The US market for isopropyl alcohol experiences a monthly decrease because of the changes in export market activity during the entire month of January 2026. Even though the market is declining, it is also recovering, as shown in the weekly data at the end of the month. This indicates that the market is somewhat stabilizing. The reason for the monthly decline in the US market is the reduced demand from international markets, particularly in Europe and Asia. There was a very active market in late 2025, and in January, purchases were reduced in the spot market.
However, despite all these challenges, the demand for high-purity IPA, which is used in the semiconductor, laboratory, and pharmaceutical markets, still appears to be robust. In fact, the weekly gains point to the fact that stocks are being balanced for exports, and there is some interest from overseas buyers. Overall, the sentiment regarding the US IPA market as we head into February appears to be cautiously optimistic, and market analysts are watching to see whether the demand momentum can continue to support stabilization and, hopefully, price increases in the near future.
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.
