1. Market Focus of the Week

1. Raw materials: Feedstock propylene rose sharply, exerting significant cost pressure.
2. Operating rates: This week, the overall operating rate of acrylic acid enterprises was assessed at 70.70%, up 2.16 percentage points from the previous period.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

Domestic Acrylic Acid Price Weekly Changes
Unit: yuan/ton

Summary: This week, the East China acrylic acid market maintained a firm operating stance. Mainstream spot offers were in the range of 7,500–7700 yuan/ton, up 30 yuan/ton from last week, representing a week-on-week increase of 0.4%. The feedstock propylene market rose substantially, significantly raising cost pressure. Producers and cargo holders showed clear price-supporting intentions, and offers remained persistently firm. On the supply side, plant operating loads rose slightly during the week, leading to a modest increase in spot availability. On the demand side, downstream specialty ester and SAP industries continued to mainly consume previously contracted volumes and their own inventories, maintaining a cautious procurement pace. Only some users made opportunistic inquiries and restocking based on production schedules. Overall transaction sentiment was moderate. The focus of actual deal negotiations moved upward amid cost support and rigid demand, and the market generally operated with a firm tone.

3. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors

1. In East China, some acrylic acid negotiations were around 7,550 yuan/ton; the industry operating rate stood at 70.70%, up 2.16 percentage points from the previous period.
2. The butyl acrylate plant operating rate was 56.32%, down 0.61 percentage points from the previous period; some East China negotiations were around 9,050 yuan/ton.

4. Next Week's Market Forecast

Outlook: The East China acrylic acid market is likely to show a stable-to-firm consolidation pattern next week. On the raw material side, propylene is expected to face some correction after running at high levels, which may slightly weaken cost support. However, since acrylic acid prices are already near the cost line, producers have limited room to offer concessions and their willingness to support prices remains intact. On the supply side, plant operating rates recovered slightly during the week, keeping spot supply at workable levels. On the demand side, downstream specialty ester and SAP plants are still mainly digesting contract volumes and their own inventories, with cautious attitudes toward new orders; rigid-demand purchases are expected to remain steady. Considering the combined bullish and bearish factors, acrylic acid market prices next week are expected to largely remain in a range-bound pattern, with the price center likely moving up slightly. Market participants are advised to closely monitor raw material price trends and changes in downstream restocking pace.