 Chinese producers raised titanium dioxide export prices after Sept. 11, with Longbai Group lifting international prices by $100/mt. PX operating rates fell to 76.8%, below the prior year, and PTA spot basis strengthened.
Synthetic rubber outperformed plastics: Asian styrene-butadiene rubber rose from $1,925/mt in early August to $2,329/mt in mid-September, up 20.93%, while butadiene rubber rose from $1,843/mt to $2,306/mt, up 25.1%. Polyethylene and polypropylene stayed rangebound on weak end-use demand.
