2026-04-18 Advanced Materials Price Trend Daily Report

## 2026-04-18 Advanced Materials Price Trend Daily Report

### Price Overview

| Material | Current Price Range | WoW Change | Trend |
|———-|——————-|————|——-|
| PTFE Resin | 50,000-54,000 RMB/ton | Flat | 🟢 Stable |
| PEEK Resin (Domestic) | 500-700 RMB/kg | Flat | 🟢 Stable |
| PEEK Resin (Imported) | 800-1,000 RMB/kg | Flat | 🟢 Stable |
| Carbon Fiber (T700) | 70,000-85,000 RMB/ton | +5,000 RMB/ton | 🔴 Rising |
| PI Film (6051) | 180-350 RMB/kg | Flat | 🟢 Stable |
| Alumina (Ceramic-grade) | 2,678-2,774 RMB/ton | -14% vs March peak | 🟡 Declining |

### Macro Environment

**Crude Oil**: As of April 15, Brent crude at $94.93/bbl, WTI at $91.29/bbl. Month-over-month: Brent -5.27%, WTI -2.36%. Year-to-date: Brent +56.26%, WTI +59.26%. Middle East geopolitical risks (Strait of Hormuz blockade concerns) remain the primary uncertainty. Oil maintains a high-volatility consolidation pattern. Major agencies have significantly lowered 2026 global crude inventory forecasts, suggesting tight supply will persist.

### Key Movements

**Carbon Fiber: +~5,000 RMB/ton (+6-7%)**
Jilin Chemical Fiber announced a uniform 5,000 RMB/ton increase across all carbon fiber specifications in early April, driven by Middle East tensions and rising energy costs. On the demand side, China’s 2026 carbon fiber demand has grown 20%+ YoY, with new energy vehicles, aerospace, and high-end equipment sectors driving sustained strength. Bidirectional supply-demand pressure pushing prices higher.

**Alumina: -14% (from March 19 peak of 3,136 RMB/ton to ~2,695 RMB/ton)**
After a March rally, alumina has pulled back notably. As of April 17, Western Australia FOB alumina at $306/ton, equivalent to ~2,678 RMB/ton at Chinese ports — already below the domestic index price. Increased domestic supply and favorable import pricing are cooling market sentiment.

**DIC Epoxy Resin Price Increase (Correlation Signal)**
Global specialty chemicals leader DIC announced effective April 15 price increases for epoxy resins and curing agents, with maximum increase of 280 JPY/kg (~19 RMB/kg), citing geopolitical risks and cost pressures. While not directly related materials, this signals upstream chemical cost pressures are being transmitted downstream.

### Impact Analysis

**Procurement Cost Impact**:
– Carbon fiber price increases raise composite material product costs, affecting wind turbine blades, automotive lightweight components
– Sustained high crude prices provide cost support for PTFE and fluorine chemicals; while currently stable, downside room is limited
– Alumina decline benefits ceramic matrix composites and specialty ceramic products cost reduction

**Supply Chain Impact**:
– Carbon fiber supply tightening; some mid-to-low-end specifications may face extended lead times
– PEEK domestic substitution accelerating; domestic brands gaining price competitiveness
– PI film domestic substitution progressing, but high-end electronic-grade products still import-dependent

### Action Recommendations

| Recommendation | Material | Rationale |
|—————|———-|———–|
| 🔒 Lock in Price | Carbon Fiber | Clear uptrend, energy costs providing high-level support |
| 🔒 Lock in Price | PEEK (Imported) | DIC price increase signal indicates upstream cost transmission |
| 👀 Watch & Wait | Alumina | Declining trend not yet bottomed; wait for stabilization before restocking |
| 👀 Watch & Wait | PTFE | Currently stable with no clear direction; maintain normal procurement cadence |

> ⚠️ **Risk Alert**: Middle East geopolitical developments could trigger sharp crude oil volatility, impacting the entire chemical product chain. Monitor Strait of Hormuz passage status and US-Iran negotiation progress closely.