Acetic Acid Market Expected to Remain Weak amid Cautious Buying and Restart Expectations

**1. Previous Closing Prices in the Mainstream Market**

In the previous trading day, the acetic acid market showed a weak trend. The operating rate of the acetic acid industry remained at a relatively low level, but had begun to gradually recover, with positive support being progressively absorbed. Downstream operating rate improvements were limited, and acetic acid demand from end-users remained moderate. Market participants stayed on the sidelines, showing little intention to procure spot goods, which led to a downward shift in negotiation ranges across various regions to varying degrees.

**2. Key Factors Influencing Current Market Price Changes**

- **Demand:** Overall, demand for acetic acid from major downstream industries remained moderate, with no bullish guidance. End-users showed low enthusiasm for spot purchases.
- **Supply:** The acetic acid industry operating rate was not high, though some producers were expected to resume operations in the latter half of the month. (In the previous trading day, facilities of Sinopec Ningxia Energy and Chemical, Hebei Jiantao, Nanjing Celanese, Jiangsu Sopo, and Shanghai Huayi were running below capacity, while units of Anhui Huayi, Lunan Chemical, Shaanxi Yanchang, Nanjing INEOS, and Xinjiang Zhonghe Hezhong were shut down. Other facilities operated steadily.)
- **Sentiment:** Downstream players remained on the sidelines with bearish sentiment, while acetic acid producers held a relatively stable outlook but showed no strong inclination to support prices.

**3. Trend Forecast**

The acetic acid industry operating rate remains at a slightly low level, providing moderate supply support. However, some shut-down units are expected to restart in the latter half of the month. Downstream participants are cautiously waiting and show low purchasing enthusiasm. It is anticipated that the acetic acid market will remain stable with a weak bias today. In today’s market survey, 50% of participants expect prices to decline by approximately RMB 30/ton, while 50% expect prices to remain stable.