SunSirs: Acrylic Acid Fell Nearly 5% for the Month

Key Market Highlights from Last Week:

According to monitoring by SunSirs' data, as of April 23, 2026, the benchmark price for premium-grade acrylic acid in East China stood at 12,483.33 RMB/ton. Compared to the beginning of April (13,116.67 RMB/ton), the price declined by 633.34 RMB/ton over the month—a drop of 4.83%. Last week (April 20–23), the downward trend accelerated; prices quickly broke below the 12,500 RMB/ton threshold, falling rapidly from the 12,883.33 RMB/ton level observed at the start of the week. Specifically, prices fell by 1.03% on April 21 and dropped a further 2.09% on April 22; the cumulative decline over these two days exceeded 3%, signaling a concentrated release of downward correction momentum following a period at high price levels.

From a long-term perspective, acrylic acid experienced a doubling in value during February and March, with prices surging vertically from the vicinity of 6,000 RMB/ton to over 13,000 RMB/ton, ultimately touching a cyclical high of 13,116.67 RMB/ton. However, upon entering April, this upward momentum came to an abrupt halt; after oscillating at elevated levels, prices reversed course and began to trend downward. The accelerated decline witnessed last week officially signaled the end of the unilateral bull run, marking the market's entry into a phase of high-level correction.

Fundamentals:

1. Supply Side: A loosening supply landscape continued to emerge. Domestic acrylic acid production units were gradually concluding their maintenance shutdowns, leading to a rebound in operating rates. This trend—coupled with BASF’s suspension of acrylic acid product auctions—had dispelled prior market expectations regarding a tight supply of imported goods. The absence of high-price benchmarks, combined with an increased willingness among manufacturers to offload inventory, had collectively driven spot prices lower.

2. Demand Side: Downstream sectors were exhibiting mounting resistance to high-priced acrylic acid; follow-through on essential demand remained insufficient, and cost pass-through was hindered. Overall industry procurement remained cautious, resulting in persistently weak demand that struggles to provide effective support for prices.

3. Cost Side: Although the price of propylene—the key feedstock for acrylic acid—remained at an elevated level, it has recently experienced a slight pullback; consequently, the cost side's supportive effect on acrylic acid prices continues to wane. The combination of loosening cost support and a reversal in the supply-demand landscape means that the decline in acrylic acid prices faces no significant resistance.

Market outlook

Last week, the acrylic acid market officially established a downward trend amidst the interplay between supply and demand, with a decline of nearly 5% recorded within the month. Acrylic acid prices are expected to maintain their weak downward trajectory, gradually retreating from their recent highs toward a more rational range. In the short term, a wait-and-see approach is advisable, and market participants should remain alert to the risk of prices continuing to probe lower levels.

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