For the Quarter Ending June 2025
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Acrylonitrile Price Index in APAC declined by 6.3% quarter-on-quarter. The downtrend began with a 1.8% fall in May due to weak downstream demand and cost-side pressure, followed by a 5.0% dip in June amid oversupply, muted procurement, and growing freight concerns. A milder 3.0% decline occurred in early July despite some automotive support, as bearish sentiment persisted.
• Why did the price of Acrylonitrile change in July 2025 in APAC? In early July 2025, Acrylonitrile prices declined due to weak downstream consumption, particularly in NBR and construction-linked segments. Although demand from ABS/SAN manufacturers offered brief support, broad macroeconomic concerns, cautious buying, and fading cost pressures—following stable Propylene prices and falling crude oil post Middle East ceasefire—weighed on the market.
• The Acrylonitrile Price Forecast for early Q3 2025 points to a rangebound-to-soft outlook, shaped by uncertain demand from construction and auto sectors, high inventories, and fragile trade sentiment. Prices may remain under pressure unless NBR or ABS demand rebounds meaningfully or logistical constraints intensify.
• The Acrylonitrile Production Cost Trend eased in Q2 2025. Softer feedstock Propylene and Ammonia prices, driven by weak industrial uptake and increased upstream output, lowered production costs. However, producers faced elevated logistics expenses amid regional freight rate hikes and shipping delays, which somewhat offset cost relief.
• The Acrylonitrile Demand Outlook in APAC remained mixed. While NEV-linked ABS/SAN demand in China and Southeast Asia provided steady offtakes, broader weakness in conventional automotive and construction sectors constrained momentum. High vehicle prices, supply chain challenges, and project delays further dampened sentiment.
• Export performance across Asia was inconsistent. Moderate recovery in outbound volumes to North America and Southeast Asia contrasted with U.S. tariff drag and rerouted logistics via the Cape of Good Hope. Container shortages, port congestion, and inland delays continued to disrupt timely exports.
• Domestic consumption in Japan remained soft in Q2 2025. Despite steady demand for ABS used in auto interiors and consumer goods, weaker construction activity and cautious NBR-related procurement capped growth. Inventory overhang and muted stimulus measures weighed on local consumption, limiting upside in the near term.
North America
• Acrylonitrile (ACN) Price Index in North America declined by 5.4% quarter-on-quarter, with FOB Texas quotations falling from USD 1401/MT in early April to USD 1113/MT by the start of July 2025. April began with marginal movement, followed by sharp downward momentum in May and June as export demand weakened, downstream consumption dropped, and trade policies introduced pricing volatility. Stabilization efforts in late June were insufficient to offset bearish fundamentals that prevailed throughout the quarter.
• In early July 2025, the Price Index for ACN remained steady at USD 1113/MT FOB Texas. Prices held firm despite ongoing headwinds from the automotive and construction sectors. Sluggish downstream demand for NBR and ABS offset cost support from Propylene and Ammonia, whose prices eased amid stable availability. Overall, market sentiment remained cautious, with most buyers limiting procurement to immediate needs.
• According to the Acrylonitrile Price Forecast, prices are expected to remain rangebound through mid-Q3 2025. Weakness in construction activity and cautious automotive offtake are likely to keep demand under pressure. Any upward momentum would depend on significant supply-side disruptions or sustained improvements in downstream activity.
• The Acrylonitrile Production Cost Trend showed a softening trajectory in Q2 2025, driven by ample feedstock availability and falling input costs for Propylene and Ammonia. However, cost relief was partially offset by elevated freight charges, seasonal shipping delays, and supply chain inefficiencies stemming from regional flooding and force majeure events.
• The Acrylonitrile Demand Outlook remained weak overall during Q2 2025. While non-residential construction and EV-linked demand supported select ABS and SAN applications, the broader automotive and housing segments underperformed. Persistent affordability issues, tight credit, and elevated material costs suppressed buyer confidence and curbed procurement levels.
• Imports and Exports of Acrylonitrile were volatile during the quarter. Newly implemented tariffs under the “Liberation Day” policy and the removal of de minimis exemptions strained cross-border trade with Canada, Mexico, and Asia. Export volumes declined, contributing to rising domestic inventory, while shippers grappled with port congestion, freight rate hikes, and route disruptions.
• Global Trade Outlook: While global producers in Asia and Europe operated at steady rates, their exports to the U.S. remained constrained by geopolitical friction, tariff regimes, and logistical barriers. U.S. buyers reassessed sourcing strategies amid rising import costs and shifting supplier dynamics, contributing to ongoing trade realignments across the ACN value chain.
Europe
• Acrylonitrile Price Index in Europe rose by 4.3% quarter-on-quarter. The increase followed an early Q2 demand surge from downstream ABS and SAN manufacturers, driven by anticipatory buying linked to expected construction growth. However, momentum softened mid-quarter as automotive and construction activity weakened, and logistical headwinds from port congestion and rail disruptions tempered further gains.
• In early July 2025, the Price Index stabilized, supported by steady production, and balanced demand-supply dynamics. Weaker feedstock costs from Propylene, amid easing geopolitical tensions, reduced production expenses. While upstream input pressure declined, sluggish demand from automotive and construction sectors limited upward price potential.
• The Acrylonitrile Price Forecast for early Q3 suggests a rangebound trend, with slight downside risk. The market is likely to remain influenced by broader macroeconomic conditions, demand performance in automotive plastics, and the resolution pace of regional logistics bottlenecks and labor disputes.
• The Acrylonitrile Production Cost Trend showed a softening bias through Q2 2025, driven by easing crude oil and Propylene prices. However, cost relief was partially offset by constrained Ammonia availability and persistent logistics disruptions from port strikes, low Rhine River levels, and shifting regulatory burdens across the EU.
• The Acrylonitrile Demand Outlook was mixed but stable overall. Construction demand was subdued in Western Europe but partially offset by infrastructure investment in Eastern markets. Automotive consumption remained firm for ABS and NBR components, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles, supporting underlying demand fundamentals.
• European imports remained steady, though trade was impacted by ongoing logistical constraints. Labor shortages, strikes, and tighter customs enforcement under the EU’s Import Control System 2 disrupted flows through major hubs like Antwerp, Bremerhaven, and Hamburg, leading to delays and elevated transport costs.
• Regional demand in France, Benelux, and Germany slowed in June, as procurement tapered following earlier restocking. However, steady offtake from lightweight automotive plastics and insulation materials for green construction limited further downside and helped keep consumption levels broadly stable.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Acrylonitrile market in North America experienced significant price fluctuations due to a combination of supply disruptions, trade uncertainties, and steady demand from downstream industries. The quarter began with positive momentum, driven by modest expansion in the U.S. manufacturing sector and increased business confidence. Acrylonitrile production remained stable, supported by rising demand from the automotive industry, which saw an increase in vehicle sales.
However, the market faced volatility in the mid-quarter, largely due to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical factors. Propylene production encountered challenges as the Arctic blast led to increased demand for heating and "freeze-offs" that disrupted supply. These issues, combined with strained feedstock availability, caused upward pressure on Acrylonitrile prices.
Towards the end of the quarter, the market experienced further disruptions, including Arctic blast effects, port congestion, and tariff-related trade issues. Despite these challenges, demand from downstream industries remained steady, particularly in the automotive sector, which benefited from growing electric vehicle sales. Meanwhile, the construction sector experienced limited growth due to rising costs and labor shortages, which dampened demand in ABS industries.
APAC
During the first quarter of 2025, the Acrylonitrile market in Asia experienced considerable price volatility, driven by fluctuating feedstock costs, uneven demand from downstream industries, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. The quarter kicked off with a bullish trend in January, with prices rising by 1.6% as market participants anticipated higher demand before the Lunar New Year holidays. However, key sectors such as automotive and construction showed weak demand and feedstock costs remained stable. In February, Acrylonitrile prices continued to fluctuate moderately, with slight increases supported by stable production and improved feedstock availability. Despite a decline in South Korea’s domestic demand and exports, regional price pressures persisted, largely due to geopolitical tensions affecting crude oil supply. As the quarter progressed, prices leveled off, reflecting a balanced market, but the demand remained weak, particularly in industries like Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and ABS. By late February, prices began to trend downward, driven by a reduction in production costs, particularly from feedstock Propylene, and sluggish demand from downstream industries. In March, prices continued to decline, dropping by nearly 4%, as market activity slowed, and inventories increased. Overall, Q1 2025 saw fluctuating price trends for Acrylonitrile, marked by an unstable market influenced by changing demand, fluctuating feedstock costs, and supply chain constraints.
Europe
The Acrylonitrile market in Europe displayed a mixed trend throughout Q1 2025, characterized by both upward and downward movements. Early in the quarter, the market remained volatile due to supply disruptions and moderate availability of feedstocks to produce the product. While Acrylonitrile production remained steady, factors such as high inflation, rising material costs, and geopolitical tensions influenced demand negatively. However, in the second half of the quarter, prices began to rise, driven by supply constraints, particularly from North America, and increasing feedstock costs. Additional disruptions at European ports and labor strikes further strained the supply chain, pushing prices higher. As the quarter moved into March, the market stabilized somewhat, with steady demand from the automotive sector, although the construction market, especially in Germany and France, continued to contract. Some growth in Italy’s construction sector offered a glimmer of optimism, but ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and tariff concerns kept the pricing environment volatile, leading to an overall mixed trend for Acrylonitrile in Europe.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Acrylonitrile prices experienced a 2% decrease compared to the previous quarter. Production remained stable, supported by moderate feedstock Ammonia availability. However, the decline in Propylene prices and lower demand from the fertilizer sector reduced cost support for Acrylonitrile production.
Demand varied across sectors. The automotive industry maintained steady demand due to increased vehicle sales, especially for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) applications. On the other hand, the construction sector showed weaker demand, as orders from ABS and SAN manufacturers were sluggish, impacting Acrylonitrile consumption.
Export activity weakened, particularly in Europe and Australia, as global demand softened. The U.S. manufacturing sector continued to face challenges, contributing to reduced demand for Acrylonitrile. Additionally, supply chain disruptions and a drop in export orders further pressured the market. Despite stable production, these factors led to a 2% decrease in Acrylonitrile prices from the previous quarter. The automotive sector's stable demand helped mitigate some of the losses, but overall market conditions were influenced by softer global demand and cost pressures from reduced feedstock costs.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Acrylonitrile prices remained stable compared to the previous quarter. Production rates were moderate, supported by steady feedstock availability, though feedstock Propylene prices fluctuated due to varying demand from downstream industries and rising energy costs. The demand for Acrylonitrile in the construction sector remained strong, driven by increased activity in building projects. However, the automotive sector saw a decline in vehicle sales, which led to weaker demand for synthetic rubbers. Exports from Japan showed modest growth, particularly in the construction sector, although global demand softened in regions like Europe and Australia towards the end of the quarter. Cost pressures were mixed, with feedstock Ammonia costs easing due to low fertilizer demand, but higher Propylene prices offset this due to increased heating demand. The paints and coatings industry also saw steady demand, particularly driven by expansion in Asia. Despite supply chain disruptions, including those caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey, Acrylonitrile prices held steady throughout the quarter. This stability was supported by balanced supply and demand dynamics across key sectors, despite some regional and sector-specific variations in demand.
Europe
Throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, Acrylonitrile prices experienced a continuous decline, dropping by 9% compared to the previous quarter. This downtrend was primarily driven by weaker demand across key sectors, including automotive and construction, amid broader economic challenges. In October, Acrylonitrile prices began to decrease as export rates were low, and domestic demand remained subdued. The production rates were steady, supported by moderate feedstock availability, but with sluggish offtakes from downstream industries, particularly in the construction sector. Economic uncertainties and rising inflation in the Eurozone contributed to further reduced demand for Acrylonitrile in ABS and SAN production. The decline continued into November, as weaker consumption persisted, especially in the construction industry, which was hampered by political instability and high borrowing costs. The automotive sector showed mixed trends, with slightly increased registrations, but the overall demand for Acrylonitrile from Nitrile Butadiene Rubber producers remained low. Export volumes remained depressed, and logistical disruptions, particularly in major European ports, added to the market's challenges. In December, Acrylonitrile prices continued to fall, influenced by a drop in car registrations in Germany and continued slowdowns in housing activity. Supply chain issues and sluggish demand in both construction and automotive sectors contributed to the overall downward price trajectory for the quarter. By December, the Acrylonitrile price had fallen to its lowest point of the quarter, reflecting ongoing economic pressures and low demand.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Acrylonitrile price trend oscillated in the North American region, showcasing moderate sentiments in the market. At the beginning of the quarter, Acrylonitrile prices decreased amid reduced demand for end-use polymers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
In the middle of the third quarter, market players raised their Acrylonitrile quotations. This upturn was primarily influenced by factors such as limited supplies of feedstock Ammonia, escalated natural gas prices impacting production, and stable yet moderate demand from various industries. These factors led to constrained operating rates at manufacturing units, contributing to a bullish market sentiment. Consequently, the second half of the quarter witnessed a 4% price increment compared to the first half, indicating a strengthening market.
Towards the end of Q3, improved availability of Crude Oil in the international market and increased refinery operations resulted in firm availability of feedstocks and negatively impacted the Acrylonitrile production costs. At the same time, the impact of Hurricane Helene resulted in reduced consumption from downstream industries and an increase in domestic stockpiles due to affected supply chain activities. The market players negatively revised their quotations and overall, the Acrylonitrile prices witnessed a 5% decline in Q3 2024 from the previous quarter. Conclusively, the quarter-ending price for Acrylonitrile FOB Texas quotations in the USA stood at USD 1415/MT.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Acrylonitrile market in the APAC region saw a pronounced bearish trend, marked by a steady decline in prices due to ongoing oversupply and weak demand conditions. This downward trend was influenced by several key factors. The sluggish demand from downstream industries, like automotive and construction, placed significant downward pressure on prices. Seasonal factors, including the monsoon and typhoon seasons, adversely affected regional construction activities, leading to decreased consumption of polymer materials such as ABS and rubbers like Nitrile Butadiene Rubber and Styrene Acrylonitrile Rubber used in construction. As a result, orders for Acrylonitrile from SAN and NBR manufacturers fell, exacerbated by high inventory levels stemming from the oversupply. Additionally, the market faced diminishing cost support from feedstock Propylene and Ammonia, driven by lower upstream crude oil prices and decreased fertilizer demand, further worsening the price decline. Overall, Acrylonitrile prices dropped by 5% in Q3 2024 compared to the previous quarter, concluding with CFR Qingdao prices at USD 1155/MT in China.
Europe
The Acrylonitrile prices shifted from the previous quarter's movement during the third quarter of 2024, and the European market experienced a predominantly negative pricing environment driven by a confluence of factors predominantly affecting market dynamics. Throughout the quarter, the sluggish demand from downstream sectors, particularly within the automotive and construction sectors, exerted downward pressure on prices. The Eurozone's construction sector continued its downturn, significantly impacting Acrylonitrile consumption. Additionally, the manufacturing sector faced challenges, with the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI indicating declining new orders and rising costs, further dampening demand. Supply-side dynamics also played a role, as supply availability improved post-summer holidays, yet demand failed to match this increase, exacerbating inventory levels. Seasonality also played a role as summer holidays, coupled with labor deficits and constrained production rates, kept market sentiment bearish. Despite no reported plant shutdowns, operational rates were closely monitored to manage the surplus supply. The latter half of the quarter saw a steeper decline of 8% compared to the first half, highlighting the intensified market pressures as the quarter progressed. Conclusively, the quarter-ending price of Acrylonitrile FD Hamburg in Germany settled at USD 1250/MT, after an overall 6% drop from the last quarter's prices and the negative pricing environment prevailed throughout Q3 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the current price of Acrylonitrile in APAC?
By the end of Q2 2025, Acrylonitrile prices in China stood at approximately USD 1131/MT FOB Osaka.
2. What is the current price of Acrylonitrile in North America?
By the end of Q2 2025, Acrylonitrile prices in the USA stood at approximately USD 1113/MT FOB Texas.
3. What is the current price of Acrylonitrile in Europe?
By the end of Q2 2025, Acrylonitrile prices in Germany stood at approximately USD 1288/MT FD Hamburg.
4. Why did Acrylonitrile prices change in July 2025?
o Asia-Pacific (APAC): Prices likely edged up in early Q3 2025, supported by seasonal restocking, steady EV-linked polyurethane demand, and improved exports, despite lingering logistics and upstream cost volatility.
o North America: Prices likely stabilized as automotive demand held firm and construction activity stayed mixed. Softer feedstock costs offset tariff-related trade pressures.
o Europe: Prices likely steadied slightly after a sharp Q2 drop, with improved inventories and restocking offsetting weak demand from construction and automotive sectors amid ongoing logistical challenges.
