The Logistical Lag

It will take at least 15-20 days for the first Iranian methanol tankers to reach Chinese ports. In the meantime, coastal Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO) plants are being forced to pay record prices for limited inland supply.

Downstream Margin Squeeze

Plastics and synthetic rubber producers are seeing their margins evaporate as feedstock costs outpace finished product prices. This is creating a 'price ceiling' that may eventually trigger run-rate reductions.