US cumene market firmed into mid-February as late-January supply disruptions and firmer benzene values tightened the near-term balance. After a post-holiday lull and a mid-January softness, activity rebounded as Gulf Coast outages disrupted supply. By early February the market appeared balanced with a bullish tone as downstream buyers, notably integrated phenol and acetone producers, secured feedstock ahead of spring turnarounds. Seasonal maintenance and stronger benzene intake for gasoline blending supported cautious buying. Demand across end markets remained mixed but broadly supportive of spot cumene, with phenol and acetone demand driving feedstock allocation; coatings, plastics and resins remained steady. Weather-driven outages and feedstock moves shaped supply dynamics as rising benzene costs pressured producers while propylene movements offered relief. Severe winter storms caused Gulf Coast disruptions, lifting spot assessments in the short term. The outlook is mixed: a modest near-term dip anticipated, followed by possible recovery later in spring, contingent on weather, feedstock swings, and regional imports.
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.
