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October 21st, 2024

Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) Price | Prices | Pricing | News | Database | Chart

The second quarter of 2024 has been marked by a notable shift in the pricing trends for Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) in the North American region, transitioning from bullish to bearish.

In April 2024, the Easter holiday in the United States led to a sharp increase in PTA prices, a key raw material for plastic beverage bottles. This price surge influenced the cost of bottled beverages at the height of summer. Following Easter, beverage bottle production in the Americas typically ramps up in anticipation of increased summer demand. This annual surge in demand for PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the plastic used in beverage bottles, creates a ripple effect, pushing manufacturers to meet demand, which in turn drove PTA prices higher in May 2024.

However, by June 2024, the market shifted due to declining demand from the polyester and PET resin industries, despite ongoing supply chain disruptions. The bearish sentiment was further reinforced by cautious market participants and reduced demand, which led to falling prices. Additionally, a drop in crude oil prices helped offset rising freight costs caused by global supply chain issues and adverse weather affecting logistics.

In the APAC region, PTA prices during Q2 2024 remained stable, reflecting a balanced market sentiment. Supply and demand dynamics were well-aligned, and consistent production rates helped maintain equilibrium. The region saw no significant price volatility, as ample inventories and steady industrial output eased any potential supply pressures. Moderate demand from downstream industries such as polyester and PET resins further contributed to the stability. Japan, however, experienced the most notable price movement within the region, with a 3% year-on-year increase driven by seasonal factors and a minor rise in demand from the bottling sector during the summer. By the end of the quarter, prices settled at USD 601/MT of PTA FOB Tokyo.

In Europe, the second quarter of 2024 showed a clear uptrend in PTA pricing, driven by a combination of factors. Seasonal demand spikes from the packaging and bottling industries played a significant role, though April saw a brief dip due to oversupply and producers' reluctance to raise prices, fearing customers would turn to imports. In the latter half of the quarter, prices rose sharply, exacerbated by higher freight charges stemming from global supply chain disruptions, particularly around the Red Sea, and port congestion, leading to longer lead times and increased shipping costs. Geopolitical tensions also contributed to logistical challenges, further tightening supply during May. Despite these issues, rising demand from the polyester and PET resin sectors placed upward pressure on prices. Fluctuations in the availability of feedstocks like paraxylene added to production costs, pushing PTA prices higher through June 2024.

Get Real Time Prices for Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA): https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/purified-terephthalic-acid-pta-18

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