February Acetic Acid Market Fluctuates

February 28 news

According to the commodity market analysis system, the price of acetic acid in February fluctuated. As of February 28, the average market price was 2,796.67 CNY/ton, a decrease of 33.33 CNY/ton compared to the beginning of the month when the price was 2,830.00 CNY/ton, with a monthly price decrease of 1.18%.

In February 2026, the acetic acid market showed a weak fluctuation. Before the holiday, the price of acetic acid first fell and then rose. The inventory of supply-side enterprises was high, and the sentiment of market participants was weak. Before the Spring Festival, some downstream buyers stocked up, causing the transaction price of acetic acid to slightly increase. After the holiday, due to low inventory in the northwest region, the price of acetic acid rose, and other regions followed suit. However, the downstream demand was weak, and with the influx of low-priced goods into the market, some enterprises lowered their acetic acid prices. Throughout the month, there was a tug-of-war between supply and demand in the acetic acid market, and the overall price fluctuation was not significant.

The downstream acetic anhydride market in China operated weakly. From February 1st to 28th, the average ex-factory price of acetic anhydride decreased from 4,590 CNY/ton to 4,540 CNY/ton, a price decrease of 1.09%. The supply side of acetic anhydride remained relatively stable, with little change in the market supply. Downstream buyers purchased according to their needs, providing limited support to the acetic anhydride market. The upstream acetic acid prices fluctuated, resulting in insufficient cost support. As acetic anhydride is significantly influenced by the upstream market, its price weakened and decreased within the month.

The raw material methanol market in February showed a weak fluctuation. As of February 28, the average market price was 2,200 CNY/ton, a decrease of 2.87% compared to the beginning of the month at 2,265 CNY/ton. There is ample supply of methanol in China, with high inventory levels among enterprises, and poor downstream demand, leading to a weaker focus on methanol prices. The port market saw a reduction in imports and a decrease in inventory, which provided some support to methanol prices, but the cost end provided limited support to acetic acid prices.

Future Market Outlook: Analysts believe that the current utilization rate of acetic acid facilities is around 80%, indicating a relatively ample supply. Enterprises are primarily focused on shipping their existing inventories, while downstream demand is recovering slowly, resulting in a lackluster trading atmosphere in the market. It is expected that acetic acid prices will remain weak in the short term, with close attention paid to how downstream demand evolves.