The Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Q3 2026 showed a broad decline across major global markets, driven by weak downstream demand, comfortable inventories, and strong competition among Asian exporters. South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, and India experienced downward price pressure as manufacturers of unsaturated polyester resins

PET bottle resins, and coatings reduced fresh purchases during the summer and monsoon slowdown. Lower-priced Asian export offers added further pressure to international prices.

However, higher crude oil and mixed xylene costs provided some support to the market amid renewed geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions in the Middle East. In September 2026, prices recovered in several markets as feedstock expenses and freight costs increased, while some buyers began restocking ahead of seasonal demand. 

Taiwan, Spain, and India's domestic market remained weaker because ample inventories and slow purchasing limited the recovery. These developments shaped the global Isophthalic Acid Price Chart and influenced the Isophthalic Acid Price Index across regions.

Isophthalic Acid Market Overview in Q3 2026

Isophthalic acid is an important chemical raw material used in unsaturated polyester resins, coatings, PET-related applications, and specialty polymer production. Its prices are influenced by feedstock costs, production availability, international trade, freight rates, and demand from downstream manufacturing industries.

During Q3 2026, the market moved away from the high prices seen during the previous quarter. Many buyers continued using inventories accumulated during earlier supply concerns instead of placing new orders. This reduced spot purchasing activity and forced exporters to offer more competitive prices to maintain sales.

Asian suppliers faced particularly strong competition, with Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese material competing for buyers across several importing regions. Lower export offers from South Korea also affected import prices in markets such as India, Indonesia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the USA.

September brought a different trend in several countries. Higher crude oil and mixed xylene costs raised production and replacement costs, while freight and insurance expenses increased on some shipping routes. Restocking activity also improved in selected markets. Nevertheless, the recovery was uneven, as countries with high inventories or weak downstream demand continued to experience price pressure.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in South Korea

South Korea's export prices on an FOB Busan basis declined by 13.72% in Q3 2026 compared with the previous quarter. The decline reflected weaker buying interest across Asia and the gradual unwinding of price premiums established during the earlier supply disruption.

Manufacturers of unsaturated polyester resins, PET bottle resins, and powder coatings had used stocks accumulated during the spring. Korean producers maintained relatively steady operating rates, while export enquiries remained slow during July and August. The combination of comfortable availability and limited purchasing encouraged suppliers to reduce offers.

Although crude oil and mixed xylene costs remained firm, the support from feedstock prices was insufficient to offset weak demand. As a result, the Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in South Korea remained bearish for much of the quarter.

In September, South Korean prices recovered by 6.0% month on month. Higher crude oil prices and increased aromatics costs supported export offers, while some Asian buyers returned to the market to replenish stocks. This recovery suggested that rising replacement costs could provide short-term support even when demand remained selective.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Taiwan

Taiwan recorded the steepest quarterly decline among the markets covered, with FOB Kaohsiung export prices falling by 19.54% in Q3 2026.

Taiwanese producers faced intense competition from suppliers in South Korea and China. To maintain plant operations and remain competitive in export markets, sellers reduced their offers. At the same time, buyers in PET bottle resin and unsaturated polyester resin manufacturing delayed purchases and continued relying on existing inventories.

The high prices recorded in Q2 made the subsequent correction more pronounced. Even though crude oil and aromatics costs increased later in the quarter, the impact of higher production costs was outweighed by ample supply and weak buying interest.

In September, Taiwan's prices declined by a further 0.7% month on month. This showed that the recovery seen in other markets had not spread uniformly across the region. Continued competition and readily available material kept the Taiwanese market under pressure.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Japan

Japan's FOB Tokyo export prices declined by 13.75% in Q3 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Lower-priced Korean and Taiwanese material increased competition in Southeast Asian and Indian markets, encouraging Japanese exporters to adjust their offers.

Domestic demand from coatings, unsaturated polyester resins, and specialty polymer producers remained modest during the summer. Buyers continued using inventories built during Q2, reducing the need for fresh orders. This combination of weak demand and regional competition kept Japanese export prices under pressure.

In September, prices increased by 2.2% month on month. Firmer crude oil and aromatics costs supported higher offers, while some Asian buyers began limited restocking. The monthly improvement indicated a partial recovery, although the overall quarterly trend remained negative.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Spain

Spain's FOB Barcelona export prices declined by 11.51% in Q3 2026. European demand from unsaturated polyester resin, PET packaging, and coatings manufacturers remained weak, while the summer holiday slowdown further reduced purchasing activity in August.

Spanish exporters also faced competition from lower-priced Asian material in Mediterranean and Latin American markets. To maintain export sales, suppliers came under pressure to offer more competitive prices.

In September, prices fell by another 1.5% month on month. Higher energy and aromatics costs were unable to offset sluggish post-summer demand and comfortable inventories across the European resin sector. Spain therefore remained one of the markets where the expected recovery was limited.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in China

China's FOB Shanghai export prices recorded a comparatively moderate decline of 3.44% in Q3 2026. Domestic consumption from PET bottle resin and unsaturated polyester resin manufacturers helped absorb local production and limited the scale of the price correction.

However, heavy summer rains and slower construction activity reduced buying interest during July and August. Construction-related demand is important for several resin and coating applications, so weaker activity contributed to cautious procurement and slightly lower prices.

In September, Chinese prices rose by 7.5% month on month. Higher crude oil and mixed xylene costs supported supplier offers, while restocking ahead of the National Day holiday increased purchasing activity. Compared with Taiwan and South Korea, China's smaller quarterly decline and stronger September rebound reflected relatively supportive domestic demand.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Brazil

Brazil's CIF Santos import prices for South Korean material declined by 4.80% in Q3 2026. Lower Korean export offers reduced replacement costs for Brazilian importers, but high long-distance freight and war-risk insurance expenses limited the decline in landed prices.

Demand from unsaturated polyester resin manufacturers serving the fibreglass, marine, and construction industries remained moderate. Importers also held adequate stocks, reducing the urgency to place new orders.

In September, Brazilian prices increased by 9.2% month on month. Firmer Korean offers, higher bunker costs, and restocking by resin producers ahead of the southern hemisphere building season supported the recovery. The Brazilian market demonstrated how changes in freight and international supplier prices can influence landed costs even when local demand is not particularly strong.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's CIF Jeddah import prices for South Korean material declined by 9.62% in Q3 2026. Lower Korean export prices reduced import costs, while resin and coating manufacturers continued using inventories accumulated during Q2.

Shipping uncertainty also influenced the market. Concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and risks to regional shipping routes encouraged cautious booking decisions, with buyers considering freight availability and insurance costs when arranging cargoes.

In September, Saudi Arabian prices increased by 10.0% month on month. Higher freight and insurance expenses, alongside firmer construction-related resin demand, supported the increase. The movement showed that import prices can rise even after a weak quarter when shipping costs and regional supply risks intensify.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in the USA

The USA recorded one of the smallest quarterly declines, with CIF Houston import prices for South Korean material falling by just 1.85% in Q3 2026.

Lower Korean export offers were largely offset by elevated trans-Pacific freight and insurance charges. Demand from unsaturated polyester resin producers serving boat building, bathware, and corrosion-resistant pipe applications also supported import values.

In September, US prices increased by 7.3% month on month. Higher Korean export offers, firmer shipping costs, and restocking by resin and coatings manufacturers ahead of Q4 contributed to the recovery. The relatively small quarterly decline indicated that transportation expenses and steady downstream consumption helped protect US import prices from the larger falls experienced in several Asian markets.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in Indonesia

Indonesia's CIF Jakarta import prices for South Korean material declined by 13.37% in Q3 2026. Lower Korean export prices passed through into Indonesian landed values, while comparatively less exposure to the Middle East shipping disruption limited some of the freight-related support seen in other markets.

PET bottle resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and coatings producers purchased mainly to meet immediate requirements. This cautious approach kept the market well supplied and reduced pressure on import prices.

In September, Indonesian prices increased by 5.6% month on month. Firmer Korean offers, higher crude oil and aromatics costs, and replenishment by PET resin producers ahead of year-end beverage packaging demand supported the improvement. However, the quarterly decline showed that the market had remained under pressure for much of the period.

Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in India

India's CIF Nhava Sheva import prices for South Korean material declined by 12.11% in Q3 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Lower Korean export offers and healthy importer inventories from Q2 weighed on landed prices.

Demand from unsaturated polyester resin, PET resin, and paint manufacturers softened during the monsoon period. Reduced construction and painting activity limited fresh procurement, encouraging buyers to rely on existing material rather than commit to large new orders.

In September, Indian import prices increased by 5.4% month on month. Higher Korean offers, increased freight and insurance expenses on affected shipping routes, and post-monsoon purchasing by resin and coatings producers ahead of the festive season supported the rebound.

The wider Indian market remained mixed. Although import prices recovered in September, domestic prices did not show the same strength because ample inventories and sluggish buying continued to limit the improvement. This difference highlights the importance of separating import benchmarks from domestic market conditions when assessing the Isophthalic Acid Price Trend in India.

Isophthalic Acid Price Chart and Price Index Analysis

The Isophthalic Acid Price Chart for Q3 2026 showed a clear pattern of quarterly declines followed by a partial September recovery in many markets. Taiwan recorded the largest quarterly fall at 19.54%, while South Korea and Japan each declined by around 14%. Indonesia and India also experienced double-digit quarterly decreases.

By comparison, China's prices fell by only 3.44%, and US import prices declined by just 1.85%. These differences reflected varying demand conditions, competition from alternative origins, and the effect of freight and insurance costs on landed prices.

The Isophthalic Acid Price Index was shaped by several competing influences. Weak downstream demand and high inventories pushed prices lower, while higher crude oil and mixed xylene costs provided some support. September's recovery in South Korea, China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Indonesia, and India reflected stronger offers and renewed purchasing in these markets.

Taiwan and Spain remained exceptions, as continuing competition and weak buying limited the recovery. For procurement teams, comparing the price chart across export and import markets can help distinguish changes in supplier pricing from changes in freight, insurance, and local demand.

Key Factors Affecting the Isophthalic Acid Price Trend

Downstream Demand and Inventory Levels

Demand from unsaturated polyester resin, PET bottle resin, coatings, and specialty polymer manufacturers played a major role in the Q3 price decline. Many buyers used existing inventories rather than purchasing additional material. This reduced fresh enquiries and encouraged suppliers to lower prices.

Crude Oil and Mixed Xylene Costs

Crude oil and mixed xylene are important cost influences in the broader aromatic chemical chain. Higher feedstock costs provided some support during September, but their effect was limited when downstream demand remained weak. The balance between production costs and buying interest determined the extent of the price recovery in each region.

Competition Among Asian Exporters

Competition between South Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese suppliers affected prices in both exporting and importing countries. Lower-priced offers increased pressure on other suppliers and contributed to the quarterly declines in several markets. Buyers benefited from greater choice, while exporters faced pressure to remain competitive.

Freight, Insurance, and Shipping Risks

Transportation costs affected import markets differently. Long-distance freight and war-risk insurance limited the decline in Brazil, while shipping concerns raised landed costs in the USA and Saudi Arabia. These factors demonstrate that import prices depend on more than the export price alone.

Seasonal Demand and Restocking

Summer holidays and monsoon conditions reduced demand in several markets during July and August. In September, some buyers resumed purchasing ahead of seasonal construction activity, festive demand, or year-end packaging requirements. This restocking supported price increases in a number of countries.

Isophthalic Acid Price Forecast and Market Outlook

The outlook for Isophthalic Acid Price Forecast depends on downstream resin demand, inventory levels, feedstock costs, exporter competition, and international shipping conditions. Q3 2026 demonstrated that prices can decline even when crude oil and mixed xylene costs remain elevated, particularly when buyers have sufficient inventory and postpone fresh orders.

If resin, coatings, and PET-related demand improves, suppliers may gain more pricing power. Higher freight and feedstock expenses could also support offers, especially in import-dependent markets. However, ample inventories and continued competition among Asian exporters may limit further increases where purchasing activity remains weak.

Regional performance is likely to remain different because countries depend on different supply origins and face different freight costs. Buyers should monitor the Isophthalic Acid Price Trend, Isophthalic Acid Prices, Isophthalic Acid Price Chart, and Isophthalic Acid Price Index alongside origin-specific export prices and local inventory conditions. This combined view can help manufacturers and procurement teams evaluate price changes and plan purchasing decisions more effectively.

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About Price Watch™

Price Watch™ is an India-based, independent raw material price reporting agency that provides real-time price forecasts and data-driven insights into global raw material markets. Price Watch™ specializes in tracking raw material prices, analyzing market trends, and delivering timely updates on plant shutdowns, supply disruptions, capacity expansions, and demand-supply dynamics. The Price Watch™ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watch™ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.

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