n-Butanol in the US cooled in early May after April strength, as buyers prioritized need-based purchases and sellers trimmed offers amid easing feedstock costs. The market had consolidated in early April after a bullish run, with mid-April activity subdued and supply balanced against steady domestic production. By late April, n-Butanol price offers softened as propylene costs eased and downstream demand cooled, a trend which continued into May. Market sentiment remains cautious, with stable inventories and neutral buying interest underpinning the near-term tone. End-user demand is mixed: n-Butanol coatings-related volumes hold up while purchasing momentum remains soft; coatings formulations and construction-linked applications stay steady, whereas plasticizer demand is notably weak. Supply dynamics reflect feedstock shifts; falling propylene costs reduce n-Butanol production costs, while crude prices provide a floor limiting deeper corrections. Domestic n-Butanol production remains robust with ample inventories, and no outages reported. The outlook suggests relative stability and rangebound movement as buyers reassess forward coverage, unless crude or shipping disruptions spur volatility.
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.
