The price of ethylene oxide will soar in September 2026. As of September 24th, the average market price of epoxyethane in China was 9700 yuan/ton, a significant increase of 27.63% compared to the market average price of 7600 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month (9.1).
On September 24, 2026, the mainstream market ex factory listing prices for ethylene oxide in various regions of China are as follows: the ethylene oxide market in East China is priced at 9200-9700 yuan/ton for external transactions; The listed price of ethylene oxide in the South China market is 9600-9700 yuan/ton; The listed price of ethylene oxide in North China is 9500 yuan/ton; The listed price of ethylene oxide in the central China market is 10100 yuan/ton.
Reasons for the significant increase in ethylene oxide prices in September 2026
The price of ethylene oxide surged in September, reaching a new high for the year; The main reason is the conversion of the co production unit to ethylene glycol, which has led to a proactive reduction in the production of ethylene oxide. In addition, the maintenance of the unit, the increase in ethylene costs, and the replenishment during the peak season of Jinjiu have also been combined.
Specifically, on the supply side, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol are part of the same ethylene oxidation unit, and product selectivity can be adjusted to allocate production between the two. In early September, ethylene glycol was driven by the Middle East region and low inventory, resulting in significantly better profits than ethylene oxide; The refinery actively adjusted the process to produce more ethylene glycol and less commodity ethylene oxide, directly causing a rapid decrease in the supply of ethylene oxide in the market. At present, the industry’s operating rate is only 51.8%, which is at a relatively low level; It’s not a shutdown of the equipment, but a switch in product structure, which compresses the production of ethylene oxide, shrinks the circulation of spot goods, and rapidly depletes inventory. From the perspective of device status, multiple sets of ethylene oxide supporting devices are undergoing centralized maintenance, resulting in a loss of ethylene oxide production capacity. Upstream ethylene prices have risen by over 20% from August to September due to disturbances from crude oil and imports from the Middle East. The cost of raw materials for ethylene oxide factories that extract ethylene has also increased, forcing some ethylene extraction companies to reduce their production and further decrease their ethylene oxide output. Part of the MTO route’s ethylene oxide plant has been hindered by the rise in methanol prices, resulting in limited operation.
On the demand side, during the peak season of September, individual water reducing agents are the main driving force. Downstream polycarboxylate superplasticizer monomers (infrastructure/concrete), non-ionic surfactants, ethanolamine, polyether, ethylene glycol ether, etc. In September, the construction of infrastructure will be rushed, and the monomer production of polycarboxylate superplasticizer will increase and actively replenish, which is the main incremental demand for ethylene oxide; The monomer itself also increases in price synchronously, accepting high priced ethylene oxide raw materials; Ethanolamine production remains at a high level; Stable demand for daily necessities and daily necessities; There is a fear of price increases in downstream stocking, amplifying spot grabbing, and pushing up the listing price (Sinopec has repeatedly raised the listing price for ethylene oxide). However, there is structural differentiation and weak downstream transmission, and new orders placed at high prices are gradually cautious, which is also a constraint on the weak rise of ethylene oxide in the future.
On the cost side, the situation in the Middle East has pushed up the costs of crude oil and ethylene, causing the entire ethylene industry chain to shift upwards; At the same time, the market’s risk appetite has risen, the overall valuation of chemical products has increased, and the sharp rise in ethylene glycol has driven the sentiment of the entire ethylene oxide industry chain.
Forecast of the future market for ethylene oxide

Short term high volatility of ethylene oxide, with limited room for further upward movement. The main reason is that the supply gap caused by the switching of co production units is difficult to quickly repair in the short term, the peak season for water reducing agents is still ongoing, the inventory of spot goods is low, and Sinopec has a strong willingness to raise prices through listing; If the Middle East continues to experience geopolitical turbulence and ethylene continues to strengthen, there is still a chance for ethylene oxide to pulse. However, ethylene glycol has started to decline, and the profit of ethylene glycol has fallen, which will weaken the motivation of the plant to continue to “reduce production of ethylene oxide and fully produce ethylene glycol”; The high price of ethylene oxide has suppressed downstream demand, and the marginal demand for end use concrete of water reducing agents has weakened. The willingness to purchase goods at high prices has decreased, and negative feedback from downstream is gradually emerging.