For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
During Q1 2025, acetic acid prices in the USA declined consistently from January to March, averaging USD 625/MT FOB Texas. This marked a 13.3% quarterly drop and a 4.9% year-on-year decline, driven by persistent supply-demand imbalances and muted downstream activity.
Stable methanol prices and subdued natural gas costs capped production costs, yet demand weakness from vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and acetate sectors—especially in February—kept buyer sentiment bearish. Construction-related coatings demand improved slightly in January, but rising labor and building costs in February triggered procurement slowdowns.
Operationally, plants ran at slightly reduced rates to balance ample inventories, while international trade disruptions and freight delays further complicated stock movement. Despite brief restocking interest in March, quarterly market momentum stayed lackluster. In conclusion, Q1 2025 reflected cost-driven market stability overshadowed by sluggish demand, signaling cautious optimism for recovery if construction and coatings segments rebound alongside policy clarity in Q2.
APAC
In Q1 2025, acetic acid prices in China averaged USD 385/MT FOB Qingdao, slightly higher than Q4 2024, but lower than Q1 2024, reflecting a 1% quarter-on-quarter increase and a 5.6% year-on-year decline. The marginal rise from the previous quarter was driven by temporary supply tightness due to multiple plant shutdowns in January. However, weak downstream demand from PTA, acetate esters, and acetic anhydride sectors capped price gains. Despite a stable methanol feedstock market and consistent logistics, market sentiment remained cautious amid high inventory levels and minimal procurement activity. Planned capacity expansions and muted downstream utilization kept the supply-demand balance tilted toward oversupply, pressuring price resilience. March witnessed steady shipments due to postponed maintenance and firm production output, while buyers continued to favor hand-to-mouth procurement. Export volumes grew amid reduced imports, underscoring China’s reliance on external markets to absorb surplus material. In conclusion, Q1 2025 acetic acid prices in China remained rangebound, reflecting steady supply and subdued demand. Without a significant revival in downstream activity, market stabilization is expected to persist in Q2.
Europe
Acetic acid prices in Germany witnessed a steady decline through Q1 2025, averaging EUR 700/MT FD Hamburg, significantly lower than Q4 2024 and Q1 2024—a 15.2% quarterly drop and 9.3% year-on-year fall. The price erosion stemmed from persistent demand weakness, subdued construction activity, and ample supply from American imports. Despite stable methanol and carbon monoxide feedstock costs, producers operated at regular capacities with little pricing power. Imports remained uninterrupted, and declining transatlantic freight rates enhanced competitiveness, yet downstream industries such as PTA, VAM, and acetate esters offered minimal procurement support. The paints and coatings segment showed some activity recovery in early Q1, but Germany's construction sector continued to contract, suppressing raw material demand. Structural challenges—high inflation, elevated interest rates, labor shortages, and shrinking permits—kept the outlook bearish. Additionally, trade tensions and tariff impositions with the U.S. further disrupted sentiment and investment confidence. Overall, Q1 2025 reflected a supply-heavy, demand-light market, with prices under pressure due to limited downstream revival and macroeconomic constraints across industrial segments.
MEA
Acetic acid prices in Saudi Arabia averaged USD 392/MT FOB Al Jubail during Q1 2025, reflecting a 2.1% increase from Q4 2024’s average, but remaining flat year-on-year when compared to Q1 2024. This marginal quarterly uptick was supported by stable feedstock methanol costs and steady domestic production, while demand from construction and automotive sectors offered moderate support. Despite planned global capacity additions in APAC creating broader market oversupply, Saudi producers maintained balanced output. Domestic logistics functioned smoothly, with regular export flows and no significant supply disruptions. In January and February, strong infrastructure momentum under Vision 2030, along with EV-linked automotive investments, sustained solvent and coating-related acetic acid consumption. However, price growth was capped by weak international demand and minimal downstream inquiries, especially from acetate esters and anhydride applications. Imports remained limited due to holiday disruptions and tight availability in Asia. In summary, Q1 2025 was marked by localized demand support and stable pricing. Absent major feedstock or export shifts, prices are likely to remain steady, with future dynamics hinging on global supply rebalancing and industrial recovery.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, acetic acid prices in the USA remained stable, averaging around USD 700-730 per MT FOB Texas, supported by adequate supply but weighed down by weak downstream demand in sectors like Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM), PTA, and construction-related applications.
Despite anticipated increases in methanol feedstock costs, sluggish downstream trading activity and constrained purchasing power limited significant price growth. Production operated at stable to slightly reduced rates, aligning with subdued demand, while broader manufacturing challenges, including declining manufacturing indexes values, weaker exports, and rising input costs, further strained the market. The construction sector showed mixed signals, with overall activity remaining slow but planning activity reflecting year-over-year growth and growing optimism for 2025 due to stabilizing financing conditions.
While upstream cost pressures were moderate, downstream weakness kept the market in a rangebound state, with cautious optimism for recovery in the coming year. Looking ahead, cautious optimism in construction planning and expectations of improved financing conditions may support moderate demand recovery in 2025. However, potential volatility in trade policies and continued geopolitical tensions remain risks to market stability.
Asia
In Q4 2024, acetic acid prices in China remained subdued, averaging around USD 350-400 per MT FOB Qingdao, as high inventory levels, oversupply, and weak downstream demand from sectors like acetate esters and vinyl acetate weighed on the market. Prices saw slight recovery in mid-to-late November due to reduced production in Shandong and lower inventories, but demand remained inconsistent, particularly from the struggling construction and real estate sectors. Manufacturing activity showed modest improvement, supported by government stimulus, but weak foreign sales and high shipping costs limited growth. Despite plans for downstream capacity expansions in 2025, oversupply and market imbalances are expected to sustain price volatility. The construction sector’s contraction contributed to low acetic acid demand, with real estate investment continuing to decline despite government efforts to stimulate the market. High inventory levels, poor consolidation in the acetate market, and cautious market sentiment kept recovery prospects limited. Looking forward, planned expansions in downstream capacities, such as PTA and acetate esters, may offer some support in 2025, but oversupply is expected to persist, sustaining price volatility and market imbalances.
Europe
In Q4 2024, acetic acid prices in Germany exhibited a declining trend, driven by weak downstream demand, particularly from the construction sector, and an oversupply in the market. Prices stabilized toward the end of the quarter, averaging lower due to subdued activity in downstream applications like paints and coatings. While Methanex’s monthly updates indicated rising methanol prices, production cost pressures had a limited impact on acetic acid prices due to weak demand and cautious purchasing. The construction sector faced significant headwinds, with sharp declines in new orders, workforce reductions, and logistical challenges further dampening demand for industrial chemicals. Residential and commercial construction saw steep contractions, with high interest rates, material shortages, and geopolitical uncertainties adding to economic pressures. Manufacturing activity in the Eurozone, including Germany, remained sluggish, with declining factory output and order volumes contributing to oversupply and cautious sentiment in the market. Looking ahead, limited demand recovery is expected before 2025, with supply-side adjustments likely to dominate the market in the near term.
MEA
In Q4 2024, acetic acid prices in Saudi Arabia throughout have increased, driven by high demand from the downstream industry amid ample stock levels and steady feedstock methanol prices, as reflected in Methanex’s monthly pricing. Domestic plants operated at stable rates, and consistent imports ensured a well-supplied market. Despite global volatility, Saudi Arabia's construction sector maintained strong momentum, fueled by significant infrastructure investments under Vision 2030, including projects like NEOM and the Riyadh Metro. Increased construction demand boosted downstream applications such as paints and coatings, helping to offset challenges in other sectors. Manufacturing activity also showed resilience, with rising new orders and foreign sales reaching their highest levels in over a year. Input costs rose moderately due to higher material expenses, but intense competition limited price increases. Looking forward, strong demand from construction and robust non-oil private sector performance are expected to support market stability, although supply-side constraints and geopolitical risks may introduce short-term volatility. Thus, the prices the acetic acid was stated at USD 370-420 per MT FOB AL Jubail.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Acetic Acid pricing landscape in North America witnessed a notable uptrend in the first half of Q3 while prices remained subdued in the second half, driven by several key factors.
Market dynamics were influenced by a combination of increased demand from various industries, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors, alongside supply constraints and rising production costs. This resulted in a 9.3% price surge compared to the same quarter last year. Within the USA, which experienced the most significant price fluctuations, the quarter saw a 0.8% increase from the previous quarter and a 1% price rise between the first and second halves. This trend indicates a consistent upward trajectory in Acetic Acid prices, reflecting a positive pricing environment.
The latest quarter-ending price for Acetic Acid (Glacial) FOB Louisiana in the USA stood at USD 722/MT, highlighting the sustained bullish sentiment in the market. The quarter's performance underscores a robust demand-supply balance, cost dynamics, and sector-specific requirements contributing to the overall price escalation.
APAC
In the third quarter of 2024, Acetic Acid prices in the APAC region have exhibited a mixed trend, with Japan experiencing the most significant price fluctuations. This market shift has been influenced by several factors, including a surge in demand from various industries, particularly the acetate sector, which is extensively used in construction and manufacturing, alongside declining prices of feedstock methanol. Additionally, limited supply due to production constraints has contributed to rising prices. The depreciation of the local currency has further impacted import costs, pushing prices higher. In Japan, Acetic Acid prices have seen a substantial decline, with a percentage change of -40.7% compared to the same quarter last year and a -3% change from the previous quarter in 2024. However, the latter half of the quarter experienced a 0.2% price increase compared to the first half, indicating improved market sentiment. The quarter-ending price for Acetic Acid (Glacial) CFR Osaka in Japan stands at USD 397/MT, reflecting an upward trajectory in prices during the second half of the quarter after a significant decline in the first half.
Europe
The Acetic Acid market in Europe during Q3 2024 exhibited mixed trends, with prices rising in the first half and declining in the second half. This fluctuation was largely attributed to the halt in production at Celanese plants, a major Acetic Acid producer, in June. This disruption resulted in lower inventories and consequently higher Acetic Acid prices in the first half of Q3 2024. However, as production resumed, inventories increased, leading to a drop in prices during the second half of Q3 2024. Several key factors influenced this trend, including lower upstream methanol prices, reduced import costs from China, and weak demand from downstream sectors such as plastics and polyester industries. Additionally, an oversupply of PTA due to resumed plant operations and a decline in crude oil prices further dampened market sentiment. The Netherlands, in particular, experienced significant price changes during this quarter, with Acetic Acid prices in the region Increased by 10% compared to the same quarter last year and a 1% decrease from the previous quarter in 2024. The price comparison between the first and second halves of the quarter revealed a decline of 1%. The quarter-ending price for Acetic Acid (Glacial) FD Rotterdam in the Netherlands stood at USD 843 per MT, reflecting the overall downward pricing environment in the region.
MEA
The Acetic Acid pricing landscape in the MEA region during Q3 2024 has witnessed a notable uptrend, driven by several key factors. Strong demand from various industries, particularly the construction sector, has been a significant influencer, with increased inquiries and robust market activity propelling prices upwards. Additionally, stable feedstock costs and an overall positive economic outlook have further supported the price surge. In Saudi Arabia specifically, the market has experienced the most pronounced price changes, with a consistent upward trajectory throughout the quarter. This can be attributed to the Kingdom's thriving construction industry, which has shown resilience and sustained growth, contributing to heightened demand for Acetic Acid. While there has been decrease of 3.1% from the same quarter last year and a marginal positive change of 1.6% from the previous quarter in 2024, the comparison between the first and second half of Q3 reveals a notable 5% increase in prices. As Q3 draws to a close, the latest quarter-ending price stands at USD 364/MT of Acetic Acid FOB Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia, reflecting a firmly increasing pricing environment in line with regional trends.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American Acetic Acid market experienced a notable uptick in prices, driven by several key factors contributing to an overall bullish sentiment. The primary catalyst for this surge was the escalating cost of feedstock Methanol, compounded by heightened production expenses due to increased natural gas prices. Market dynamics were further influenced by robust demand from downstream sectors, particularly the construction industry, which consistently bolstered the need for Acetic Acid derivatives such as Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate. Although the inventory levels remained relatively low, a strategic restocking approach mitigated any potential supply disruptions, maintaining a balanced market flow.
Focusing on the USA, which observed the most significant price variations, the quarter's performance was marked by an 5% rise in prices from the previous quarter in 2024, reflecting a clear upward trajectory. However, compared to the same quarter last year, there was a slight decline of 3%, indicating a longer-term market correction. Seasonality played a critical role, with the first half of the quarter recording a 3% lower price than the latter half, driven by increased industrial activity and restocking efforts.
Conclusively, the pricing environment for Acetic Acid in the USA has been positive, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 716/MT FOB Texas. This stability, alongside a strategic response to changing market dynamics, underscores a resilient market adapting to evolving economic conditions. Despite some historical fluctuations, the quarter has signified robust growth and resilience, ensuring a stable supply to meet domestic and international demands.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Acetic Acid market in the APAC region has experienced a notable decline in prices, driven primarily by a combination of factors. Predominantly, weak cost support from the feedstock Methanol has been a significant contributor. Upstream methanol prices remained volatile, causing downstream production costs to fluctuate unfavourably. Additionally, high inventory levels pressured traders to offer discounts, further compounded by subdued demand from key downstream sectors like construction and acetate industries. External market dynamics, including China's economic activities and coal price trends, have played pivotal roles, as rising coal prices increased production costs, leading to cautious procurement by buyers. Focusing on Japan, where the maximum price changes were observed, the market exhibited a distinct downward trend. The overall sentiment in Japan was negative, with Acetic Acid prices decreasing by 11% compared to the same quarter last year and by 4% from the previous quarter in 2024. Seasonality also played a part, as the second half of the quarter saw a slight decline of 1% from the first half, reflecting consistent downward pressure on prices. This decline was further influenced by low demand from the construction sector, despite a slight uptick in manufacturing activities. The quarter-ending price for Acetic Acid (Glacial) CFR Osaka stood at USD 411/MT, marking a period of overall negative pricing environment driven by a combination of high inventories, fluctuating feedstock costs, and subdued demand."
Europe
In Q2 2024, the Acetic Acid market in Europe displayed a persistent upward price trajectory. The primary drivers behind this bullish sentiment included stable methanol prices, consistent downstream demand from the construction sector, and the European Central Bank's maintenance of a 4.5% interest rate since 2024. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and the ongoing Red Sea crisis induced supply chain disruptions, contributing to elevated shipping costs and logistical complexities. These factors collectively fostered an environment where traders could command higher prices, despite a backdrop of declining upstream crude oil and methanol costs.
Focusing on Germany, the Acetic Acid market experienced the most pronounced price changes within the region. The overall trend was marked by increasing prices, buoyed by sustained construction demand and foreign direct investment, despite labour shortages and strike actions within the sector. Seasonality also played a role, with heightened restocking activities in anticipation of the holiday season. The correlation of these factors resulted in a 4% increase from the previous quarter and a 4% price rise between the first and second half of Q2 2024.
However, compared to the same quarter last year, prices dipped by 9%, reflecting a volatile market environment influenced by fluctuating demand and supply chain challenges. Despite these challenges, the quarter-ending price stood at USD 785/MT for Acetic Acid (Glacial) CPT Hamburg, underscoring a stable pricing environment with a positive outlook. This upward trend suggests a cautiously optimistic market sentiment, driven by robust domestic production and strategic restocking activities amidst global economic uncertainties.
MEA
In Q2 2024, the Acetic Acid market in the MEA region faced significant fluctuations, influenced by various complex factors. Despite initial stability, the market saw rising prices due to increased production costs fuelled by a surge in upstream crude oil prices. Concurrently, feedstock methanol prices experienced a marked rise, further escalating manufacturing expenses. Strong demand from downstream industries, particularly the robust construction and acetate sectors, exerted upward pressure on prices, even as the global economic recovery remained tepid. However, the market was also characterized by substantial inventory levels, leading to periodic price stabilization efforts by traders.
In Saudi Arabia, where price dynamics were most pronounced, Acetic Acid prices demonstrated notable volatility. The overall trend was marked by periodic increases driven by heightened demand from the booming construction sector. However, the market also experienced downward pressures due to high inventory levels and stable methanol prices. Seasonality played a significant role, with increased demand in the latter half of the quarter due to restocking activities and heightened construction projects. Despite these fluctuations, prices in Q2 2024 reflected a sentiment of moderate stability, with a negative change from the same quarter last year, and a negative decrease from the previous quarter in 2024. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a 2% increase, indicating a gradual upward trend. Concluding the quarter, Acetic Acid prices stood at USD 358/MT FOB Al Jubail, underscoring a generally stable pricing environment amid fluctuating market conditions.
