China’s butyl glycol market is expected to strengthen further in May 2026, extending the firm trend seen in April when EGBE CFR Qingdao rose 7.5% amid tight supply, strong coatings season restocking, and higher ethylene oxide and n butanol costs. For May, market sentiment remains bullish, with ChemAnalyst projecting an 8% month on month increase as elevated feedstock prices, uneven container availability, and persistent freight premiums continue to shape procurement strategies. Carriers are signaling potential mid quarter freight adjustments due to vessel repositioning and weather related disruptions, reinforcing higher landed cost expectations. Upstream fundamentals also support firmness, with ethylene oxide and n butanol values expected to remain elevated and regional refinery constraints tightening ethylene linked inputs. Demand from paints, coatings, and cleaning chemical manufacturers remains strong, supported by seasonal production peaks and expanding coatings activity across Asia Pacific, particularly in China and India. With constrained merchant supply and producers prioritizing contracts, spot liquidity is likely to remain thin, keeping May pricing on an upward trajectory.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
