Petrochemical enterprises reduced acetone prices by RMB 300/ton this week; the East China company's opening price was set at RMB 8,500/ton.
The capacity utilization rate of domestic phenol-acetone units rose to 82.18% this week.
Limited arrival of ship cargoes resulted in a drop in port inventories to 15,000 tons.
| Domestic Acetone Price Trend Comparison (RMB/ton) |
|---|
| Source: Chempricehub Information |
Table: Comparison of Regional Price Changes in the Domestic Acetone Market (Unit: RMB/ton)
| Product | Region/Category | Nov 12 | Nov 5 | Change Value | Change Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Jiangsu | 8600 | 8450 | 150 | 1.78% |
| North China | 8575 | 8950 | -375 | -4.19% | |
| South China | 9150 | 9300 | -150 | -1.61% | |
| Shandong | 8500 | 8850 | -350 | -3.95% |
Source: Chempricehub Information
The spot acetone market in East China experienced a decline followed by a recovery during this period. As of November 12, the reference negotiation price for acetone in the Jiangsu region stood between RMB 8,500 and RMB 8,700 per ton. A significant drop in upstream raw material benzene prices weakened cost-side support, dampening market sentiment and increasing wait-and-see attitudes among traders. Capacity utilization rates for domestic phenol-acetone units increased month-on-month, leading to greater release of circulating spot resources. However, with port inventories falling to 15,000 tons, a tight supply-demand balance provided some support. Holders adjusted their offers flexibly according to market trends; willingness to sell actively was stronger in the first half of the week. In the second half, as downstream end-users began tendering and restocking, trading activity improved slightly, reducing incentives for low-price sales. Nevertheless, end-user purchases remained largely driven by rigid demand, with actual transactions dominated by small orders and limited large-volume trades.
The capacity utilization rate of domestic phenol-acetone units hovered around 82.18% this week.
According to incomplete vessel schedule statistics from Chempricehub Information, as of November 5, the total volume of acetone ship cargoes destined for East China in November was recorded at 8,700 tons. Of this, 3,200 tons had arrived, while 5,500 tons were still in transit. Attention should be paid to subsequent shipping dynamics.
Next period, capacity utilization rates for domestic phenol-acetone units are expected to rise, with inventory levels at Jiangyin Port remaining around 14,000 tons. Overall operating rates in downstream industries such as Bisphenol A (BPA), Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) are expected to improve to varying degrees, while changes in other downstream sectors will remain minimal. Based on supply-demand data projections, combined with the offsetting effects of negative cost factors and low inventory support, demand is unlikely to see significant improvement. Therefore, the acetone market is expected to primarily undergo volatile consolidation next week. It is recommended to track trends in the upstream benzene market and changes in downstream industry operating loads.
For more weekly market analysis, please refer to the Chempricehub Acetone Weekly Report.
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