Chemicals Updates

Asian PVC: Prices fall across the board on weak downstream demand / India expected to buy more before customs duty exemption expires: sources / China inventory high, downstream buying slow

May 20, 2026

The Asian polyvinyl chloride market was down week over week May 13, with prices falling across the board amid weak downstream demand and high inventory levels. ethylene-based PVC FOB China down $30/ metric ton week over week at $790/mt May 13; carbide-based PVC was assessed $15/mt lower week over week at $750/mt FOB China. "There are some export transactions, but not too many," a Chinese producer said, highlighting the sluggish export demand. "It is expected that India will buy another round in May, because the policy of eliminating import customs duty will expire on June 30," a Chinese trader said. "Currently, the export pressure is still relatively large," a second Chinese producer said. "The operating rate of the ethylene-based PVC has dropped so much, but the market has not yet...

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