China
United Arab Emirates
India
Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
Bangladesh
Turkey
Vietnam
South KoreaAccording to PriceWatch, in the Chinese market, the price trend of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) with 99.9% purity experienced a decline of approximately 3.7% in the second quarter of 2025. The product was evaluated at USD 621 per metric ton on a FOB Shanghai basis. The PTA market exhibited weakness due to a lack of demand from the polyester and PET sectors. The trend in PTA prices demonstrated a steady downward trajectory throughout April, May, and June.
According to PriceWatch, in the Chinese market, the prices of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) with 99.9% purity experienced a decline of approximately 3.7% in the second quarter of 2025. The product was evaluated at USD 621 per metric ton on a FOB Shanghai basis. The PTA market exhibited weakness due to a lack of demand from the polyester and PET sectors.
The trend in PTA prices demonstrated a steady downward trajectory throughout April, May, and June. The PTA price chart reflected a soft market tone, showing no indications of a potential rebound. Buyers postponed procurement due to cautious sentiment and sluggish demand for finished goods.
Feedstock Paraxylene prices were decreased, which lowered production costs and affected the market of PTA. Inventory levels remained adequate across major storage hubs. Sellers gradually adjusted their offers to generate interest in a market that was moving slowly. The price chart indicated a lack of momentum. The market may continue to face pressure in the third quarter unless there is an improvement in polyester production.
In Q1 2025, the Purified Terephthalate Acid (PTA) 99.9% purity market exhibited signs of marginal stabilization, with prices edging slightly lower to around 644 USD/MT FOB Shanghai (China), reflecting only a 0.37% decline from the previous quarter. This relatively flat movement signaled that the market was approaching a demand-supply equilibrium.
Polyester production gradually resumed post the Lunar New Year break, and the raw material cost curve showed signs of flattening. However, with macroeconomic uncertainties and only modest recovery in end-use industries like textiles and bottling, buyers remained cautious, preferring short-term contracts over bulk procurements.
In Q4 2024, PTA 99.9% purity prices in China continued their downward trajectory, declining by 8.58% to approximately 647 USD/MT FOB Shanghai. The ongoing weakness in feedstock PX prices and lackluster downstream performance across polyester yarns and fibers played a key role in the decline.
Furthermore, the year-end inventory management cycle and seasonal slowdown in textile manufacturing contributed to reduced purchasing activity. Despite some support from stabilized energy markets, subdued export orders and high stockpiles kept prices from rebounding.
In Q3 2024, the Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) 99.9% purity market in China faced significant downward pressure, with prices falling sharply to around 708 USD/MT FOB Shanghai, marking a 10.21% decline from the previous quarter. This drop was primarily attributed to plummeting crude oil values, which affected the cost structure of PTA feedstocks such as Paraxylene (PX).
Additionally, sluggish polyester demand, especially from the textile and packaging sectors, further impacted PTA offtake. The market was also burdened by oversupply from domestic producers, as new capacities came online amidst already tepid demand.
In Q2 2024, the global PTA 99.9% purity market exhibited mixed trends, with China and India experiencing a bearish price movement, while South Korea and Europe saw a bullish trend. The downturn in China and India was attributed to lower feedstock costs, weak demand from sectors such as PET, polyester films, textiles, and packaging, coupled with ample supply.
High financing costs and decreased consumer spending are further depressed demand. Conversely, in Europe and South Korea, rising demand from downstream industries, particularly textiles and packaging, alongside increasing energy costs, labor expenses, and raw material prices, prompted producers to raise PTA prices to sustain profitability.
In Q1 2024, the global Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) 99.9% purity market displayed mixed trends, influenced by rising prices of Paraxylene and Acetic acid, alongside strong demand from sectors like PET, polyester films, textiles, and packaging. However, prices fell in China, Belgium, and Germany due to ample supply in China, where new production capacity and high operating rates led to increased inventories and weakened demand.
The European PTA market faced weak demand from downstream industries, particularly the Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester sectors. This led to lower operating rates and reduced consumption of PTA. In contrast, South Korea and India saw price increases, fueled by heightened consumer demand during the Lunar New Year festivities.
In Q1 2025, the PTA 99.9% purity market showed early signs of recovery, with prices edging up to 858 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai, reflecting a 1.93% increase over the previous quarter. This mild rebound was driven by a gradual revival in demand post-year end and pre-budget stockpiling by converters.
The feedstock scenario also stabilized, with Paraxylene and Acetic Acid availability improving, which supported balanced production rates. However, overall sentiment remained cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainties and expectations of only a modest demand recovery in Q2.
According to PriceWatch, in the Indian market, the prices of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) with 99.9% purity experienced a decline of approximately 4.9% in the second quarter of 2025. The product was evaluated at USD 816 per metric ton Ex-Mumbai. The PTA market exhibited a softening trend due to diminished demand from the polyester fiber and resin industries. Throughout April, May, and June, the PTA price trend remained negative.
The PTA price chart indicated a consistent downward trajectory, influenced by sluggish industrial activity. Buyers restricted their purchases considering high inventory levels and weak end-use consumption. Import parity decreased because of falling global benchmarks.
Prices for feedstock Paraxylene also remained weak, adding further pressure on costs. Spot trading activity diminished due to a decrease in buying momentum. The price chart showed no indications of a short-term recovery. The market may continue to be subdued in the third quarter unless there is a significant increase in polyester demand.
Q1 2024, the Indian Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) 99.9% purity market recorded a modest upward movement, with prices averaging 1040 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai, up by 2.56% from the previous quarter. This increase was supported by stable demand from the polyester and textile sectors, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming festive production cycles. The firm sentiment was also linked to slight tightening in feedstock supply chains, particularly for Paraxylene, which is a key upstream material for PTA.
In Q2 2024, PTA 99.9% purity prices witnessed a correction, declining to 997 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai, marking a 4.19% drop. The decline was attributed to weakening demand in polyester yarn and film manufacturing, along with ample availability of PTA inventories in the domestic market. Additionally, softened global crude oil prices during the period impacted feedstock economics, easing upstream cost pressures.
In Q3 2024, with PTA 99.9% purity prices dipping further to 956 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai, a 4.05% decline from Q2. A combination of monsoon-related disruptions reduced industrial activity, and export market uncertainty further subdued domestic procurement. Despite stable operations at most PTA production units, oversupply conditions weighed heavily on prices.
In Q4 2024, PTA 99.9% purity prices plunged sharply to 842 USD/MT Ex-Mumbai, registering a steep 12.00% decline. The drop was primarily due to excess inventories, muted demand from the polyester segment, and competitive import alternatives, especially from countries like China and South Korea.
Furthermore, the slowdown at the end of the year, along with reduced seasonal textile production, contributed to a continued suppression of downstream demand. Market players adopted a cautious procurement strategy, further intensifying price pressure.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a white crystalline powder used primarily as a raw material for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and polyester fibres. Produced from paraxylene, PTA is essential in textiles, packaging, and automotive industries. Recent advancements include bio-based PTA alternatives, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact in manufacturing processes.
Packaging Type
Purified Terephthalic Acid Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification  |
| Appearance  | White free flowing crystalline powder  |
| Water content  | 0.15-0.2 wt% |
| Acid number  | 675 ± 2 mg KOH/gm |
| Ash content  | 6-8 wt ppm  |
| Total Heavy Metal Content  | <3 wt ppm |
| Iron (Fe) Content | <1mg/kg |
Purified Terephthalic Acid Industrial Applications
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a vital raw material with diverse applications. It is primarily used in the production of polyester fibres for textiles, which constitutes about 65% of its consumption. PTA is also crucial for manufacturing PET resin, especially for packaging applications like plastic bottles (27% usage). Additionally, it is utilized in polyester films, automotive components, and home furnishings, as well as in various resins and copolymers. This versatility makes PTA essential across multiple industries, driving significant demand.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global purified terephthalic acid price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the purified terephthalic acid market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence purified terephthalic acid prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely purified terephthalic acid market data.
Track PriceWatch's purified terephthalic acid price assessment on a weekly basis since 2015 onwards, along with short-term forecasts, and get access to the detailed report in a downloadable format.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable PTA pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a white crystalline powder used primarily as a raw material for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and polyester fibres. Produced from paraxylene, PTA is essential in textiles, packaging, and automotive industries. Recent advancements include bio-based PTA alternatives, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact in manufacturing processes.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification  |
| Appearance  | White free flowing crystalline powder  |
| Water content  | 0.15-0.2 wt% |
| Acid number  | 675 ± 2 mg KOH/gm |
| Ash content  | 6-8 wt ppm  |
| Total Heavy Metal Content  | <3 wt ppm |
| Iron (Fe) Content | <1mg/kg |
Applications
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a vital raw material with diverse applications. It is primarily used in the production of polyester fibres for textiles, which constitutes about 65% of its consumption. PTA is also crucial for manufacturing PET resin, especially for packaging applications like plastic bottles (27% usage). Additionally, it is utilized in polyester films, automotive components, and home furnishings, as well as in various resins and copolymers. This versatility makes PTA essential across multiple industries, driving significant demand.
The pricing of PTA is influenced by several key factors, including fluctuations in raw material costs (especially Paraxylene and Ethylene), production capacity and operational rates, global supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical events. Additionally, market conditions in downstream sectors, such as textiles and packaging, significantly impact PTA pricing trends.
The textile industry is a major consumer of PTA, accounting for a significant portion of its demand for polyester production. When the textile sector experiences growth, it drives up the demand for PTA, which can lead to increased prices. Conversely, a slowdown in the textile market can result in reduced PTA demand and lower prices. Monitoring trends in textile production is crucial for anticipating PTA price movements.
Global supply chain stability is crucial for PTA pricing as disruptions can lead to shortages or excess inventory in the market. Events such as natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, or trade restrictions can impact the availability of raw materials and transportation logistics. Procurement heads should assess supply chain risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential price volatility in PTA.
