Entering December, the domestic maleic anhydride market in China continues to decline

December 25th, according to reports

According to the commodity analysis system, since entering December, the market for maleic anhydride in China has continued to decline. As of December 24th, the average market price for maleic anhydride produced by the n-butane oxidation method was maintained at 5112.50 CNY/ton, a decrease of 2.85% from 5262.50 CNY/ton on December 1st.

On the supply side: As we entered December, the maleic anhydride market continued its downward trend. In December, Wan Hua’s auction prices kept falling, and transaction conditions remained weak, providing limited support to the maleic anhydride market. Prices at major maleic anhydride producers continued to decline, while downstream users were still digesting earlier raw-material orders, resulting in limited new order signings. As of December 24, the spot price for solid maleic anhydride in the Shandong region was around 4,850 CNY per ton, while the spot price for liquid maleic anhydride was around 4,500 CNY per ton.

On the upstream side: As we entered December, the butane market experienced volatile price increases, primarily driven by the rise in Saudi CP prices for December. As of December 24, the price in Shandong stood at around 4,670 CNY per ton.

On the downstream side: Currently, the market for unsaturated resins is mainly characterized by weak and consolidating trends. On the raw material side, prices of styrene and maleic anhydride have declined, providing limited cost support. Downstream procurement remains driven by essential demand, offering only limited support for unsaturated resins.

According to analysts of maleic anhydride products, the primary downstream application—unsaturated resins—is currently driving robust demand and procurement. At present, liquid maleic anhydride prices have fallen to their lowest level of the year, prompting some manufacturers to limit shipments. Coupled with the already evident reduction in supply, the maleic anhydride market is expected to show an upward trend in the near future.