Extraction Economics Shift

As the premium for gasoline over chemicals narrows, more refiners are expected to restart extraction units to supply the styrene and phenol sectors. This transition will gradually replenish the critically low industrial benzene inventories.

Downstream Cautiousness

Chemical buyers are holding off on large-volume orders, anticipating that the peace deal will lead to further price declines. This 'wait-and-see' approach is temporarily starving the spot market of liquidity.