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Isophthalic Acid Price Trend Analysis 2026: Historical Prices, Latest News, Market Insights, Price Drivers & Supply Demand Analysis
Written ByPragati Agarwal
Isophthalic Acid Latest Development
Hormuz Disruption Tightens Global Oil Supply
Strait of Hormuz closure continues to constrain global oil supply, with observed output remaining significantly below year-ago levels. IEA revised its demand forecast downward as inventories fell to multi-decade lows, reinforcing upward price pressure and market volatility.
Isophthalic Acid Price Trend Q2 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isophthalic Acid | China | FOB | USD 862.79/MT | June 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | USA | FOB | USD 1,017.74/MT | June 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | Germany | CIF | USD 984.28/MT | June 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | India | FOB | USD 950.79/MT | June 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | Japan | CIF | USD 917.79/MT | June 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | China | FOB | USD 1,060.47/MT | May 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | USA | FOB | USD 1,179.66/MT | May 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | Germany | CIF | USD 1,153.92/MT | May 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | India | FOB | USD 1,221.26/MT | May 2026 |
| Isophthalic Acid | Japan | CIF | USD 1,288.60/MT | May 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Isophthalic Acid prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
- Global isophthalic acid prices declined in Q2’26 as lower aromatics costs, weaker crude values and cautious downstream buying pressured markets.
- Feedstock support weakened due to falling xylene and crude oil prices, reducing production costs across the aromatic chain.
- Downstream demand remained mixed, with polyester applications providing support while coatings, construction and composite demand stayed cautious.
Asia
Isophthalic Acid prices in China declined to ~RMB 8.85/kg in April and ~RMB 7.18/kg in May, showing a ~18.9% decrease. The market faced pressure from weaker aromatics costs and lower downstream purchasing. Mixed xylene prices declined during May due to sufficient refinery supply and weak demand from polyester, coatings and solvent applications. The decline continued as Chinese xylene prices weakened due to lower crude and naphtha costs, higher inventories and reduced buying activity. PET demand provided temporary support, with bottle-chip consumption improving, but weaker PET resin prices and cautious purchasing later limited isophthalic acid demand. Late-quarter supplier quotations remained relatively stable, but lower feedstock costs and weak polyester market conditions continued to pressure the market.
Europe
European markets were supported initially by higher energy and chemical production costs, with elevated industrial input prices supporting producer offers. However, falling crude oil values reduced aromatics replacement costs later in the quarter, limiting price strength. Demand remained weak from construction-related polyester resin applications, as lower building activity affected coatings, composite panels and roofing products. Automotive demand provided some support through higher vehicle registrations, supporting polyester coatings and composite components, but was insufficient to offset broader weakness.
North America
Isophthalic Acid prices in the United States declined to ~USD 1,382.75/MT in April and ~USD 1,179.66/MT in May, showing a ~14.7% decrease. The market faced pressure from lower crude and aromatics costs, which reduced the cost base for producers and importers. Industrial activity remained moderate, limiting demand growth from resin and composite applications. Construction-supply production improved and automotive output increased, providing some support for coatings, composite panels and reinforced polyester products. However, weaker plastics and rubber-product activity restricted stronger demand recovery.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, isophthalic acid prices are expected to remain stable-to-soft as lower feedstock costs continue to influence the market, while recovery in polyester and composite demand will determine future movements.
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- Global isophthalic acid prices increased during Q1’26, with the sharpest gains in Asia and Europe, while North America remained nearly flat.
- Feedstock pressure was the main upward driver, as crude-linked aromatics and xylene-chain costs strengthened after Iran war-related supply risk and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz lifted energy and freight concerns.
- Downstream demand from resins, coatings, PET, and unsaturated polyester applications supported buying and demand stayed moderate and kept prices range-bound.
Asia
In Asia, isophthalic acid prices rose sharply in Q1’26, supported by higher aromatics feedstock costs and stronger downstream offtake. In China, prices increased from ~USD 930.1/MT in January to ~USD 1,255/MT in March, showing a ~34.93% rise. India followed a similar trend, with prices rising from ~USD 997.3/MT to ~USD 1,310/MT, a ~31.36% increase. Japan also recorded strong gains, as prices moved from ~USD 972.3/MT to ~USD 1,291/MT, up ~32.78%. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure raised crude, freight, and import-cost concerns, which lifted upstream xylene-chain pressure. Demand from PET resins, coatings, and industrial polyester applications helped producers pass on higher costs.
Europe
In Europe, isophthalic acid prices increased strongly during Q1’26. Germany prices rose from ~USD 1,051.8/MT in January to ~USD 1,332/MT in March, recording a ~26.64% increase. The rise was mainly cost-led, with energy-sensitive production, higher freight risk, and tight aromatics-linked feedstock sentiment supporting firm offers. Downstream demand from coatings, alkyd resins, and polyester-based materials remained steady, allowing prices to move upward despite cautious construction-linked consumption.
North America
In North America, isophthalic acid prices remained mostly stable. USA prices increased slightly from ~USD 1,337.4/MT in January to ~USD 1,342/MT in March, showing a ~0.34% rise. Balanced supply and moderate downstream demand limited any sharp movement. Feedstock and freight risks prevented price weakness, but domestic availability kept the market largely range-bound.
About Isophthalic Acid
Isophthalic acid is a benzenedicarboxylic acid with carboxy groups at positions 1 and 3 substituting for benzene. The other two isomers of benzenedicarboxylic acid are phthalic and terephthalic acids, respectively. It's an isophthalate conjugate acid. Isophthalic acid is a white substance that has a mild odor. It Sinks in water.
Isophthalic Acid Product Detail
Chemical Formula
C6H4(CO2H)2
Molecular Weight
166.14 g/mol
Applications
PET Resin, UPR Resin, Polyesters
Synonyms
Benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, meta-Phthalic acid
Supplier Database
Eastman, LOTTE Chemical, Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Indorama, Formosa
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Isophthalic Acid Production Processes
- Production and Isophthalic Acid from Oxidation Process
Isophthalic acid is manufactured from the oxidation of m-xylene. During this phase, p-xylene is oxidised to create isophthalic acid. As an intermediary crude isophthalic acid, the product is split into isophthalic acid (CIA). The CIA is hydrogenated and purified to produce isophthalic acid as the end product.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
About the Author
Pragati Agarwal
Senior Business Insights Analyst
Delivering price trend analysis and procurement market insights at Procurement Resource, with expertise in identifying commodity patterns, supporting purchasing strategies, and improving cost efficiency through actionable market intelligence.
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