US sodium bisulfite edged higher in early March after a sharp late-February correction as buyers tested the bottom of a prolonged downtrend. Yet the rebound remained tentative amid tepid downstream demand and ample inventories that kept sellers competitive. Steady import arrivals and a comfortable stock position supported supply-side resilience, while online consumer concerns over sulfite preservatives dampened confidence among formulators and cooled spot inquiries. Demand from personal-care and food formulators stayed soft through February as transparency questions around sulfite preservatives weighed on buying appetite. The February assessment indicated softer levels versus prior, highlighting a structurally weak spot market. Supply remained ample with no raw-material shortages or major logistics issues; producers reported calm operations and uninterrupted flows. Looking ahead, any sustained upturn depends on renewed formulators' confidence and a re-entry into spot markets. Without a demand rebound or tightening supply, prices are expected to remain constrained near recent levels. The rebound will depend on downstream sentiment.
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.
