China, the United States, and Germany are the leading exporters of acetic acid, collectively accounting for over 40% of global export value in 2023–2024, while India, South Korea, and Mexico represent the largest importers by volume and value. Imports into Southeast Asia and Latin America have grown steadily since 2022, coinciding with moderate upward pressure on acetic acid prices amid tightening supply from key European producers.
Acetic Acid Market Intelligence Report (April 15, 2026)
I. Price Trends
1. Significant Regional Price Differentials
– Shandong Province:
Jinan City: Mainstream quotations range from RMB 2,350–3,300 per metric ton (brands include Hualu Hengsheng and Yankuang Guotai; purity 99%–99.8%).
Liaocheng City: Henan Longyu premium-grade product quoted at RMB 2,900/ton; Yankuang premium-grade at RMB 3,200/ton.
Dongying City: Shandong premium-grade product quoted at RMB 3,800/ton.
– Jiangsu Province:
Nanjing City: Yankuang Guotai premium-grade quoted at RMB 4,200/ton.
Changzhou City: Domestic premium-grade quoted at RMB 2,300/ton (Yangzi Petrochemical BP).
– Fujian Province: Shanghai Huayi premium-grade quoted at RMB 5,300/ton—markedly higher than other regions.
– Hebei Province: Domestic national-standard ex-factory price in Shijiazhuang stood at RMB 4,400/ton (as of April 1, 2026).
2. Short-Term Price Volatility
– On April 14, acetic acid prices in North China rose by RMB 15/ton; delivered prices in surrounding areas were approximately RMB 2,765/ton, reflecting strong pricing discipline among producers.
– According to B2B platform “Shengyishe”, the North China market remained stable on April 15; however, temporary supply constraints due to scheduled plant maintenance at several facilities provided underlying price support.
II. Supply-Demand Analysis
1. Supply Side
– Capacity Overhang: In 2025, China’s total acetic acid capacity reached 17.06 million tons, up 39% year-on-year; output totaled 12.65 million tons—highlighting pronounced supply-demand misalignment.
– Impact of Plant Maintenance: In April 2026, selective maintenance at certain North China plants tightened short-term supply; however, the fundamental overcapacity landscape remains unchanged.
– Regional Cargo Flow: Delayed commissioning of new facilities in Northwest China has created a local supply deficit, triggering reverse cargo flows toward North China and Shandong—and widening regional price spreads.
2. Demand Side
– Weakness in Traditional Downstream Sectors: Demand growth from PTA and acetate esters remains sluggish, weighed down by subdued end-market conditions in textiles and real estate.
– Emerging Demand Potential:
Growth in new-energy battery applications (electronic-grade acetate esters), photovoltaics (EVA/POE encapsulation films), and biodegradable plastics (polyglycolic acid, PGA) is emerging—but insufficient in the near term to absorb excess capacity.
Mature technologies such as acetic acid-to-ethanol and acetic acid-to-acrylic acid exist, yet require policy incentives and concrete project implementation to scale.
III. Cost & Profitability
1. Raw Material Price Inversion: Methanol prices remained persistently high throughout 2025; at mid-year, port methanol prices even exceeded acetic acid prices—severely compressing profit margins.
2. Industry-Wide Margin Compression: High-cost producers are suffering severe losses; some enterprises in Central and East China have reduced operating rates or halted production entirely; integrated producers are barely sustaining operations near breakeven levels.
IV. Analytical Outlook
1. Short Term (1–3 months)
– Price Support: Ongoing plant maintenance, low inventory levels, and elevated raw material costs (methanol) will sustain acetic acid prices in a relatively high, range-bound pattern; North China is expected to maintain stability.
– Regional Divergence: Prices in Fujian and Jiangsu provinces remain notably higher than those in major producing provinces such as Shandong and Hebei—driven by logistics costs and brand premiums.
2. Medium Term (6–12 months)
– Supply Pressure: Gradual ramp-up of newly commissioned capacity in 2026, combined with restarts of idled facilities, will intensify overcapacity, exerting downward pressure on prices.
– Demand Lag: Growth in emerging downstream demand is unlikely to match the pace of supply expansion; traditional sector weakness persists, further aggravating supply-demand imbalances.
3. Long Term (1–3 years)
– Industry Consolidation: Chronic overcapacity will drive sectoral restructuring—low-cost, integrated producers will gain competitive advantage, while high-cost players face marginalization or exit.
– Technological Upgrading: Enterprises must extend vertically into high-value-added downstream segments (e.g., new-energy materials) or pursue technological innovation to reduce costs—key strategies for long-term resilience.
V. Forecast
1. Price Range Projections:
– Q2 2026: North China mainstream prices likely to stabilize between RMB 2,700–3,000/ton; greater volatility expected in East and South China due to localized supply-demand dynamics.
– Second Half of 2026: With new capacity coming online, prices may decline to RMB 2,300–2,500/ton—approaching industry-wide cost floors.
2. Key Variables:
– Methanol Price Trajectory: Sustained high methanol costs would accelerate margin erosion and force further production cuts.
– Commercialization of Emerging Demand: Policy support intensity and actual project commissioning timelines in new-energy and PV sectors will critically influence long-term demand growth.
– Export Market: Oversupply across the Asia-Pacific region implies limited export upside for Chinese acetic acid—exports are unlikely to serve as a meaningful demand buffer.
Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a sharp, pungent vinegar-like odor and moderate volatility. It is a simple carboxylic acid, miscible with water and most common organic solvents, with a melting point of 16.6 °C and a boiling point of 118.1 °C. It serves as a key chemical intermediate in the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), acetic anhydride, and acetate esters. Major application areas include polymer manufacturing (e.g., polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate), coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and food-grade preservatives. It is also used in the synthesis of terephthalic acid precursors and various agrochemical intermediates.
Acetic acid occurs in vinegar. It is producedin the destructive distillation of wood. Itfinds extensive application in the chemicalindustry. It is used in the manufacture ofcellulose acetate, acetate rayon, and variousacetate and acetyl compounds; as a solventfor gums, oils, and resins; as a food preservative in printing and dyeing; and in organicsynthesis.
Acetic acid, CH3COOH, is a colorless, volatile liquid at ambient temperatures. The pure compound, glacial acetic acid, owes its name to its ice-like crystalline appearance at 15.6°C. As generally supplied, acetic acid is a 6 N aqueous solution (about 36%) or a 1 N solution (about 6%). These or other dilutions are used in adding appropriate amounts of acetic acid to foods. Acetic acid is the characteristic acid of vinegar, its concentration ranging from 3.5 to 5.6%. Acetic acid and acetates are present in most plants and animal tissues in small but detectable amounts. They are normal metabolic intermediates, are produced by such bacterial species as Acetobacter and can be synthesized completely from carbon dioxide by such microorganisms as Clostridium thermoaceticum. The rat forms acetate at the rate of 1% of its body weight per day.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals - Acid Esters. See more about what is Acetic acid and Acetic acid SDS information.
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