China Acetic Anhydride Prices Rise 0.31% in mid February 2026, here is why

China's Acetic Anhydride market pushed marginally higher in mid-February 2026, with prices rising 0.31% as the market absorbed a sequence of supply and demand shifts that began in January. Early January saw buyers return from the holiday break and Acetic Anhydride inventories that were constrained by year-end maintenance, prompting a wave of restocking across downstream sectors. Mid-month, tighter effective supply from operational constraints and firmer upstream costs intensified buying, and although there was a gentle pullback at the end of January, overall momentum remained bullish. Per weekly assessment data, the Acetic Anhydride market moved from a robust January into a steadier but still upward bias in mid-February.

Acetic Anhydride demand patterns were a key support through the period, with pharmaceuticals consistently cited as the strongest driver of buying interest. The pharmaceuticals sector maintained firm procurement, encouraging restocking after the seasonal slowdown, while cellulose acetate and adhesives also showed pronounced appetite that absorbed available volumes. In contrast, textiles and specialty chemical applications provided steady, moderate support rather than surging demand. Agrochemical and acetate derivative buyers resumed purchasing in early January, contributing to the broad-based recovery in downstream activity. These sector dynamics, documented in ChemAnalyst data, underpinned much of the upward price pressure seen since the turn of the year.

On the supply side, producers entered January with thinner inventories after planned year-end maintenance, which constrained the immediate availability of Acetic Anhydride in the spot market. Operational constraints and maintenance at certain units further tightened effective supply through mid-month, limiting sellers' willingness to offer large volumes. Upstream feedstock pressures added a cost-push element: firmer acetic acid provided support to the upstream cost base, raising production costs for Acetic Anhydride and reinforcing higher finished offers. While there were no company-level outage figures disclosed in the period, the accumulated impact of maintenance and reduced operating rates clearly tightened market availability.

Weekly patterns of Acetic Anhydride show a clear narrative of strong gains through January as restocking and constrained supply intersected, followed by a correction and stabilization into early February, then a modest uptick in mid-February. Per weekly assessment data, Acetic Anhydride price movements through January were notably stronger before easing slightly at month-end; activity settled into a narrower range in early February and then increased modestly in the mid-February assessment, reflected in the 0.31% rise. Our analysts view these weekly shifts as indicative of a market transitioning from acute restocking into a period where supply fundamentals and feedstock cost trends will dictate near-term direction.

Looking ahead, the immediate outlook for Acetic Anhydride remains tilted to the upside based on current market trends, driven by ongoing low inventories, potential carryover impacts from maintenance, and firmer upstream feedstock costs that sustain production cost pressure. Downstream restocking and steady pharmaceutical demand are likely to keep Acetic Anhydride offers supported in the coming week, although momentum will be subject to changes in feedstock pricing and any shifts in operating rates. Analysts caution that the near-term trajectory is subject to Acetic Anhydride market conditions and could change if supply tightness eases or downstream purchasing patterns shift.