Adipic acid prices softened in China while remaining stable in Germany and the United States during the week ending October 3, 2025. Weak downstream demand and stable feedstock costs weighed on market sentiment, with no production disruptions being reported.
Adipic acid prices softened in China during the previous week due to weak demand and stable-to-soft production costs. Spot inventories remained ample, and upstream benzene and cyclohexanone prices were range-bound at the low end, offering no cost support.
The ongoing Golden Week holidays decelerated trading activities significantly, which further dented market momentum. Downstream demand in the PA66 sector remained weak, with converters showing poor buying interest and taking a conservative stance. This lack of activity perpetuated prolonged downturns in transaction volumes, reaffirming downward pressure on Adipic acid prices.
Despite well-balanced supply and manageable logistics, the lack of underlying demand drivers perpetuated subdued market conditions, with sellers offering price concessions to invoke modest buying interest.
In the US, however, Adipic acid prices were stable, supported by stable production economics and a balanced supply situation. Feedstock costs of benzene and cyclohexanone did not witness any significant shift, allowing producers to maintain viable operating margins.
Demand trends for Adipic acid, however, remained weak. The automotive sector, as it entered the final quarter of 2025, witnessed dealers struggling in a challenging environment with declining sales volumes, elevated vehicle prices, and changing buyer behaviour.
The PA66 chain —one of the significant outlets for Adipic acid —witnessed reduced consumption as automakers slashed procurement. Export trade was also muted, with no trade flow changes of note. The overall U.S. market was neutral in tone, with stable pricing indicating cautious buying and stable production fundamentals.
Germany tracked the U.S. trend, with Adipic acid prices stable in the face of weak demand and stable feedstock prices. Cyclohexanone prices were unchanged, while benzene fell slightly, eroding any cost-side support for Adipic acid.
On the consumption side, the automotive industry remained under pressure, specifically in the electric vehicles division, where demand was weak throughout Europe. Margin was further strained by competitive pricing pressures from China, which led the manufacturers to cut down the procurement of raw materials, including engineering plastics that are associated with Adipic acid.
External issues added to the woes, with more than half of companies polled giving a negative contribution from U.S. tariff policies. These trade concerns added to the cautiousness, keeping market activity muted and ushering in stable prices.
Going ahead, Adipic acid prices is expected to remain under pressure in China, with post-festival demand pickup on a gradual trajectory. Prices in the U.S. and Germany may stabilize but continue to be vulnerable to direction in automotive demand as well as the development of trade policy. Adipic acid market is anticipated to move in a narrow price band influenced by cautious buying and restrained consumption unless feedstock costs rise, or downstream industries return to strength.
