Acetic acid prices in the United States moved sharply higher in April as supply tightened and restocking accelerated across acetyl value chains. Buyers covered ahead of Gulf Coast turnaround preparations, with inventories described as comfortable but thinning, while late-March outages further constrained availability. Market participants reported sellers closing April order books as downstream buyers increased inquiries, creating a scramble for spot barrels. Upstream feedstock demand and higher energy costs contributed to production cost pressures, underpinning a bullish tone into April. Demand was bifurcated: adhesives and packaging remained solid, while polyurethane consumption softened. Global outages and supply discipline by producers prompted tighter allocations and sustained momentum in vinyl acetate monomer spot inquiries. Looking ahead, the near-term outlook is tilted upward due to persistent supply interruptions, ongoing restocking, and constrained imports. Gulf Coast turnaround activity and continued feedstock costs likely sustain elevated offers, though easing outages or stronger polyurethane demand could temper gains. Market watchers should monitor availability and adjust coverage strategies.
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.
