US acetone demand-held segments remained resilient in early February as sturdy downstream pull and tighter merchant availability extended from January. Paint producers front-loaded purchases and steady demand from MMA/BPA-linked coatings chains supported robust inquiry into mid-January, while traders redirected cargoes toward forthcoming plastics capacity in Mexico and Brazil, tightening prompt availability. Adverse weather risks added near-term logistics uncertainty, reinforcing a constructive market tone as buyers positioned for immediate needs. Demand from coatings and resins remained a primary cushion, with construction activity channeling acetone into protective coatings and resins, and automotive downstream demand for coatings and MMA/BPA chains sustaining inquiries. Forward-buying by paint producers further constrained merchant supplies. Upstream factors provided mixed signals: rising benzene costs supported firmer spot levels, while any sustained propylene surplus presented a downside risk. Inventory tightening and cross-border redirections kept prompt balances tight, amplifying near-term momentum. The outlook remains firm in the near term, with vigilance on feedstock costs, logistics, and downstream demand shaping direction.
