In the mainstream market, acetic acid prices closed on a weak and consolidating note in the previous trading session. Overall plant operating rates remained unchanged, leading to a gradual accumulation of inventory. However, most producers are not yet facing significant pressure, keeping their offer prices steady. Downstream purchasing continued to slow, with procurement primarily driven by long-term agreements, while spot demand remained subdued. Negotiation levels in the East China region showed a further downward shift.
**Key Factors Influencing Current Market Price Changes:**
* **Supply:** Industry operating rates are expected to see some recovery but will generally remain at a moderate level. In the last session, several plants, including Henan Shunda, Hebei Jiantao Phase II, Nanjing Celanese, Zhejiang Petrochemical, Jiangsu Sopoco, and Shanghai Huayi, were operating below capacity. Facilities such as Anhui Huayi, Nanjing INEOS, and Xinjiang Zhonghe Hezhong were shut down. Other plants maintained stable operations.
* **Demand:** While long-term agreement deliveries persist, overall market inquiries have significantly decreased.
* **Market Sentiment:** Downstream buyers adopted a wait-and-see approach, while producers’ sentiment remained temporarily stable.
**Market Trend Forecast:**
The overall operating rate in the acetic acid industry remains at a medium-to-low level. Although most producers are not under pronounced inventory pressure, stockpiles have been accumulating across the sector. Downstream rigid demand exists but is insufficient to uplift the overall subdued spot market negotiation atmosphere. It is anticipated that the acetic acid market will continue to exhibit weak and stagnant characteristics in the near term.
In a survey conducted today, 20% of industry participants forecast a price decline of approximately 30 RMB/ton, while 80% expect prices to hold steady.
Post time: Feb-09-2026