How does the acrylonitrile feedstock market impact acrylamide pricing trends in China?

How does the acrylonitrile feedstock market impact acrylamide pricing trends in China?
Acrylamide pricing in China is closely tied to acrylonitrile, its primary feedstock. In July, acrylonitrile prices rose 4.46% month-on-month to around 10,533 yuan/ton, driven by reduced operating rates at major East China plants and an upcoming maintenance shutdown at Liaoning Jinfa's 260,000-ton unit. Despite this upstream strength, polyacrylamide (PAM) prices fell 1.41% to about 13,960 yuan/ton for cationic grade, as downstream demand weakened. Seasonal factors reduced sludge volumes in wastewater treatment, while paper and chemical sludge disposal firms cut procurement. This divergence highlights that acrylamide cost support alone cannot sustain prices when end-use demand softens, leaving the market in a weak consolidation phase.