For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Acetone Prices in North America
Why did the price of Acetone change in December 2025 in North America?
- Supply increase from phenol-acetone restarts and duty-free imports expanded availability, contributing to December price weakness.
- Falling benzene and crude reduced production costs, eroding price floors and enabling lower spot offers.
- High terminal inventories and muted coatings and BPA demand led buyers to delay purchases, pressuring markets.
Acetone Prices in APAC
- In Japan, the Acetone Price Index fell by 4.5% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued downstream demand, inventories.
- The average Acetone price for the quarter was approximately USD 1273.67/MT, signaling muted buying patterns.
- Acetone Spot Price movements were constrained by regional competition, keeping the domestic Price Index soft.
- Acetone Price Forecast indicates mild further downside into early Q1, barring any sudden upstream disruptions.
- Acetone Production Cost Trend eased as benzene and cumene weakened, reducing manufacturers' marginal cost pressures.
- Acetone Demand Outlook remains weak with BPA and coatings deferring purchases, limiting spot offtake volumes.
- Port inventories and steady plant runs pressured trade margins, keeping the Acetone Price Index subdued.
- Export inquiries remained weak and competitive Asian offers constrained Japanese margins despite stable producer operations.
Why did the price of Acetone change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Subdued downstream procurement in BPA and coatings reduced demand, directly weighing on acetone price levels.
- Lower benzene and cumene feedstock costs diminished production cost support, allowing sellers flexibility to discount.
- Efficient logistics and steady domestic output, alongside weak export inquiries, encouraged destocking and pressured prices.
Acetone Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Acetone Price Index fell by 15.2% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting broad downstream demand weakness.
- The average Acetone price for the quarter was approximately USD 631.00/MT, delivered FD Karlsruhe, reflecting continued spot market softness.
- Elevated inventories pressured Acetone Spot Price, leaving the regional Price Index weak despite occasional logistical disruptions.
- Near-term Acetone Price Forecast suggests modest downside risk as weak European demand offsets limited cost support from feedstocks.
- Acetone Production Cost Trend softened as benzene and cumene eased, providing minimal support to regional producer margins.
- Acetone Demand Outlook remains subdued with coatings, BPA and automotive offtake curtailed, sustaining hand-to-mouth procurement behavior.
- High distributor and terminal inventories pressured the Price Index, while competitive imports suppressed domestic offers and export volumes.
- Local Gladbeck and Marl operations largely online, limiting supply shocks and keeping the Acetone Price Index contained.
Why did the price of Acetone change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Weak downstream consumption in coatings, BPA and automotive caused low order books and reduced acetone offtake.
- Competitive discounted imports and elevated distributor inventories pressured spot values and constrained domestic pricing power.
- Benzene and cumene cost weakness offered scant production support, while logistics remained broadly operational.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
Why did the price of Acetone change in September 2025 in North America?
- Persistent domestic oversupply from run rates reduced spot tightness, driving downward pressure on Price Index.
- Weak downstream demand from BPA, MMA and coatings decreased offtake, limiting recovery in spot pricing.
- Lower benzene and crude softened cumene feedstock costs, reducing production expenses and easing price momentum.
APAC
- In Japan, the Acetone Price Index fell by 6.21% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued downstream demand and elevated inventories.
- The average Acetone price for the quarter was approximately USD 649.67/MT, reflecting lower spot liquidity.
- Balanced domestic runs and steady imports kept the Acetone Spot Price under pressure amid weak BPA and coatings demand.
- Acetone Price Forecast indicates limited upside near-term given persistent oversupply and muted seasonal buying across sectors.
- Rising CFR naphtha elevated the Acetone Production Cost Trend, partially offsetting crude-related downward pressure on margins.
- Acetone Demand Outlook remains weak through Q3 as BPA, coatings and industrial solvents show subdued procurement behaviour.
- High domestic inventories and soft export demand depressed the Acetone Price Index, limiting merchant spot activity and restocking.
- Selective maintenance and periodic export cargo arrivals could intermittently tighten supply, supporting short-lived Acetone spot recoveries.
Why did the price of Acetone change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Steady plant operations and ample feedstock maintained supply, extending downward pressure on domestic acetone pricing.
- Weak downstream BPA, paints and coatings demand reduced offtake, increasing inventories and limiting upward price movement.
- Higher CFR naphtha and currency dynamics increased production costs, partially counterbalancing weaker global crude influences.
Europe
- In Germany, the Acetone Price Index fell by 13.18% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting persistent bearish market conditions.
- The average Acetone price for the quarter was approximately USD 744.33/MT, reflecting elevated inventories domestically.
- Acetone Spot Price movement was muted as distributors destocked, exerting downward pressure on Price Index.
- Acetone Price Forecast points to limited upside due to persistent inventories and weak downstream demand.
- Acetone Production Cost Trend eased as benzene and crude softened, offset by higher energy costs.
- Acetone Demand Outlook remains subdued as BPA, MMA and coatings sectors operate at low run-rates.
- High inventories at Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg pressured exports, softening regional Acetone Price Index downward.
- Major producers operated at normal rates, limiting disruption despite INEOS Gladbeck closure signaling supply risk.
Why did the price of Acetone change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Oversupply and distributor destocking amid weak BPA and MMA demand reduced spot offtake across regions.
- Declining benzene and crude lowered production costs, easing Acetone Production Cost Trend without supporting prices.
- Port congestion, terminal disruptions and just-in-time buying constrained flows, influencing availability and regional price dynamics.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
- The U.S. acetone price index continued a downward trend with the prices valued at USD 1024/MT FOB Texas at quarter-end.
- This price stability was amid chronically soft downstream demand from industries such as automotive, coatings and chemicals, with market mood generally bearish.
- Acetone spot price was stationary with an equilibrium in supply and subdued demand, even while higher-up feedstocks such as benzene and propylene were adequately available.
- The acetone demand outlook in North America continued to show signs of weakness, particularly in key consuming segments such as BPA, MMA, and solvents.
- Despite some upward cost pressure from rising natural gas prices, these were offset by factors such as oversupply, uninterrupted plant operations, and weak purchasing interest from buyers.
- Acetone production cost trend remained relatively flat, as feedstock availability (propylene, cumene, and benzene) faced no significant disruptions and refinery operations remained stable.
- U.S. phenol–acetone plants operated at just 57–65% of capacity in July, reflecting structurally weak demand and excessive supply in the market.
- Overall, the acetone price index in the U.S. remained under downward pressure due to a mix of oversupply, cautious downstream buying, and limited export opportunities.
APAC
- The Acetone Price Index in South Korea remained mostly stable throughout July 2025, with prices reflecting subdued market activity and ample domestic availability.
- The Acetone Spot Price showed little movement due to balanced supply and weak demand from sectors such as automotive, construction, and consumer electronics. Although upstream benzene costs remained firm, they failed to push acetone prices higher.
- The price decline observed earlier in May (1.4%) continued to influence July sentiment. This decrease was mainly attributed to macroeconomic challenges, the closure of key downstream MDI plants (e.g., Jinhu’s 200,000 t/y unit), and soft global trade activity.
- The Acetone Production Cost Trend stayed relatively flat during July. Despite rising freight rates—up by 40–50% on export routes—stable energy tariffs, no upstream outages (steam crackers, catalyst lines), and consistent labor availability kept cost volatility in check.
- Market participants reported no significant feedstock disruptions (benzene, propylene, cumene), maintaining domestic operating rates at around 85%. This ensured sufficient production volumes from major hubs like Yeosu and Busan.
- On the supply side, South Korean acetone manufacturers continued operating at ~60–70% utilization, suggesting a surplus condition despite scheduled maintenance in the Middle East and proposed cuts at Daesan and Yeosu.
- The Acetone Demand Outlook remained cautious. End-use demand was restrained by stagnant construction and coatings activity, slow acrylic-sheet consumption, and just-in-time procurement strategies. Domestic buyers focused on minimal replenishment.
- Despite firm upstream fundamentals and tight margins, downstream weakness and excess supply led to a neutral-to-soft market tone. Traders and producers adopted conservative pricing policies in anticipation of flat or lower spot movement ahead.
Europe
- The acetone price index in Europe remained downward throughout Q2, though it due to weak demand and high energy-driven production costs.
- This decline was caused by subdued downstream demand in sectors such as automotive, coatings, and construction, along with reduced export activity. In the last month of Q2, the prices settled at USD 782/MT, FD Karlsruhe.
- The acetone demand outlook across Europe weakened during Q2, with many buyers maintaining need-based procurement strategies. Demand from downstream industries like phenol, plastics, and pharmaceuticals remained muted despite earlier recovery hopes.
- The acetone production cost trend remained sluggish. The feedstock prices like benzene and cumene softened, the relief was offset by energy-related inflation.
- Domestic production remained steady but underutilized, especially in Germany. Phenol-acetone producers, including INEOS, operated at reduced capacity or planned shutdowns, resulting in oversupplied spot markets.
- The closure of Orlen’s phenol-acetone plant in Poland added some regional supply concern, but its limited scale meant the effect on broader acetone availability and pricing was minor.
- Trade with the U.S. was restricted due to tariffs on European acetone and phenol, constraining exports and further weakening the acetone demand outlook.
- Even as logistics across the Rhine and rail systems remained efficient and feedstock prices declined slightly, electricity and utility costs continued to drive up the acetone production cost trend, limiting profitability.
- A sharp fall in utilization rates at INEOS Phenol’s Gladbeck unit led to excess volumes entering the spot market, fueling a growing oversupply.
- Despite slight raw material cost easing, the acetone price index in Germany stayed under pressure due to rising energy costs and persistent oversupply.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Acetone market in North America displayed a largely stable to slightly bullish price trend, underpinned by a complex mix of supply chain challenges, modest demand recovery, and shifting trade dynamics.
Prices remained relatively steady early in the quarter due to subdued demand from downstream sectors like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and coatings, while sufficient inventories kept aggressive restocking at bay. However, as the quarter progressed, supply-side constraints began to influence market sentiment. Limited feedstock availability—especially cumene—and increased production costs pushed some major producers, such as AdvanSix, to announce price hikes.
The close correlation between acetone and phenol production also played a key role, as phenol output fluctuations impacted acetone availability. By late March, prices saw a sharper uptick, rising by 7.4% and more, driven by a cautious rise in demand and growing logistical pressures, including increased port fees and tariff implications on imports. Geopolitical uncertainties and rising energy prices added further upward pressure. While overall demand remained tempered, North American producers focused on enhancing domestic supply chains and boosting exports, setting the stage for potential continued price strength into Q2 2025.
APAC
During Q1 2025, the Acetone market in the Asia-Pacific region remained largely stable, supported by consistent feedstock prices, cautious buying behavior, and subdued demand from downstream industries. The market was influenced by the strong linkage between acetone and phenol production, with stable phenol output preventing any sharp fluctuations in acetone supply. Despite some port inventory fluctuations and minor spot shortages, producers maintained a conservative pricing strategy, avoiding increases amidst weak purchasing sentiment. Cumene, the primary feedstock, held stable prices through the quarter, reinforcing the broader trend of market stability. Demand from key sectors such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and coatings remained soft, though replenishment activity picked up slightly in March, driven by tightened spot availability and low factory operating rates. Even with pressures from rising shipping costs and geopolitical uncertainty, acetone prices showed only minimal week-to-week movements. While benzene and crude oil price shifts briefly impacted market sentiment, they did not trigger significant price deviations. Overall, the APAC acetone market in Q1 2025 was marked by equilibrium between moderate supply and weak, though steady, demand, leading to limited pricing volatility.
Europe
During Q1 2025, the European acetone market experienced overall price stability, underpinned by steady supply levels and subdued demand from downstream sectors. Weak domestic consumption, particularly in Germany, combined with a decline in feedstock cumene and crude oil prices, limited upward pressure on acetone prices. While the solvent, adhesive, and pharmaceutical industries maintained moderate and consistent procurement, broader market activity remained sluggish. Trading volumes were restrained, with minimal negotiations and low restocking interest from terminal factories. Operating rates across Western Europe dipped due to rising energy costs and inflation, which constrained production and prevented any significant inventory build-up. Although spot shortages and logistical disruptions—such as port delays in Hamburg—emerged temporarily, supply chains remained well-regulated and balanced. Feedstock price movements, including those of benzene and crude, had a limited influence due to stable raw material availability. Despite a bearish outlook in MMA and fluctuating demand for chemical intermediates, consistent demand from the coatings, plastics, and pharmaceutical sectors helped support price stability. Overall, Q1 2025 in Europe was marked by steady acetone prices, with weak momentum for recovery amidst ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
