Phthalic Anhydride Prices in Northeast Asia – August 2026
In August 2026, Phthalic Anhydride Prices in Northeast Asia reached USD 1.30/Kg, registering a 14.0% increase from the previous period. The upward movement reflected firmer feedstock costs, stronger downstream consumption, and tighter regional availability. Demand from plasticizers, unsaturated polyester resins, coatings, and related chemical applications supported the market.
Get the Real-Time Prices Analysis: https://www.imarcgroup.com/phthalic-anhydride-pricing-report/requestsample
Phthalic Anhydride Prices in Europe – August 2026
In August 2026, Phthalic Anhydride prices in Europe stood at USD 1.53/Kg, marking a 16.8% increase. The rise was influenced by higher production expenses, stronger feedstock values, and improved downstream procurement. Demand from plasticizers, resins, paints, coatings, and construction-related applications contributed to the firmer European pricing environment during the month.
Phthalic Anhydride Prices in the Middle East – August 2026
In August 2026, Phthalic Anhydride prices in the Middle East reached USD 1.10/Kg, increasing 13.4% from the previous period. Higher feedstock and manufacturing costs, combined with steady downstream requirements, supported the upward movement. Regional supply availability, trade flows, and demand from plasticizer and resin manufacturers further influenced market sentiment.
Phthalic Anhydride Prices in Southeast Asia – August 2026
In August 2026, Phthalic Anhydride prices in Southeast Asia stood at USD 1.32/Kg, recording a significant 34.7% increase. The sharp rise was supported by elevated production costs, stronger procurement activity, and tighter availability. Demand from plasticizers, alkyd resins, coatings, and construction-related industries contributed to the region's notably firmer market conditions.
Phthalic Anhydride Prices in North America – August 2026
In August 2026, Phthalic Anhydride prices in North America reached USD 1.74/Kg, registering a substantial 33.8% increase. The upward movement reflected higher feedstock and energy costs, alongside firm industrial demand and supply considerations. Consumption from plasticizers, coatings, resins, and construction applications provided additional support to regional market pricing.
Note: The analysis can be tailored to align with the customer's specific needs.
What is Phthalic Anhydride?
Phthalic Anhydride is an important aromatic chemical intermediate with the molecular formula C₈H₄O₃. It is primarily produced through the catalytic oxidation of ortho-xylene, with naphthalene also used in some production routes. The material is commercially important because it serves as a building block for phthalate plasticizers, alkyd resins, unsaturated polyester resins, coatings, and several specialty chemicals.
Phthalic Anhydride Prices – August 2026
According to the August 2026 benchmark, Phthalic Anhydride prices increased across all reported regions. North America recorded the highest price at USD 1.74/Kg, while the Middle East recorded USD 1.10/Kg. Southeast Asia registered the strongest monthly movement, rising 34.7%, followed by North America at 33.8%.
Phthalic Anhydride Price Trend – August 2026
The Phthalic Anhydride market showed a broadly upward regional trend in August 2026, although underlying market conditions remained mixed. The supplied benchmark recorded double-digit increases across all five regions. Feedstock economics, particularly ortho-xylene and energy costs, remained important influences, while downstream plasticizer and resin demand affected purchasing behavior.
Market assessments toward the end of August indicated that Chinese Phthalic Anhydride prices were entering a correction phase, with manufacturers operating with relatively low inventories while downstream plasticizer and resin demand remained an important factor to monitor.
Factors Affecting Phthalic Anhydride Prices
- Ortho-Xylene Prices
Ortho-xylene (o-xylene) is a major feedstock for Phthalic Anhydride. Changes in its cost directly affect production economics. Higher o-xylene prices can increase producer costs and support higher Phthalic Anhydride quotations, while softer feedstock values can reduce cost pressure.
- Crude Oil and Energy Costs
Crude oil, naphtha, natural gas, and electricity prices influence the broader petrochemical cost structure. Energy-market volatility can therefore quickly affect Phthalic Anhydride manufacturing and transportation expenses.
- Plasticizer Demand
Phthalic Anhydride is extensively consumed in the production of phthalate plasticizers, making plasticizer operating rates and demand important price indicators. More than half of Phthalic Anhydride demand in China has historically been associated with plasticizer applications, according to ECHEMI's 2025 market review.
- Polyester and Alkyd Resin Demand
Demand from unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, coatings, paints, and related applications influences overall consumption. Construction, infrastructure, automotive, and industrial activity can therefore indirectly affect Phthalic Anhydride procurement.
- Production Rates and Plant Shutdowns
Plant maintenance, unplanned outages, operating-rate changes, and capacity utilization can alter regional supply. Lower operating rates can tighten availability and support prices, while higher production can increase market availability.
- Inventory Levels
Inventory conditions influence buyer and seller behavior. Low producer or distributor inventories can encourage restocking and strengthen offers, whereas comfortable stocks can reduce urgency and limit price increases.
- Freight and Logistics
Shipping costs, port availability, regional trade flows, and geopolitical disruptions can affect delivered Phthalic Anhydride prices, particularly in import-dependent markets.
Phthalic Anhydride Supply and Price Index
The Phthalic Anhydride price index tracks regional market prices while considering feedstock costs, production economics, supply availability, downstream consumption, inventories, and logistics.
The August 2026 IMARC benchmark shows prices ranging from USD 1.10/Kg in the Middle East to USD 1.74/Kg in North America.
India also recorded significant wholesale-price inflation in August 2026. India's Phthalic Anhydride wholesale price index was 121.9, representing a 39.00% year-on-year increase, although it declined 7.09% month-on-month. This government-linked WPI series uses 2022–23 as its base year, so it should be distinguished from regional commodity-price assessments.
Phthalic Anhydride Supply Outlook
Global supply remains closely linked to o-xylene availability, plant utilization, petrochemical feedstock conditions, and regional production capacity. China represents a major production base, making Chinese operating rates and export availability important indicators for Asian and international markets.
During 2025, the Chinese market experienced oversupply pressure, with the average East China o-xylene-route Phthalic Anhydride price declining 9.60% year-on-year, according to ECHEMI. The market subsequently experienced stronger cost pressure during parts of 2026.
By late August 2026, Chinese producers were reported to have relatively low inventories and limited order acceptance, while market participants continued monitoring upstream raw-material availability and downstream plasticizer and resin demand.
Phthalic Anhydride Current Demand
Current demand is concentrated in several important chemical value chains. Phthalate plasticizers represent a major outlet, while alkyd resins and unsaturated polyester resins provide additional demand.
These derivatives are subsequently used in products associated with construction, coatings, paints, flooring, cables, automotive components, fiberglass-reinforced plastics, and industrial materials. PubChem identifies phthalate plasticizers, glyptal and alkyd resins, polyester resins, dyes, pigments, and other chemical intermediates among Phthalic Anhydride's applications.
Demand conditions during 2026 have remained sensitive to construction and resin activity, with buyers in some markets maintaining relatively cautious procurement patterns.
Phthalic Anhydride News – August 2026
A notable August development was the correction in the Chinese Phthalic Anhydride market. An August 27 market assessment described prices as being in a deep correction phase after reaching relatively high levels, with limited room for further increases according to that assessment. Low producer inventories and downstream plasticizer and resin demand were identified as key variables for the subsequent market direction.
Meanwhile, broader 2026 market assessments continued to identify o-xylene costs, energy conditions, supply availability, and downstream resin and plasticizer consumption as the principal variables influencing prices.
Phthalic Anhydride Future Price Outlook
The future pricing environment is expected to remain sensitive to the interaction between o-xylene costs and downstream demand. Higher feedstock or energy costs could provide upward cost support, while weak plasticizer, construction, or resin demand could constrain increases.
One 2026 market assessment projects continued regional divergence during the second half of the year, with Asian markets potentially behaving differently from European and North American markets. It places the broad global H2 2026 price range at approximately USD 1,050–1,550/MT, although actual prices vary significantly by location, grade, and pricing basis.
Previous Year Phthalic Anhydride Price Comparison
The 2025 market provides useful context for the 2026 pricing environment. According to ECHEMI, China's East China o-xylene-route Phthalic Anhydride averaged CNY 6,653.97/ton in 2025, representing a 9.60% decline from 2024. The decline was attributed to lower raw-material costs, oversupply, and weak downstream demand.
A separate Indian wholesale-price series shows that Phthalic Anhydride's index was 87.7 in August 2025, compared with 121.9 in August 2026. The corresponding year-on-year change moved from -18.80% in August 2025 to +39.00% in August 2026, indicating a substantial change in India's wholesale pricing environment.
Because these datasets use different regions and pricing methodologies, they should not be combined into a single global year-on-year percentage.
Major Uses of Phthalic Anhydride
Phthalic Anhydride is a versatile chemical intermediate with applications across several industries.
Key Uses Include:
- Phthalate plasticizers
- Alkyd resins
- Unsaturated polyester resins
- Paints and coatings
- Dyes and pigments
- Epoxy-resin curing systems
- Fiberglass-reinforced plastics
- Synthetic resins
- Agricultural chemicals
- Pharmaceutical intermediates
- Rubber processing
- Industrial chemicals
Its role in plasticizers and synthetic resins makes Phthalic Anhydride particularly important to the construction, automotive, coatings, plastics, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phthalic Anhydride
What is Phthalic Anhydride?
Phthalic Anhydride is an aromatic chemical intermediate primarily manufactured by catalytic oxidation of o-xylene. It is widely used to manufacture plasticizers, alkyd resins, polyester resins, and other chemical products.
What was the Phthalic Anhydride price in August 2026?
The August 2026 benchmark was USD 1.30/Kg in Northeast Asia, USD 1.53/Kg in Europe, USD 1.10/Kg in the Middle East, USD 1.32/Kg in Southeast Asia, and USD 1.74/Kg in North America.
What factors affect Phthalic Anhydride prices?
The major factors include o-xylene prices, crude oil, energy costs, plant operating rates, inventories, freight expenses, plasticizer demand, resin consumption, and construction activity.
What is Phthalic Anhydride mainly used for?
Its largest applications include the manufacture of phthalate plasticizers, alkyd resins, and unsaturated polyester resins. It is also used in coatings, dyes, pigments, specialty chemicals, and other resin systems.
How is Phthalic Anhydride produced?
Commercially, Phthalic Anhydride is mainly produced through the catalytic oxidation of ortho-xylene. Naphthalene can also be used as a feedstock in certain production processes.
What is the relationship between Phthalic Anhydride and plasticizers?
Phthalic Anhydride is an important precursor for producing phthalate esters, which function as plasticizers in synthetic polymers and resins.
What is the Phthalic Anhydride price outlook?
The outlook remains dependent on o-xylene and energy costs, regional supply, inventory levels, and downstream plasticizer and resin demand. Market assessments indicate that regional divergence and price volatility can continue through the remainder of 2026.
Phthalic Anhydride Market Summary – August 2026
Conclusion
The Phthalic Anhydride market in August 2026 recorded broad price increases across the reported regions, with the strongest movements in Southeast Asia (+34.7%) and North America (+33.8%). Feedstock costs, particularly o-xylene, remained central to production economics, while plasticizer and resin demand continued to shape consumption. Going forward, supply availability, energy prices, inventories, and downstream industrial activity are likely to remain key determinants of Phthalic Anhydride price movements.
Speak to An Analyst: https://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&id=22617&flag=C
Key Coverage:
- Market Analysis
- Market Breakup by Region
- Demand Supply Analysis by Type
- Demand Supply Analysis by Application
- Demand Supply Analysis of Raw Materials
- Price Analysis
- Spot Prices by Major Ports
- Price Breakup
- Price Trends by Region
- Factors influencing the Price Trends
- Market Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
- Competitive Landscape
- Recent Developments
- Global Event Analysis
How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help
The latest IMARC Group study, “Phthalic Anhydride Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition,” presents a detailed analysis of Phthalic Anhydride price trend, offering key insights into global Phthalic Anhydride market dynamics. This report includes comprehensive price charts, which trace historical data and highlights major shifts in the market.
The analysis delves into the factors driving these trends, including raw material costs, production fluctuations, and geopolitical influences. Moreover, the report examines Phthalic Anhydride demand, illustrating how consumer behaviour and industrial needs affect overall market dynamics. By exploring the intricate relationship between supply and demand, the prices report uncovers critical factors influencing current and future prices.
About Us:
IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC’s data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.
Contact us:
IMARC Group
134 N 4th St. Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Email: sales@imarcgroup.com
Tel No:91 120 433 0800
United States: +1-631-791-1145
Comments (0)