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Views: 38 Author: Yinsu flame retardant Publish Time: 2026-08-31 Origin: www.flameretardantys.com
[Weekly Bromine Review]: Supply-Demand Dynamics Drive Prices Lower (August 21–27, 2026)
1.Market Highlights for This Week
① The operating rate at the bromine sample companies this week was 50.46%, unchanged from last week.
② The mainstream transaction price for bromine in Shandong this week was 37,750 yuan/metric ton, down 1,750 yuan/metric ton from last week.
2.Market Analysis for This Week
Table 1: Comparison of Domestic Bromine Price Changes for the Current Period (Unit: yuan/metric ton)
Looking at the details of market operations, the actual transaction price range for domestic bromine trended downward this week, with sales in the Shandong market settling around 36,500–39,000 yuan per metric ton, and bearish sentiment persists in the market.
On the supply side, operating rates at bromine producers have not shown a significant increase, and overall industry inventories remain low. Producers continue to maintain a stance of supporting prices; however, some stockholders who had stocked up at earlier low prices—faced with insufficient buying interest at current high market levels—have chosen to lower actual transaction prices to accelerate inventory turnover. As a result, hidden low-priced supplies have begun to enter the market, and the room for price negotiation on small, scattered orders has widened further; On the demand side, the off-season is particularly pronounced. Downstream enterprises are operating at low capacity, and price pass-through to downstream products is hindered. Faced with high raw material prices, companies are avoiding large-scale stockpiling and generally adopting a “buy as needed” approach. Amid the downward trend in bromine prices, most are primarily testing the market by pressing for lower prices, with weak willingness to close deals; the overall market remains cautiously wait-and-see.
In July 2026, China’s bromine imports totaled 7,297 metric tons, an 8.88% increase from the previous month, with an average import price of $4,708 per metric ton, up 15.19% month-over-month. Israel was the largest source, accounting for 3,538 metric tons at an average import price of $4,987 per metric ton.
In July 2026, China’s imports of sodium bromide and potassium bromide totaled 1,513 metric tons, a decrease of 27.64% month-over-month; the average import price was $2,719 per metric ton, up 69.83% month-over-month. Djibouti was the largest supplier, with imports totaling 612 metric tons at an average price of $1,900 per metric ton.
3.Analysis of Market Influencing Factors
1）Raw material prices remain at high levels.
2）Due to policy factors, some manufacturers still have no set timeline for resuming production.
3）Persistent rainfall continues to limit the recovery of industry operations.
4）Demand in downstream industries remains weak, with purchases limited to essential needs.
5）There are expectations that the arrival of imported goods at ports may be delayed.
4.Market Forecast for Next Week
Looking ahead to next week, production levels in domestic supply regions are unlikely to see a significant rebound. Low factory inventories provide support at the bottom of the market, but some manufacturers still need to move inventory. Low-priced supplies may continue to exert downward pressure on spot prices, while the arrival of imports will also increase the flexibility of the supply in circulation. On the demand side, the off-season persists, and downstream production levels are unlikely to improve. Purchasing remains limited to meeting immediate needs, with large-scale restocking unlikely to occur; price-cutting inquiries predominate. Overall, the market remains in a tug-of-war between bulls and bears, with prices fluctuating on a weaker trend. While the potential for sharp declines is limited, upward rebounds face significant resistance, and actual transactions continue to face pressure. Key factors to monitor include production levels in production areas, import arrivals, and essential purchasing activity from downstream sectors.
5.Impact on and Forecast for the Brominated Flame Retardant Market
The sustained high prices of bromine and the recent correction have had a direct and far-reaching impact on the brominated flame retardant market.
Cost pressures have eased somewhat, but there is a time lag in price transmission. This week, the mainstream transaction price for bromine in Shandong was 37,750 yuan/metric ton, down 1,750 yuan/metric ton from last week, representing a 4.43% decline. As bromine prices have retreated from their previous high of nearly 40,000 yuan/metric ton, production cost pressures for bromine-based flame retardants (such as tetrabromobisphenol A and decabromodiphenyl ethane) have marginally eased. However, as bromine prices remain at historically high levels, and with manufacturers maintaining low inventory levels and continuing to hold firm on prices, bromine-based flame retardant producers have limited room to significantly lower their quotes in the short term, resulting in a noticeable time lag in cost pass-through.
Weak demand is the more fundamental constraining factor. The flame retardant industry is currently in its traditional off-season, with downstream sectors such as modified plastics, cables, and electronics and electrical appliances operating at low capacity utilization rates and seeing insufficient volumes of end-user orders. The downward trend in bromine prices has further reinforced buyers’ wait-and-see attitude—downstream companies generally adopt a “buy on the rise, not on the decline” strategy of purchasing only as needed, primarily testing the market by pressing for lower prices, with a weak willingness to close deals. Inventory depletion at bromine-based flame retardant manufacturers is proceeding slowly, and prices for some products have already approached the break-even point.
There are potential uncertainties on the supply side. Operating rates in the bromine industry have not shown a significant increase; persistent rainfall in production areas continues to limit a recovery in operating rates, and some enterprises affected by policy factors still have no timeline for resuming production. However, imported supplies continue to replenish the market—bromine imports in July totaled 7,297 metric tons, an 8.88% increase month-over-month—which has increased the flexibility of domestic supply and exerted some downward pressure on bromine prices.
Overall Assessment: In the short term, bromine prices are likely to fluctuate weakly within the range of 36,500–39,000 yuan per metric ton; while the potential for a sharp decline is limited, upward momentum faces significant resistance. Cost support for bromine-based flame retardants will gradually weaken, and prices are likely to follow suit, though the decline will lag behind that of bromine. For downstream buyers, current prices are in a correction phase; it is recommended to purchase primarily on an as-needed basis and avoid stockpiling at high prices. At the same time, buyers should evaluate halogen-free alternatives to reduce the risk of reliance on a single raw material source.
