Asia Glycols: Prices rise on supply constraints / China inventories drop to 139,000 mt / MTO-to-MEG production turns profitable

Sep 05, 2026

Asian monoethylene glycol prices ended the week higher Sept. 4, supported by tightening regional supply and persistently low inventories. CFR China MEG at $810/metric ton on Sept. 4, up $20/mt day over day. MEG inventories in eastern China stood at 139,000 mt on Sept. 3, down 3,000 mt from a week earlier, according to market sources. Chinese traders said MEG inflows from the Middle East have remained limited over the past six months amid ongoing hostilities involving Iran and the US, while vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz have declined sharply, raising concerns over supply availability. At the same time, CFR China MEG prices have remained above $600/mt for the past six weeks, improving margins for methanol- to-olefins producers. Market participants said MTO-to-MEG economics have turned profitable after remaining...

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