According to the commodity market analysis system of Shengyishe, the price of acetic acid in December first rose and then fell. As of December 29th, the price was 3200 yuan/ton, which was 125 yuan/ton lower than the beginning of the month’s acetic acid price of 3325 yuan/ton, a decrease of 3.75%.

As of the end of the month, the price details of acetic acid market in various regions of China in December are as follows:

Region/ December 1st/ December 15th/ December 29th

South China region/ 3175 yuan/ton/. 3100 yuan/ton/. 3050 yuan/ton

North China region/ 3275 yuan/ton/ 3175 yuan/ton/ 3000 yuan/ton

Shandong region/ 3275 yuan/ton/ 3300 yuan/ton/ 3100 yuan/ton

Jiangsu region/ 3325 yuan/ton/ 3175 yuan/ton/ 3025 yuan/ton

Zhejiang region/ 3425 yuan/ton/ 3275 yuan/ton/ 3125 yuan/ton

In December, the acetic acid market showed a weak trend and prices fluctuated. At the beginning of the month, frequent malfunctions occurred in the acetic acid plant, causing acetic acid enterprises to operate at reduced loads, resulting in low inventory levels among manufacturers and a significant increase in acetic acid prices; Subsequently, the faulty equipment of the main factories in East China gradually recovered, and the market supply increased. At the same time, the northern region was affected by rainy and snowy weather, with limited transportation and accumulated inventory from manufacturers. There was a strong intention to discharge inventory, but downstream demand was weak. Coupled with the influence of buying up and not buying down sentiment, the market was clearly bearish, and the price of acetic acid was significantly reduced; In the latter half of the year, the failure of the acetic acid plant occurred again, and the operating rate of enterprises decreased. The price of acetic acid rebounded and increased, but due to limited demand, the price was lowered again at the end of the month.

The methanol market for raw materials fluctuates widely, and the price trend shows an “N” shape. As of December 29th, the average price in the domestic market was 2450 yuan/ton, which is a 2.20% decrease compared to the price of 2505 yuan/ton on December 1st. In the first half of the month, the expectation of methanol imports remained high, which suppressed market prices to a certain extent. Downstream purchases were mainly based on demand, and overall market price changes were limited. After the reduction of methanol prices, there was weak volatility; In the middle of the month, some regions were affected by heavy snowfall, resulting in limited transportation and slower delivery speeds. As a result, social inventory in consumer areas was low, leading to an increase in downstream delivery prices; In the latter half of the year, due to weak demand, methanol shipments were not smooth, and the market situation was weak and downward.

The downstream acetic anhydride market fluctuated and stabilized in December, with a price of 5912.50 yuan/ton on December 29th, an increase of 1.28% from the beginning of the month’s price of 5837.50 yuan/ton. During the month, acetic acid enterprises experienced frequent malfunctions, limited supply of acetic acid, and prices fluctuated. Due to cost constraints, acetic anhydride prices followed a broad consolidation trend. At the end of the month, acetic anhydride enterprises experienced equipment shutdowns, resulting in an increase in acetic anhydride prices. In December, acetic anhydride prices fluctuated and increased.

Analysts from Business Society believe that the operating rate of acetic acid enterprises is relatively high, manufacturers maintain active shipments, downstream purchasing sentiment is weak, demand for acetic acid is limited, sales pressure from acetic acid manufacturers is high, market transactions are insufficient, and the mentality of operators is weak. Under the supply-demand game, it is expected that the acetic acid market will be weak and consolidate in the future, and specific attention will be paid to downstream replenishment in the future.