Every breakthrough and progress
It is our continuous pursuit of technological innovation
Every breakthrough and progress
It is our continuous pursuit of technological innovation
Introduction
As we enter 2026, the global chemical industry is witnessing a synchronized wave of price increases. For the entire epoxy chain—from upstream Bisphenol A (BPA) and Epichlorohydrin (ECH) to midstream epoxy resins, and various amine and anhydride hardeners—price curves are showing a steep upward trend. As a professional manufacturer of epoxy hardeners and supplier of epoxy resins, we combine the latest global data and international developments to provide an in-depth analysis of the root causes of this price surge and offer a forecast for the full year of 2026.
The first quarter of 2026 did not see the usual off-season adjustment for epoxy resins and hardeners. Instead, the market displayed a strong "off-season but not weak" trend.
Data from industry sources like Longzhong Information and SCI99 show that by early March 2026, the price of liquid epoxy resin E-51 in East China had been pushed to around 14,500 RMB/ton, marking a significant increase from the beginning of the year. More notably, the performance of the two key raw materials is exceptionally strong: Bisphenol A (BPA), the upstream raw material for epoxy resin, remains high due to cost support from benzene and acetone. Meanwhile, the price of Epichlorohydrin (ECH) in the East China market is firmly held at around 12,650 RMB/ton, with some factories experiencing tight spot supply.
In the hardener sector, while end-users are resistant to high prices, cost pressures have significantly impacted product lines like polyamides and aliphatic amines. Global market research indicates that not only is the epoxy hardener market growing, but due to raw material shortages caused by crude oil price volatility, factory prices for various adduct amines and phenalkamines have seen substantive increases of 5%-10% .
This round of price hikes is not a short-term speculation but an inevitable result driven by the combined forces of costs, supply, and the macroeconomic cycle.
First is energy costs. Persistent geopolitical uncertainties, particularly potential supply risks in the Strait of Hormuz in Q1 2026, have directly driven a significant increase in international oil prices. As the foundation of the chemical industry, sustained high oil prices directly push up the costs of basic chemical raw materials.
Second is the imbalance in raw material supply and demand. Taking Epichlorohydrin as an example, the glycerin-based production route faces competition for raw materials from the biodiesel market. Coupled with maintenance shutdowns at some major facilities, this has tightened market circulation and strengthened sellers' pricing power.
2026 marks a turning point in the capacity cycle for global chemical plants. After years of capacity expansion, new capacity additions in 2026-2027 have significantly decreased. Simultaneously, intensive maintenance early in the year has further exacerbated supply tightness:
TDI/MDI Ripple Effect: Although TDI is not the same product as epoxy resin, price hikes initiated by giants like BASF, Covestro, and Wanhua Chemical for polyurethane raw materials (up to $300/ton increase) have fueled a bullish sentiment across the entire chemical market.
Epoxy Plant Rate Cuts: Due to environmental pressures and shrinking profit margins, some liquid epoxy resin factories proactively reduced operating rates around the Chinese New Year holidays, leading to persistently tight spot supply.
Despite high prices causing some smaller enterprises to halt purchases and wait-and-see, rigid demand remains strong:
Wind Power & Electronics: With the acceleration of the global energy transition, the demand for high-performance hardeners in wind turbine blade composites continues to grow. It is projected that by 2030, the penetration rate of hardeners in the wind energy composites sector will continue to increase.
Infrastructure & Coatings: The momentum of infrastructure investments in various countries persists into 2026. Demand for rigid restocking in sectors like flooring and anti-corrosion coatings was released intensively after the Chinese New Year holidays.
Based on current market research and macroeconomic models, we forecast that the overall market for epoxy resins and hardeners in 2026 will maintain an upward trend with fluctuations.
Price Pattern Forecast: Similar to the "down-up-down" fluctuation model predicted by some analysts, the annual price center will be significantly higher than in 2025. Each potential price correction might be seen as a window for replenishing inventory, followed by another rise driven by costs.
Hardener Segments: With the trend towards higher performance in electronic encapsulation and composite materials, the demand for high-performance latent hardeners like imidazoles and anhydrides will outpace that of common coating hardeners. This also implies that the premium for specialty hardeners will further expand.
Increased Industry Concentration: In this sustained wave of price increases, small blending plants lacking raw material advantages will be phased out. Manufacturers with stable supply chains and the capability to provide complete epoxy solutions (resins + hardeners) will become more competitive.
Facing the full-year upward trend in 2026, the strategy of simply "waiting for prices to drop" carries significant risk for buyers. We recommend:
Overcome "Fear of High Prices", Build Safety Stock: The current market is typically "cost-push" inflation. As long as upstream raw material costs don't collapse, it's difficult for resin and hardener prices to drop sharply. We suggest maintaining 1-2 months of safety stock based on your order book.
Focus on Specialty Product Alternatives: When prices for standard products are extremely high, consider collaborating with suppliers to test high-performance, high-value-added products. This allows you to absorb raw material costs by enhancing the value of your end products.
Source Directly from Manufacturers: Choosing a source manufacturer like us, who produces both hardeners and sells resins, not only ensures supply stability but also provides professional technical support. This can help you identify cost-reduction opportunities during the formulation process.
Conclusion
In 2026, the global chemical industry is undergoing a value reassessment driven by costs, geopolitics, and cycles. The price increases for epoxy resins and hardeners are not an isolated event but an inevitable outcome of the broader macroeconomic landscape. We will continue to leverage our precise control over raw materials and continuous technological innovation to offer products and services that provide value, even during this price surge.
If you are interested in current quotes or alternative solutions, please contact our sales team immediately for the latest price list!
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