From 2021 to 2026, China’s acetone production capacity experienced rapid growth, driven primarily by integrated refining and chemical projects. New capacity was mainly located in East, Northeast, and North China, leading to increased industry concentration. Producers generally extended their operations downstream to build integrated supply chain systems, enhancing competitive advantages, raising domestic integration rates, and further solidifying their position in the global market.
China’s acetone capacity developed rapidly between 2021 and 2026. By October 2026, total capacity reached 4.31 million tons per year (MTPA), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%.
Data source: Chempricehub Information
Between 2021 and 2026, new acetone capacity in China showed trends toward larger scale and greater integration. The production process is mature, with all facilities using the cumene method.
The year 2020 marked the beginning of large-scale integrated phenol-acetone units, with a baseline capacity of 2.06 MTPA. No new units were commissioned in 2021.
During 2022–2023, major integrated phenol-acetone units such as Zhejiang Petrochemical Phase II, Wanhua Chemical, Jiangsu Ruiheng, Shenghong Refining & Chemical, and Hengli Petrochemical were successively completed and put into operation. This propelled China’s acetone capacity into a phase of high-speed expansion, peaking in 2023 with a year-on-year increase of 51%. Newly added capacity in 2023 amounted to 1.32 MTPA, accounting for 34% of the national total, representing the fastest expansion pace in the past six years.
In 2024, acetone capacity expansion cooled down, with only 0.06 MTPA added throughout the year, representing 2% of the total capacity at that time. The capacity growth rate slowed to 2%, marking a transition from peak growth in 2023 to a deceleration phase.
In 2025, the pace of capacity expansion accelerated again. New capacity additions totaled 0.48 MTPA, while 0.10 MTPA of obsolete capacity was retired (Yanshan Petrochemical East District: 0.04 MTPA; Jilin Petrochemical: 0.06 MTPA), resulting in a net increase of 0.38 MTPA. New capacity accounted for 11% of the total, and the growth rate rebounded to 10%.
In 2026, the growth rate of acetone capacity slowed further. Shandong Ruilin added a new unit with a capacity of 0.13 MTPA. Concurrently, 0.17 MTPA of obsolete capacity was retired (Yanshan Petrochemical West District: 0.08 MTPA; Gaoqiao Petrochemical Caojing: 0.09 MTPA). Since new capacity did not offset the retired capacity, the sector recorded its first negative growth rate in capacity expansion.
Table: Statistics on New Acetone Capacity in China in 2026 (Unit: MTPA)
| Region | Enterprise Abbreviation | Capacity | Process | Commissioning Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North China | Shandong Ruilin | 13 | Cumene Method | June 2026 |
| Total | 13 |
Data source: Chempricehub Information
In 2026, only one new acetone unit was added, with a capacity of 0.13 MTPA. Meanwhile, two long-idle obsolete units were removed from the statistics: Yanshan Petrochemical West District (0.08 MTPA) and Gaoqiao Petrochemical Caojing (0.09 MTPA). The net capacity change for the year was -0.04 MTPA, indicating that while the industry expanded, the elimination of outdated capacity also accelerated.
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