Acetone Market Rebounds from Bottom This Week (October 8–10, 2026)

1. Key Market Focus This Week

1. Petrochemical enterprises lowered acetone prices by 300 CNY/ton this week. The opening price for East China was executed at 8,800 CNY/ton.

2. The operating rate of domestic phenol-acetone units stood at 88.76% this week.

3. Inbound vessel shipments replenished stocks, raising port inventory to 22,500 tons.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

Data Source: Chempricehub Information

The weight center of the spot acetone market in East China shifted upward during this period. As of October 10, the reference transaction price for acetone in the Jiangsu region ranged from 8,700 to 8,750 CNY/ton. Following the National Day holiday, raw material markets for pure benzene and propylene remained at high levels, providing significant cost-push support. Phenol-acetone producers faced increased pressure from losses, prompting them to raise their opening prices accordingly. Boosted by these factors, holders' sentiment improved, leading to higher offer prices. Sporadic downstream end-users entered the market to bid for restocking, causing overall trading activity to recover. Traders showed less willingness to sell at discounts, aligning their offers with the rising trend. Transaction volumes saw a slight release, driving the market's weight center upward.

3. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors

1. As of October 10, the profit margin for Sinopec's East China phenol-acetone operations was -1,409 CNY/ton, a decrease of 321 CNY/ton compared to September 30.

2. The operating rate of domestic phenol-acetone units hovered around 88.76% this week.

3. According to incomplete vessel schedule data from Chempricehub Information, as of October 10, the total volume of acetone vessels scheduled for East China in October was 21,400 tons. Of this, 19,400 tons had arrived, while 2,000 tons were still in transit. Attention should be paid to subsequent shipping dynamics.

4. Next Week's Market Forecast

It is expected that cost-side support for acetone will weaken in the next period. Supply data is projected to decline month-on-month, while demand-side data is expected to show improvement. Consequently, the spot acetone market is predicted to operate firmly in the next period. Key focus areas include:

1. Supply: Domestic phenol-acetone unit operating rates are expected to remain around 85%, with port inventories hovering near 20,000 tons.
2. Demand: Downstream demand for Bisphenol A (BPA) and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is expected to increase, while other downstream industries will primarily participate based on rigid demand.
3. Cost: Raw material pure benzene is expected to trade weakly, leading to diminished cost-side support.

For more weekly market analysis, please refer to the Chempricehub Information Acetone Weekly Report.