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China and the United States are the leading exporters of acetonitrile, collectively accounting for over half of global exports in recent years, while Germany, South Korea, and India represent the largest importers. Acetonitrile prices have remained relatively stable amid steady demand from pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing sectors. Exports from China have increased moderately since 2022, while U.S. export volumes have held steady, reflecting consistent supply capacity and sustained international demand.
Acetonitrile Recent Commodity Market Intelligence Analysis
I. Market Price Dynamics
1. East China Region
- July 7, 2026: Industrial-grade acetonitrile mainstream prices ranged from RMB 8,000–8,200/ton (bulk, ex-works), down by RMB 100–200/ton compared to the previous trading day.
- July 1, 2026: Prices stood at RMB 8,400–8,500/ton; the upper end declined by RMB 100/ton.
- Price Trend: Continuous decline since early July, with a cumulative drop of approximately RMB 400–500/ton; weak demand is the primary driver.
2. Shandong Region
- July 6, 2026: Industrial-grade acetonitrile mainstream prices ranged from RMB 7,900–8,100/ton (water-free, ex-works), down by RMB 200–300/ton compared to the previous trading day.
- Price Trend: Decline aligned with East China; inter-regional price spread narrowed to RMB 100–200/ton.
3. National Quotation Variance
- Highest Quotation: Weifang Chengxin Chemical Co., Ltd. (product of Jiangsu Sinopec Srbond Chemical Co., Ltd.)—RMB 9,500/ton (Shandong Province).
- Lowest Quotation: Hubei Qiba Jiu Chemical Co., Ltd. (domestically produced)—RMB 6,000/ton (Wuhan City, Hubei Province).
- Mainstream Quotation Range: RMB 7,400–8,500/ton; pricing differentiation is influenced by brand, purity level, and delivery location.
II. Market Driving Factor Analysis
1. Weak Demand Side
- Downstream industries—including agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial extraction—exhibit low procurement enthusiasm; buyers adopt just-in-time restocking strategies, resulting in sluggish market activity.
- Demand for high-purity acetonitrile (HPLC grade) is supported by pharmaceutical quality control and biotech R&D; however, overall growth remains insufficient to offset the decline in industrial-grade demand.
2. Supply-Side Pressure
- By-product acetonitrile operating rate stands at 73.88%; synthetic-route operating rate at 65%, maintaining elevated supply volumes.
- Acrylonitrile industry losses have heightened expectations of production cuts among by-product acetonitrile producers; however, no substantive supply contraction has yet materialized.
3. Cost and Profitability
- Synthetic-route acetonitrile production profit has declined to RMB 695/ton (as of March 2026), down RMB 188/ton from prior levels, weakening cost support.
- Fluctuations in acrylonitrile (raw material) prices transmit to the acetonitrile market, but strong downstream bargaining power impedes effective cost pass-through.
III. Segmented Market Dynamics
1. HPLC-Grade Acetonitrile
- Global market size was USD 177 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 248 million by 2032, representing a CAGR of 5.11%.
- The pharmaceutical sector accounts for 41.4% of demand; steady growth in biotechnology and food safety testing applications is driving demand upgrading toward high-purity products.
2. Industrial-Grade Acetonitrile
- Pricing is predominantly driven by supply-demand dynamics; since July 2026, prices have accelerated downward; inter-regional spreads initially widened then gradually converged.
- Export negotiations have not yet commenced; domestic demand remains the dominant market driver.
IV. Future Trend Outlook
1. Short Term (1–2 Weeks)
- Prices are likely to remain weak and range-bound, with mainstream prices in East China and Shandong potentially declining further to RMB 7,500–8,000/ton.
- Absent meaningful demand improvement, suppliers may implement additional price cuts to stimulate sales.
2. Medium Term (1–3 Months)
- Monitor the impact of acrylonitrile industry losses on by-product acetonitrile supply; if production cuts materialize, prices may bottom out and rebound.
- Autumn inventory buildup by the pharmaceutical sector could release demand, supporting a recovery in high-purity acetonitrile demand.
3. Long Term (1 Year)
- Global acetonitrile market size is projected to grow from RMB 1.866 billion in 2023 to RMB 2.446 billion in 2029, representing a CAGR of 4.5%.
- China’s share of the global market is expected to increase, accelerating domestic substitution; competitive landscape for high-purity products will shift toward comprehensive advantages—namely product quality stability, regulatory documentation, and responsive local service.
V. Risks and Opportunities
1. Risk Factors
- Significant volatility in acrylonitrile raw material prices, leading to erosion of cost support.
- Prolonged weakness in downstream demand and delayed recovery of export markets.
2. Opportunity Factors
- Upgrading of pharmaceutical quality standards is boosting demand for high-purity acetonitrile.
- Domestic high-purity solvent manufacturers are strengthening their competitive edge via cost efficiency, reliable delivery, and localized service—contributing to increased market share.
Acetonitrile is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a faint, sweet, ether-like odor. It is a polar aprotic organic solvent and the simplest aliphatic nitrile. With a boiling point of 81.6 °C and a melting point of −45 °C, it is fully miscible with water and most common organic solvents. Acetonitrile is widely used as a solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and as a reaction medium in the synthesis of intermediates for agrochemicals and fine chemicals. It also serves as a precursor in the production of acetamidine, thiamine, and other nitrogen-containing compounds.
In organic synthesis as starting material for acetophenone, alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid, thiamine, acetamidine. To remove tars, phenols, & coloring matter from petroleum hydrocarbons which are not soluble in acetonitrile. To extract fatty acids from fish liver oils & other animals & vegetable oils. Can be used to recrystallize steroids. As an indifferent medium in physicochemical investigations. Wherever a polar solvent having a rather high dielectric constant is required. As medium for promoting reactions involving ionization. As a solvent in non-aqueous titrations. As a nonaqueous solvent for inorganic salts.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals - Intermediates. See more about what is Acetonitrile and Acetonitrile SDS information.
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