Sodium Benzoate prices in the United States increased sharply during April 2026, driven by a combination of rising import costs, tighter export availability from Asia, and strong seasonal demand from downstream industries. Early in the month, higher ocean freight rates and elevated upstream costs began pushing CFR offers upward, setting a firm tone for the market. Mid-month, supply from Asian exporters tightened further as regional demand took priority, reducing export allocations and limiting spot availability in the US market. Demand from beverage bottlers was the primary driver of the price increase, as producers of carbonated soft drinks and ready-to-drink beverages accelerated procurement ahead of the summer peak season. Food preservation and personal-care sectors also provided steady support, contributing to sustained baseline consumption. On the supply side, rising benzoic acid and toluene costs increased production expenses, while logistics disruptions, including higher freight rates and extended customs clearance times, added further pressure on landed costs.
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.
