Paraxylene price data help put the polyester chain and relevant packaging- and polyester-related applications into context and give a clearer read on downstream price developments.
Paraxylene (PX) is an aromatic hydrocarbon from the xylene group.
It is largely oxidised to purified terephthalic acid (PTA) – the central precursor of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).
For procurement, pricing, and commercial teams, paraxylene prices are particularly relevant because they set the cost base of the entire PET and polyester chain.
Paraxylene flows largely into the polyester chain: via PTA and – together with MEG – into PET for bottles, film and trays, and into polyester fibres.
Via PTA it also serves as a precursor for PBT (technical moulded parts, E&E); a further share is used as a petrol blending component. Paraxylene is therefore closely tied to beverage and food packaging as well as to textiles.
Paraxylene stands at the start of the PET and polyester value chains. The combination of contract and spot references makes the raw material especially important for cost models, price adjustment mechanisms, and market monitoring.
Raw material and price logic
As an aromatic, paraxylene links refinery and reformer economics with demand from PTA and PET. The result is price movements that become visible in packaging and textiles.
PET precursor: via PTA, paraxylene is the starting material for PET and polyester fibres.
Contract and spot perspective: several transaction types allow different trading logics to be compared.
Downstream relevance: movements feed into PET packaging and polyester.
Market relevance
Paraxylene prices are relevant for companies that purchase, cost or have to allow for PET- and polyester-related materials in price negotiations.
Procurement: teams can factor price movements into their purchasing plans at an early stage.
Pricing: price series support structured discussions on material costs and price adjustment mechanisms.
Controlling: price histories help document cost assumptions in a traceable way.
Analysis in pricenxt
In pricenxt, paraxylene price data can be analysed in a structured way using configurable filters, interactive charts, and boards.
Variant comparison: different price series can be set against one another in a single chart.
Period analysis: you choose the observation period freely and add trend lines or regressions.
Saving to boards: relevant analyses can be saved as a card on a board and shared.
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For paraxylene, pricenxt brings together the available price series — each with frequency, data history, region, transaction type, delivery terms, and forecast availability.
Type
Frequency
Region
Trade type
Delivery term
Data since
Forecast
ParaxyleneParaxylene (PX) is an aromatic and the precursor for PTA, and thus for PET and polyester fibres. Western European contract series with a long price history.
monthly
Western Europe
Contract
CIF ARA
10/2004
–No forecast
ParaxyleneParaxylene (PX) is an aromatic and the precursor for PTA, and thus for PET and polyester fibres. Western European spot quotation – responds faster than the contract series.
weekly
Western Europe
Spot
CIF ARA
01/2010
–No forecast
ParaxyleneParaxylene (PX) is an aromatic and the precursor for PTA, and thus for PET and polyester fibres. Material produced locally in China, traded spot on the domestic market.