US potassium sorbate prices extended their upward trajectory in May 2026, building on the firm sentiment seen in April. The May market remained supported by a combination of strong seasonal demand, higher freight costs, and persistent cost pressures across key inputs. Importers faced continued tightness on the Shanghai–Houston shipping route, where elevated container rates and limited vessel availability kept landed costs high and reinforced bullish pricing expectations. Demand from core end-use sectors such as bakery, dairy, beverages, and nutraceutical gummies stayed resilient as manufacturers continued pre-summer stock building. Many buyers prioritized securing inventory ahead of peak production cycles, which further tightened spot availability. At the same time, stable sorbic acid production in Asia was offset by controlled export allocations, while higher caustic potash costs sustained elevated conversion expenses for producers.
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.
