Acetone Market Experiences Stable Transition (September 18, 2026)

1. Today's Summary

① Sinopec East China lowered its opening price by 500 CNY/ton today, executing at 8,800 CNY/ton.

② Market trading sentiment remained average. Holders' offers fluctuated within a range, while end-user factories participated based on rigid demand, resulting in insufficient actual transactions.

2. Spot Market Overview

Table 1: Domestic Acetone Price Summary (Unit: CNY/ton)

Taking the Jiangsu region as the benchmark, today's acetone price closed at 8,700 CNY/ton, remaining stable compared to the previous trading day. The East China acetone market transitioned smoothly today. Currently, overall trading sentiment is average, with low enthusiasm from end-users. Holders are primarily consolidating prices within a range. The market lacks clear directional guidance. End-user factories maintain purchasing rhythms based on rigid demand, showing weak intent for proactive stockpiling and low inquiry activity, leading to insufficient follow-through on actual transactions.

3. Production Dynamics

Today, the capacity utilization rate of the domestic phenol-acetone industry stood at 80%. Profits for phenol-acetone enterprises increased by 10 CNY/ton to -384 CNY/ton.

4. Price Forecast

The East China acetone market fluctuated within a range today. Overall trading atmosphere remains flat, with holders maintaining steady offers. End-user factories continue to purchase based on rigid demand, with limited proactive stockpiling. Actual transaction follow-up is weak, and overall volume is limited. It is expected that the short-term domestic acetone market will remain in a stalemate, with continued slow progress in actual transaction volumes.

5. Related Products Status

Pure Benzene Market: Today, the lower end of the East China pure benzene market consolidated within a narrow range. The center of gravity for negotiations dropped compared to yesterday, with mainstream deals ranging from 9,350 to 9,490 CNY/ton. The US hinted that the US-Iran conflict is nearing an end, raising expectations for geopolitical easing. Consequently, international crude oil prices fell, dragging down sentiment in the pure benzene market. Looking ahead, operating rates for petroleum-based benzene are expected to continue recovering, with downstream profitability and operations improving slightly; however, buyers remain cautious about chasing highs due to expensive raw materials. Overall, the fading geopolitical premium drove intraday declines, with daily transactions dominated by pre-holiday stockpiling based on rigid demand.

Bisphenol A (BPA) Market: Taking the East China region as the benchmark, today's BPA price closed at 11,200 CNY/ton, within a range of 11,100-11,300 CNY/ton. This remained stable compared to the previous trading day, consistent with morning expectations. Today, the BPA market consolidated within a range. Although the feedstock phenol market declined, its impact on the BPA market was minimal. Spot circulation was insufficient, but trader sentiment provided support, keeping offers firm and stable. However, downstream buyers adopted a wait-and-see approach, resulting in insufficient intra-market transactions.

6. Data Calendar

Table 2: Domestic Acetone Data List (Unit: 10,000 tons)