Acrylic acid

Acrylic Acid Market Dynamics Report (Recent Commodity Market Intelligence)

I. Price Trend
- Recent Price: As of July 28, 2026, the reference price for acrylic acid remains stable at RMB 8,350.00 per metric ton, representing a 12.58% increase from RMB 7,416.67/ton on July 1—marking three consecutive weeks of sideways consolidation.
- Historical Volatility: Between June 1 and July 1, prices declined 13.93% from a peak of RMB 8,616.67/ton; in early July, prices briefly bottomed at RMB 7,116.67/ton before rebounding rapidly.

II. Regional Price Differentials and Brand Premium
- Regional Prices:
- Shandong Province: Quotation range of RMB 5,300–7,500/ton; among domestic suppliers, Zhongshi Chemical (Shandong) offers the lowest general-grade acrylic acid at RMB 5,300/ton, while Beilu Hengsheng (Shandong) quotes the highest domestic price at RMB 7,500/ton.
- Zhejiang Province: Quotations concentrate within RMB 6,250–7,600/ton; Wanhua Chemical’s premium-grade acrylic acid, distributed via Ait (Zhejiang) Supply Chain, is priced at RMB 7,600/ton.
- Hubei Province: Records the nation’s lowest quotation at RMB 5,800/ton (Hubei Qibajiu Chemical).
- Brand Premium: Leading enterprises—including Wanhua Chemical and Qilu Kaitai—command significant brand premiums. For example, Zhuoyu Chemical (Shandong), distributing Qilu Kaitai-sourced material, quotes RMB 7,100/ton—30–40% higher than standard domestic grades.

III. Market Structural Characteristics
- Product Segmentation:
- General-grade acrylic acid (top-grade) trades predominantly within RMB 5,300–6,300/ton, accounting for over 60% of total market transaction volume.
- Premium-grade acrylic acid (purity ≥99.7%) is quoted between RMB 6,200–7,300/ton, primarily supplied to SAP (superabsorbent polymer) manufacturers.
- Specialty specifications—including acrylic acid for waterproof coatings and ultra-high-purity grades (99.99%), sold under negotiated terms—represent less than 5% of total market share.
- Competitive Landscape: In Shandong, a “tri-polar” structure has emerged: Wanhua Chemical, Qilu Kaitai, and Satellite Chemical collectively control ~45% of provincial capacity, conferring markedly stronger pricing power compared with small- and medium-sized producers.

IV. Correlated Product Linkages
- Acrylic Esters:
- Butyl acrylate: Quoted between RMB 6,400–10,500/ton; Yeyang Chemical (Shandong) offers the lowest domestic price at RMB 6,400/ton, while Satellite Chemical (Zhejiang), distributed by Ait (Zhejiang) Supply Chain, commands the top-end quote at RMB 10,500/ton.
- Ethyl acrylate: Quoted between RMB 8,000–9,900/ton; Yeyang Chemical (Shandong) and Hongyang Chemical (Shandong) jointly establish a floor price of RMB 8,000/ton, whereas Langcheng Chemical (Shandong), distributing Wanhua-sourced material, leads the premium segment at RMB 9,900/ton.
- Cost Transmission: The price spread between acrylic acid and butyl acrylate remains within the healthy industry range of RMB 1,500–2,500/ton—indicating no significant cost pressure or margin inversion.

V. Market Drivers
- Supply Side: Plant operating rates across East China and North China remained steady above 85% in July; Wanhua Chemical’s new 400,000-ton/year facility is currently undergoing commissioning and is scheduled for official commercial operation by mid-August.
- Demand Side: Downstream SAP sector maintains high operating rates (~70%), whereas paint and adhesive sectors experienced a 5–8 percentage-point decline due to summer heat-related production constraints.
- Inventory Status: Industry inventory turnover days declined from 18 days in June to 12 days; inventories at major Shandong-based producers now sit below safety thresholds.

VI. Analysis & Outlook
- Short-Term Outlook: Prices are expected to oscillate within RMB 8,300–8,500/ton through early August. While Wanhua’s upcoming capacity ramp-up will cap upside potential, tight inventory levels provide robust floor support.
- Medium-Term Risks: Three key concerns warrant close monitoring:
1. Traditional seasonal demand slowdown beginning mid-August—paint sector operating rates may fall further to below 60%.
2. Import competition: China’s acrylic acid imports rose 12% MoM in June, driven largely by low-cost supplies from South Korea and Singapore.
3. Propylene feedstock volatility: Should international oil prices breach USD 85/barrel, renewed cost-driven price pressure may re-emerge.
- Long-Term Trend: The quarterly price center is projected to shift upward to RMB 8,800–9,200/ton in Q4 2026, supported by:
- Synergistic effects from Wanhua’s new facility integration across the value chain;
- EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) accelerating domestic process upgrades—further consolidating market share toward industry leaders;
- Concentrated project commencement under China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” in construction sector, expected to boost demand for waterproof coating applications by >15%.