In June, Acetic Anhydride prices in Belgium remained stable amid balanced demand and steady feedstock costs. Production continued uninterrupted, but nationwide strikes disrupted operations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, delaying chemical shipments. Strong pharmaceutical demand persisted, while non-pharma sectors like construction and coatings showed financial stress, limiting derivative uptake. Agrochemical demand stayed weak amid regulatory uncertainty. Despite adequate supply, weakening fundamentals and prolonged logistics issues are expected to pressure prices. Falling acetic acid costs and cautious buying sentiment point to a likely price decline in coming weeks, especially if pharmaceutical demand eases further.
Prices of Acetic Anhydride in Belgium remained stable amid matched domestic demand and constant feedstock prices in June. Additionally, the prices of feedstock Acetic acid and upstream methanol has remained stable leading to subdued production cost. These stable feedstocks allowed producers to keep regular production without interruption, enabling steady delivery into both domestic and export value streams.
Conversely, the drug industry observed solid demand. Belgium’s status as a global biopharma hub continued to underpin contract-based purchases from major manufacturers. UCB's USD 2 billion investment in new U.S. production capacity is evidence of long-term strategic realignment, with the purpose of de-risking against future supply chain risks emanating from soon-to-be emerging U.S.–EU trade tensions. Though this investment bears no direct implications on Belgian demand, it indicates a gradual change in the procurement dynamics which may influence regional consumption trends in the next few years.
In the latter half of June, logistical disruptions emerged as a nationwide strike impacted operations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium’s main gateway for Acetic Anhydride trade. By midday on June 25, vessels were delayed outside the port due to suspended pilot services at Vlissingen. The delays impacted both incoming and outgoing chemical shipments, growing substantially by noon.
While Acetic Anhydride production continuity prevailed, the broader industrial climate in Belgium showed mixed signals. According to official data, May recorded bankruptcies in the construction sector—the highest ever for the month—and insolvencies in manufacturing, the most since a long time. These indicators point to growing financial stress in non-pharma downstream industries, translating into softer demand for Acetic Anhydride derivatives used in coatings, solvents, and plasticizers.
Acetic Anhydride demand from agrochemicals was lackluster, with no significant uptick in acetate-based insecticide or herbicide businesses. Buyers of Acetic Anhydride took a cautious stance with prevailing regulatory uncertainty and weaker seasonal demand. Belgium's Acetic Anhydride market overall had decent supply, with prices underpinned by steady but lackluster production cost and continued downstream industries inquiries. There was no meaningful movement in the price of Acetic Anhydride currently quoting at USD 960 per MT FD Antwerp.
According to our data, Acetic Anhydride prices in Belgium are projected to decline in the coming weeks. These developments are likely to coincide with falling feedstock Acetic Acid prices and weaker performance in the Acetic Anhydride’s downstream pharmaceuticals industry. On the supply side, Acetic Anhydride’s production activities are expected to remain on a need-based basis amid continued adequate availability in the market, despite reported port congestion. Furthermore, the Antwerp port disruption is likely to persist, leading to delays in shipment schedules and elevated logistical costs for chemical exporters.
