Phenolic resin prices in the USA extended their upward momentum into early May 2026 as tightening prompt availability and rising upstream costs supported firmer supplier offers across the domestic market. Market sentiment strengthened steadily through late April and early May as producers faced higher phenol and formaldehyde input costs alongside lower spot availability from Gulf Coast facilities undergoing compliance-related inspections. Phenolic resin suppliers largely prioritized contractual commitments, while spot buyers encountered increasingly limited prompt cargoes, reinforcing the bullish market tone during the review period.
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.
