Unsaturated polyester resin prices in China declined during the first half of May 2026 due to falling feedstock costs, weak downstream demand, and bearish market sentiment. Lower ethylene glycol, maleic anhydride, and n-butane prices reduced production costs, while easing US-Iran tensions weakened crude oil premiums. Demand from construction, fiberglass, and manufacturing sectors remained sluggish, limiting procurement activity for unsaturated polyester resin. Downstream operating rates also declined, with buyers purchasing only for immediate needs. Despite some maintenance shutdowns, overall supply remained sufficient, increasing market competition and discounting pressure. Looking ahead, weak demand and stable supply are expected to keep unsaturated polyester resin prices under pressure.
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.
