PET Bottle Grade Market Snapshot (July 21–25, 2025): Cost-Driven Price Adjustments and Steady Demand

China's Export Market

Export offers from major Chinese producers increased slightly during the week, and some overseas buyers placed additional orders to secure supply amid cost concerns. The majority of transactions were linked to long-term contracts and urgent spot demand, with limited large-volume spot trades. Market discussions indicated steady demand from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, while European and American inquiries remained selective and price-sensitive.

Regional Market Overview

• South & Southeast Asia: Market prices in India and the Middle East remained stable, while parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, saw mild price corrections.

• Northeast Asia: South Korean producers focused on niche and premium markets, while regional spot demand was moderate.

• Other Markets: Europe and North America continued to observe steady demand, but buyers remained cautious in taking positions due to currency fluctuations and freight costs.

Supply & Production

Production rates of Chinese PET bottle-grade resin remained relatively high this week, despite some facilities undergoing scheduled maintenance and output reductions. These short-term capacity adjustments have led to moderate supply tightening; however, overall market supply remains balanced, with factory inventories maintained at relatively low but manageable levels, indicating no immediate supply pressure.

On average, domestic PET bottle grade production capacity utilization hovered around 71.2% weekly, equating to approximately 79.7% of the designed annual capacity of 21.68 million tons. Operating rates showed stability through the week, reflecting a cautious but steady production approach amid market conditions.

Inventory levels across PET bottle chip manufacturers averaged close to 18 days of supply, with some regional variations slightly above or below this range. Several key producers have implemented capacity management measures as part of routine maintenance and operational control:

• China Resources Polyester has operated with approximately 20% reduced output since late June at its Changzhou and Jiangyin plants, affecting a significant share of its capacity.

• China Resources Zhuhai has maintained a similar 20% production cut since late June.

• Yisheng commenced phased shutdowns from July 1, impacting around 1.25 million tons of production capacity.

• Wankai initially scheduled maintenance at its Chongqing facility starting July 1, involving about 600,000 tons of capacity; this was postponed to early July and is expected to last around six weeks.

While these capacity adjustments have contributed to some supply-side tightening, the overall market equilibrium remains intact without significant disruptions.

Market Outlook

In the near term, bottle grade PET prices are expected to follow upstream raw material fluctuations. Export market sentiment will continue to be influenced by exchange rate movements, international freight costs, and regional demand trends. With processing margins under pressure, some producers may optimize their product mix and export strategies to maintain competitiveness. Overall, the market is likely to remain on a mild upward trajectory, with stable-to-firm sentiment in most regions.

Wankai New Materials closely monitors global market changes and remains committed to providing stable, high-quality PET resin supply to its partners worldwide. With robust production capacity and continuous technical innovation, Wankai supports diverse packaging applications and contributes to the sustainable development of the PET industry.