① Glacial acetic acid prices stabilized at high levels this month, with the overall monthly average price breaking through a new year-to-date high.
② Inventory pressure varied among plants, which adjusted their shipment rhythms according to their respective situations.
③ For next month, pay attention to the commissioning and restart status of three units in Xinjiang, as well as the operational performance of the new unit in Guangdong.
| Figure 1: Five-Year Price Range Trend Chart for Glacial Acetic Acid (CNY/ton) | Figure 2: 2026 Price Trend Chart for Glacial Acetic Acid (CNY/ton) |
|---|---|
| Source: Chempricehub Info | Source: Chempricehub Info |
Table 1: Summary of Prices in the Glacial Acetic Acid Industry Chain (Unit: CNY/ton)
| Product | Region | Current Period | Previous Period | Change Value | Change Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methanol | East China | 4129 | 3762 | 367 | 9.76% |
| Glacial Acetic Acid | East China | 4488 | 3951 | 537 | 13.59% |
| Ethyl Acetate | East China | 6854 | 6262 | 592 | 9.45% |
| Butyl Acetate | East China | 8212 | 7911 | 301 | 3.80% |
| Vinyl Acetate | East China | 7795 | 7320 | 475 | 6.49% |
Source: Chempricehub Info
In October, glacial acetic acid prices softened from high levels, while producers maintained a strong stance on holding prices. At the beginning of the month, regional market divergence occurred following the holiday. In Northwest China, demand weakened due to downstream maintenance and load reductions, leading to continuous price declines; low-priced goods flowed into North China. Other regions faced limited inventory pressure, resulting in relatively firm quotations. By mid-month, methanol prices dropped significantly. Coupled with low operating rates and resistance to high prices among downstream sectors such as PTA and vinyl acetate, the market entered a downward channel despite supply reductions caused by Celanese’s maintenance and Suopu’s load reduction. Declines were more pronounced in Northern China than in East and South China. Towards the end of the month, rigid demand remained sluggish, market sentiment was weak, and quotations continued to soften. The overall trend was dominated by weak demand and declining costs, with localized supply benefits failing to support the market. By the end of the month, as methanol prices strengthened and factory inventory pressure remained manageable, producers gradually resumed price-holding operations, leading to a modest market rebound.
Forecast for Next Month: The mismatch between supply and demand in the glacial acetic acid market is expected to persist in November. Market sentiment remains weak, with expectations for price declines. On the supply side: Units in Guangdong and Xinjiang will commence production and shipping in November. Although Celanese and Longyu units are scheduled for maintenance, industry-wide supply remains ample, with output trending upward. On the demand side: Downstream enterprises may face risks of declining profitability due to high raw material costs. Operating rates among major downstream sectors are likely to decrease. Combined with weak terminal support, overall consumption may struggle to absorb the increased upstream supply.
For more detailed monthly market analysis, please refer to the Glacial Acetic Acid Monthly Report by Chempricehub Info.
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