Asian Solvent-MX Prices Rise on Supply

Asian Solvent-MX: Prices rise on tighter supplies heard / Producers switch to cracking light naphtha, reducing BTX yields / SE Asia availability tight; producers hold back supplies for term buyers

Jun 13, 2026

Asian solvent-grade mixed xylene up $6/ mt week over week at $665/mt FOB Korea on Aug. 22, reflecting the intraday value and in line with tradable indications heard at $660-$690/mt. Trading activity remained thin, with no bids or offers heard during the Market on Close assessment process. A Southeast Asia-based distributor said, “Due to poor BTX (benzene, toluene, xylenes) margins, producers are switching to crack light naphtha instead, which lowers BTX yields and tightens solvent-MX supply.” Traders in Southeast Asia echoed similar views on tightening supply, noting limited cargo availability from South Korea. In related markets, the toluene FOB Korea marker rose $14.50/ mt week over week to $693.50/mt on Aug. 22, while the isomer- MX FOB Korea marker increased $6.50/mt over the same period to $690.50/mt. In Southeast Asia,...

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