Chemical Updates

Asian isomer mixed xylene / Crude gains on US-Iran supply concerns / China demand stays weak despite firm crude / Asian Iso-MX Daily Rationale

Jul 18, 2026

Asian isomer-grade mixed xylene at $922/ metric ton FOB Korea on July 17, up $1/mt day over day, while the CFR Taiwan and CFR China markers closed at $943/mt and $926/ mt, respectively, tracking the FOB Korea marker. Crude oil futures were higher in Asian midafternoon trading on July 17, as continuing hostilities between the US and Iran raised concerns about supply disruptions. At 3:03 pm Singapore time (0703 GMT), the ICE September Brent crude oil futures contract rose 21 cents/barrel (0.3%) from the previous close to $84.44/b, while the NYMEX August light sweet crude contract increased 52 cents/b (0.7%) to $79.47/b. The isomer-MX market was steady to slightly firmer, supported by a trade heard done at $925/mt for the H2 August loading laycan. the September laycan at $919/mt, based...

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