This week, the domestic acetone market experienced a two-day upward shift in its price center, breaking away from the previous pattern of weak fluctuations. According to monitoring data from Business Society, on January 13, market prices showed a slight increase compared to the previous week. The mainstream price in East China rose from around 4,100 yuan/ton on January 7 to 4,350 yuan/ton on January 13, marking a 6.10% increase from the previous week. This upturn ended the downward trend observed since the beginning of 2025, with trading activity showing signs of recovery.

The marginal improvement in demand has provided a driving force. Terminal restocking and traders' inventory replenishment demand are expected to continue, while demand growth in emerging green sectors has become a new incremental factor—bio-based acetone glycerol is accelerating its penetration in areas such as waterborne polyurethane coatings. Additionally, the operating rates of downstream industries like MIBK and MMA have slightly increased, with incremental rigid demand boosting trading activity.

Cost-side support has also played a role. The core raw materials for acetone, propylene and pure benzene, stabilized within a narrow range this week, alleviating the pressure of weakening cost support. As key raw materials for the cumene production method, the halt in their price declines has reduced cost pressures for enterprises, increasing the willingness of non-integrated enterprises to resume operations. Coupled with the enhanced efficiency of resource integration among domestic integrated refining and chemical enterprises and stable raw material supply, market confidence has been further strengthened.

Expectations of a potential contraction on the supply side have boosted market sentiment. Although domestic total production capacity remains high, recent short-term maintenance of some phenol-ketone units has kept industry operating rates moderate, easing the pressure of oversupply. Imported shipments arriving by the end of 2025 are gradually being absorbed, reducing port inventories. Combined with traders' reluctance to sell at low prices, the tightening of circulating supply has driven quotations upward.

The acetone quotations in major domestic markets as of January 13 are as follows: