PetroChina Guangdong Petrochemical is preparing to shut down its styrene monomer (SM) unit in southern China for planned maintenance, according to market sources.
A source revealed that the unit is expected to be taken offline on September 5, 2025, although the duration of the shutdown has not yet been confirmed and no official statement has been issued. Located in Guangdong province, the facility has a nameplate production capacity of 800,000 metric tons per year, making it one of the larger styrene units in the region.
Market participants noted that the planned outage could have a noticeable impact on regional styrene balances, depending on how long the shutdown lasts. China has faced continued supply and demand volatility in the styrene sector through 2025, with margins often under pressure due to overcapacity and sluggish downstream demand from polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) producers. Despite this, temporary supply interruptions at large-scale units such as Guangdong’s can still provide short-term price support, particularly if downstream restocking activity coincides with the outage.
Traders added that September is typically an important month for styrene markets, as converters across Asia begin to secure volumes for seasonal demand in packaging, appliances, and construction. Should the Guangdong unit remain offline for an extended period, it could reduce spot availability and tighten supply across southern China, potentially shifting sentiment after months of weak trading activity. However, others pointed out that abundant domestic capacity and steady imports may still cap any significant rally, leaving the overall market direction dependent on the duration of the turnaround and broader demand recovery.
The upcoming maintenance at PetroChina Guangdong underscores the role of scheduled outages in shaping market sentiment in an oversupplied sector. Industry players will closely watch for further clarity on restart timelines, as the length of the shutdown will determine whether this outage merely balances the market or provides more pronounced support to styrene pricing in Asia.
