[Lead] China's acetone capacity continues to expand in 2026. In the second quarter, with the successful commissioning of Shandong Ruilin's 130,000-ton/year acetone unit, the total domestic acetone capacity reached 4.31 million tons/year. Affected by cost pressures and planned maintenance adjustments, China's acetone output in the first half of 2026 is estimated at 1.833 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.43%.

(I) China's acetone capacity grew by 3.11% in the first half of 2026

Table 1: New acetone capacity in China, first half of 2026 (units: 10,000 tons/year)

| Province | Company | Capacity | Feedstock Type | Start-up Date | Downstream Integration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shandong | Shandong Ruilin | 13 | Cumene | May 2026 | Bisphenol A |

Source: chempricehub

In May 2026, one new acetone unit was commissioned in China: Shandong Ruilin Polymer Materials Co., Ltd.'s 130,000-ton/year acetone unit, raising the domestic acetone capacity base to 4.31 million tons/year. The capacity growth rate in the first half of 2026 was 3.11%.

Table 2: Comparison of China's acetone production changes in the first half of 2026 (units: 10,000 tons)

| Item | H1 2025 | H1 2026 (E) | YoY Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Production | 165.99 | 183.30 | +10.43% |

Source: chempricehub

Figure 1: Composite trend of monthly acetone production and capacity utilization, 2025-2026 (10,000 tons)
Figure 2: Comparison of monthly acetone capacity utilization, 2025-2026
Source: chempricehub

According to data from chempricehub, one new phenol-acetone unit—Shandong Ruilin's 130,000-ton/year acetone unit—was added in the first half of 2026. This unit started up smoothly in May and has been supplying product normally. Domestic phenol-acetone capacity utilization was high in Q1 2026, but Q2 saw a concentration of maintenance shutdowns. A total of 12 units underwent maintenance, with CNOOC Shell and Huizhou Zhongxin (Phase I) experiencing prolonged outages, and units at Zhejiang Petrochemical (Phase II), Yangzhou Shiyou, Jiangsu Ruiheng, Huizhou Zhongxin (Phase II), Shenghong Refining, Moyiwei Chemical (Shanghai), Gaohua Materials, Lanzhou Harbin, Wanhua Chemical, and Changchun Chemical (Jiangsu) all experiencing short-term and planned shutdowns. Nevertheless, acetone production in the first half of 2026 increased by 10.43% year-on-year, reaching 1.8330 million tons.

Table 3: China's phenol-acetone unit maintenance schedule, first half of 2026 (units: 10,000 tons/year)

| Company Name | Phenol | Acetone | Maintenance Details |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CNOOC Shell | 22 | 13 | Shut down July 1, 2023; restart date pending |
| Huizhou Zhongxin (Phase I) | 18 | 12 | Shut down May 6, 2025 – March 9, 2026; entered shutdown April 11 |
| Zhejiang Petrochemical (Phase II) | 40 | 25 | Shut down December 10, 2025 – January 9, 2026 |
| Yangzhou Shiyou | 20 | 12 | Shut for minor maintenance January 29 – February 3; shut for maintenance May 20-29 |
| Jiangsu Ruiheng | 40 | 25 | Brief shutdown February 22-23 |
| Huizhou Zhongxin (Phase II) | 27 | 18 | Shut for maintenance in early March; returned to normal operation April 11 |
| Shenghong Refining | 40 | 25 | Brief shutdown April 13-15 for tower washing |
| Moyiwei Chemical (Shanghai) | 35 | 21 | Shut for maintenance April 14 – May 22 |
| Gaohua Materials | 25 | 15 | Shut for maintenance May 12; expected restart end of June |
| Lanzhou Harbin | 9 | 6 | Shut for maintenance May 18; expected restart June 5 |
| Wanhua Chemical | 47 | 31 | Shut for maintenance May 20-24; further maintenance planned for August |
| Changchun Chemical (Jiangsu) | 30 | 18 | Planned shutdown late June – late July |

Source: chempricehub

Figure 3: Comparison of acetone production loss from maintenance, 2025-2026 (10,000 tons)
Source: chempricehub

In the first half of 2026, monthly acetone production losses due to planned and unplanned outages of domestic phenol-acetone units were lower than the same period in 2025, averaging 18,600 tons per month. The highest loss occurred in March, at 30,100 tons.

(II) Domestic acetone supply forecast for Q3

Figure 4: Forecast of monthly China acetone production and capacity utilization trends, Q3 2026 (10,000 tons)
Source: chempricehub

According to chempricehub, Q3 will still see planned maintenance of domestic phenol-acetone units. Changchun Chemical (Jiangsu)'s 480,000-ton/year phenol-acetone unit is scheduled for maintenance starting in late June, with an expected duration of about 40 days. Shenghong Refining's 650,000-ton/year phenol-acetone unit may undergo maintenance in July due to upstream benzene unit maintenance. Longjiang Chemical's 350,000-ton/year phenol-acetone unit is scheduled for maintenance from mid-July, expected to last about 20 days. Wanhua Chemical's 780,000-ton/year phenol-acetone unit is planned for shutdown maintenance starting in August.

Affected by maintenance and load fluctuations of domestic phenol-acetone units, China's acetone production in Q3 2026 is expected to increase sequentially, with monthly average output remaining around 305,000 tons and capacity utilization fluctuating between 76% and 86%. Given uncertainties regarding unit operations, including temporary and unplanned shutdowns that can impact phenol-acetone unit operating rates, ongoing monitoring of unit operating dynamics is required.