Price trend

This week, the domestic acetone market shifts upwards, breaking free from the previous weak and volatile trend. According to data monitored by SunSirs, market prices on January 13th shows a slight increase compared to last week. The mainstream price in East China rises from around 4,100 RMB/ton on January 7th to 4,350 RMB/ton on January 13th, a 6.10% increase compared to last week, ending the downward trend since 2025 and indicating a recovery in trading activity.

Market analysis

Improved demand on the supply side is providing momentum. End-user inventory replenishment and demand from traders for stocking up will continue to be released, and growth in demand from emerging green sectors is providing additional volume - bio-based acetone glycerol is accelerating its penetration into areas such as water-based polyurethane coatings; in addition, operating rates in downstream industries such as MIBK and MMA have slightly increased, and the increase in essential demand is boosting trading activity.

Cost-side support. The markets for propylene and benzene, the core raw materials for acetone production, stabilized within a narrow range this week, alleviating the pressure of weakening cost support. As key raw materials in the cumene process, the stabilization of their prices reduced cost pressure on companies, leading to increased willingness among non-integrated companies to increase production; coupled with the improved efficiency of resource integration by domestic integrated refining and chemical enterprises and stable raw material supply, market confidence was further strengthened.

The expectation of a potential contraction in supply is boosting market sentiment. Although domestic overall production capacity is high, some phenol and acetone plants have recently undergone short-term maintenance, resulting in a moderate industry operating rate and alleviating oversupply pressure. Imported shipments arriving at ports by the end of 2025 are gradually being absorbed, reducing port inventories. Coupled with traders holding back on sales at low prices, the availability of goods in circulation is tight, driving prices upward.

The following are the acetone price quotations in major markets across the country:

According to SunSirs, whether the acetone market can continue its upward trend depends on several factors: On the cost side, the price trends of propylene and benzene need to be monitored; on the demand side, the development of new industries is worth watching, but uncertainties remain regarding the improvement of operating rates in traditional downstream sectors; on the supply side, the progress of plant restarts after maintenance and the arrival of imported shipments will affect the supply-demand balance. In the short term, the market may fluctuate but remain generally strong; in the long term, it will depend on a fundamental improvement in the supply-demand structure.

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