Lead: In July 2026, the domestic acrylic acid market continued its weak downward trajectory, with the monthly average price falling 8.83% month-on-month. Intensifying supply–demand imbalances emerged as the core driver of the price bottoming-out. On the supply side, industry capacity utilization climbed markedly to 70.56%, leaving spot supply increasingly ample. On the demand side, downstream specialty ester and SAP producers were in their traditional consumption off-season, purchasing sentiment was subdued, and follow-through on rigid demand remained limited.
1. Market Overview: Average Price Down 8.83% Month-on-Month, Market Remains Weak
In July 2026, the domestic acrylic acid market broadly exhibited a volatile downward trend. During the month, feedstock propylene prices edged lower, providing limited cost-side support. Producers and holders largely quoted in line with market conditions, with actual transaction negotiations continuing to drift downward. According to Chempricehub Information monitoring data, the average acrylic acid price in July stood at RMB 6,958/ton, down 8.83% month-on-month — a relatively pronounced decline. Looking at the monthly trajectory, the market declined at a faster pace in early July due to looser cost support and expectations of rising supply. In mid-to-late July, although news of individual plant turnarounds emerged, it did little to boost market sentiment. Downstream buying remained limited to sporadic small-lot orders for rigid demand, and price rebounds lacked momentum, with the market showing an overall pattern of weak bottom-seeking.
2. Supply Side: Capacity Utilization Rises to 70.56%, Spot Supply Ample
Domestic acrylic acid supply increased noticeably in July, becoming the primary factor capping price rebounds. Monthly industry capacity utilization reached 70.56%, up 5.47 percentage points from the previous month, with output likewise rising versus June. A total of 11 enterprises were involved in load reductions or shutdowns during the month, mainly including major producers such as Satellite Chemical, Wanhua Chemical, Huayi New Materials, Lanzhou Petrochemical, Jiangsu Sanmu, Kaitai Petrochemical, CNOOC Huizhou, Fujian Binhai, BASF Zhanjiang, and Tianjin Bohua. Despite maintenance and load-reduction operations at some plants, overall industry operating rates improved significantly month-on-month. Spot supply in the market was relatively ample, and destocking pressure on producers increased. The sustained release of supply left holders without confidence to push quotes higher, making discount-driven selling a common practice.
3. Demand Side: Pronounced Off-Season Characteristics, Limited Rigid-Demand Support
Demand-side performance remained weak, serving as the primary factor dragging prices lower. July coincided with the traditional consumption off-season for the downstream specialty ester and SAP industries. End-use enterprises mostly consumed earlier contracted volumes and existing inventories, showing little enthusiasm for market procurement. Spot buying interest was insufficient, confined to sporadic small orders for rigid demand. Although some downstream plants made minor bargain restocking purchases during the month, the volumes were limited and could not provide effective support to the market.
4. Cost and Profit: Acrylic Acid Profit Plunges 68% Month-on-Month, Industry Margins Under Pressure
On the cost side, the profit for feedstock propylene in the East China market was –RMB 410/ton in July, up RMB 1,258/ton month-on-month, an improvement of 75.42%, with propylene's loss margin narrowing significantly. Cost support for acrylic acid remained intact but was limited. Regarding acrylic acid's own profitability, acrylic acid profit in East China stood at RMB 187/ton, down RMB 406/ton month-on-month, a decline of 68%. Evidently, the magnitude of acrylic acid price declines far exceeded feedstock price movements, significantly compressing industry profit margins and heightening operating pressure on producers.
5. Outlook: Divergent Trends Across Varieties — Acrylic Acid to Remain Weak, Butyl Acrylate May See Slight Recovery
Looking ahead to August 2026, the domestic acrylic acid and acrylate market is expected to show mixed gains and losses, with divergent trends across product varieties.
Acrylic acid: Feedstock propylene is currently consolidating at relatively high levels, providing comparatively firm cost-side support. However, supply-side expansion is anticipated, with some maintenance plants scheduled to restart, while downstream demand growth is limited. The supply–demand gap is expected to widen significantly, and downward pressure on the market persists. Overall, acrylic acid is likely to continue its weak performance in August, with mainstream prices in East China expected to fluctuate around RMB 6,900/ton.
Butyl acrylate: Feedstock n-butanol prices are trending weak with some fluctuation, keeping cost-side pressure on the market, with holders quoting in line with market conditions. Industry gross margins remain below the breakeven level, prompting producers to control output with limited quotes and maintain low operating rates; current industry utilization is below 50%. Downstream rigid-demand purchasing is advancing steadily, and butyl acrylate may see a narrow upward movement, with average prices expected to hover around RMB 7,700/ton.
Methyl acrylate: The market is expected to consolidate with a volatile pattern in August. Producers and holders will quote in line with market conditions, downstream users will primarily digest existing contracts or inventories, spot follow-through will remain limited, and transaction prices are expected to trend weakly, with mainstream prices projected around RMB 8,800/ton.
Overall, the supply–demand tug-of-war in the acrylic acid market is set to continue in August, with prices likely to remain under downward pressure and continue testing lows. Market participants are advised to closely track feedstock propylene price movements, plant operating dynamics, and downstream restocking pace, maintain prudent control over operational rhythm, and carefully manage market volatility risks.
The "11th Chempricehub Information MMA & Acrylate Industry Conference" will be held in Guilin from August 5–7! The conference will focus on downstream acrylate applications, with in-depth coverage of core end-use sectors including super absorbent polymers, specialty esters, adhesive tape master rolls, and acrylic emulsions. It will bring together R&D elites, authoritative experts from research institutions, and representatives of leading industry enterprises. The forum will closely align with the latest national policy directions, break through traditional industry development constraints, and inject fresh momentum into the sustainable development of the acrylate and downstream industrial chain through innovative thinking. Attendees will engage in forward-looking dialogues on industry pain points and opportunities, jointly charting the strategic blueprint for the sector's future development. We look forward to welcoming you to this industry gathering in Guilin this August!
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