Acetonitrile markets in the United States moved decisively higher through March, driven by persistent pharmaceutical demand and upstream disruptions that tightened effective supply. Early in the month, gains were modest as freight surcharges and risk premia elevated costs; mid-month FDA API campaigns underpinned solvent offtake. Late March disruptions, notably Strait of Hormuz delays, reduced feedstock flows and constrained co-product availability, reinforcing bullish momentum. Expanding electric-vehicle electrolyte production and demand from UHPLC instrumentation added incremental pull. Overall sentiment shifted to a supportive stance, with constrained crude output and steady industrial buying into month-end. The pharmaceuticals sector remained the primary driver, accounting for 45% of domestic demand and keeping solvent purchases robust. Supply-side pressures included elevated inland ammonia costs widening spreads to Gulf Coast hubs and squeezing margins; naphtha gains raised feedstock inflation for gas-intensive units and lifted co-product offers. The near-term outlook remains upward-biased, supported by ongoing disruptions and strong pharmaceutical demand, though logistics or feedstock risks could ease tightness.
