Acetylacetone Market Intelligence Report (May 27, 2026)

I. Price Trend
- Latest Benchmark Price: As of May 26, 2026, according to Shengyisi data, the benchmark price for acetylacetone stands at RMB 15,375 per metric ton, unchanged from the beginning of May and within the annual low range (minimum: RMB 15,125/ton; maximum: RMB 16,725/ton).
- Historical Volatility: In September 2025, prices rebounded from a trough of RMB 13,000/ton to a peak of RMB 17,000/ton—a rise of RMB 4,000/ton—driven by industry capacity rationalization and tightening environmental regulations. In 2026, prices have remained broadly stable without significant fluctuations.

II. Supply-Demand Analysis
- Supply Side:
- Global production capacity is concentrated among international players such as BASF and Daicel, as well as Chinese manufacturers including Anhui Wotu Chemical Co., Ltd. Competition is intense but market structure remains stable.
- The industry underwent capacity rationalization in 2025, with high-cost producers exiting the market, leading to increased supply concentration. Environmental regulations have accelerated the adoption of green production technologies, constraining the expansion of non-compliant capacities.
- Demand Side:
- Traditional Applications: Steady demand from the chemical industry (e.g., ligands for catalysts), coatings/inks (metal driers), and pharmaceuticals (intermediates for synthesis), collectively accounting for over 60% of total consumption.
- Emerging Applications: Notable growth in demand for PVC eco-friendly additives—such as calcium acetylacetonate—with prices surging from RMB 13,000/ton to RMB 19,000/ton in September 2025, reflecting the accelerating substitution of lead-based additives.
- Regional Markets: Emerging Asian markets—including China and India—are the core drivers of demand growth, propelled by infrastructure development and manufacturing expansion.

III. Cost and Profitability Analysis
- Raw Material Costs: Acetone—the primary raw material—experienced a downward price trend from April to May 2026, declining from an index value of 85.39 to 79.06 (a cumulative drop of 6.3%), thereby weakening cost support for acetylacetone.
- Profit Margins: Industry-average profitability stands at approximately 15–20%. Environmentally compliant enterprises enjoy higher margins than non-compliant peers, benefiting from technological advantages and policy incentives.

IV. Industry Developments and Policy Impacts
- Environmental Regulations: Globally tightening restrictions on high-pollution processes are driving green transformation in acetylacetone production—for instance, replacing traditional chlorination routes with catalytic oxidation methods to significantly reduce wastewater discharge.
- Capacity Consolidation: Following the 2025 PVC additive industry capacity rationalization, supply concentration for acetylacetone salts (e.g., calcium salt) has increased, enhancing pricing power for leading enterprises.
- Technological Innovation: Emerging applications—such as sol-gel synthesis of nano-ceramic powders—are stimulating demand for high-end acetylacetone products.

V. Price Drivers
- Short-Term Factors: Fluctuations in acetone prices and regional logistics costs (e.g., increased warehousing fees in the East China region).
- Long-Term Factors: Stricter environmental regulations, rising penetration in emerging markets, and innovative downstream demand (e.g., battery materials for new-energy vehicles).

VI. Outlook
- Price Trend: Prices are expected to remain range-bound between RMB 15,000–16,000/ton in H2 2026. A rebound in acetone prices or intensified environmental inspections could trigger short-term upward adjustments.
- Demand Structure: The share of traditional applications is projected to gradually decline to below 50%, while emerging sectors—including PVC additives and new-energy materials—are anticipated to account for over 30% of total demand.
- Competitive Landscape: International firms leverage technological leadership to dominate the premium segment, whereas Chinese manufacturers command the mid-to-low-end market via cost advantages and scale expansion—further elevating overall industry concentration.

VII. Risk Alerts
- Policy Risk: Potential implementation of global carbon tariffs may increase export costs, undermining the competitiveness of Asian producers.
- Raw Material Risk: Acetone prices remain vulnerable to volatility in crude oil markets, posing risks of supply disruption.
- Technology Risk: Delays in developing and commercializing green production technologies may result in elevated compliance-related expenditures.