Divergent Acetic Anhydride Price Trend Persists in the US and German Market Amidst Contrasting Feedstock Costs

In the US market, Acetic Anhydride prices have experienced a declining trend this week, primarily due to reduced Feedstock Acetic Acid prices. The downturn in demand from feedstock Acetic Acid downstream industries such as Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate, linked to a decline in builder confidence for the third consecutive month, has contributed to this Trend. The Housing Market Index (HMI), monitored by NAHB/Wells Fargo, saw a decrease from 44 points in September to 40 points in October, marking its least score since the beginning of the year in January.. Despite challenges, there is ample inventory in the market to meet the demand from Acetic Anhydride downstream industries like laundry and detergent. Meanwhile, the inflation rate has remained stable at 3.7% for September 2023 and August 2023. Additionally, international market demand has stayed strong, exerting sustained pressure from overseas.

Conversely, the price of Acetic Anhydride has seen an upward trajectory this week in the German market, driven primarily by a surge in the prices of Acetic Anhydride feedstock, Acetic Acid. A decrease further influences positive market sentiment in the inflation rate, which reduced from 4.5% in September to 3.8% in October. Despite this, challenges persist in the Acetic Anhydride downstream laundry detergent due to a high-interest rate of 4.25%, fostering a negative sentiment and a sense of pessimism in the sector. Moreover, expectations of a decrease in Acetic Anhydride feedstock Acetic Acid prices, in line with the declining prices of Methanol, were countered by anticipation of reduced import prices. The Chinese market witnessed a sharp decline in prices, and as inventory levels return to normal, an overall decrease in import prices is expected.

As per the insights derived from the ChemAnalyst database, a forecast indicates a forthcoming decrease in Acetic Anhydride prices within the US market in the ensuing weeks. This projection is closely linked to the diminishing prices of Acetic Anhydride Feedstock Acetic Acid. Anticipated to endure is the robust demand emanating from Acetic Acid downstream industries, particularly in products such as Ethyl Acetate and Butyl Acetate, which have extensive use in the construction sector and have shown no signs of recovery. Moreover, the German market is poised to witness a subtle decline in Acetic Anhydride prices, influenced by a combination of destocking market activities and a reduction in import prices. The prevailing high inventory levels of Acetic Anhydride in the market are also poised to play a pivotal role in contributing to the projected price decrease. Sellers, bound by the imperative to alleviate their surplus stock, are likely to offer their products at more competitive and affordable prices, thereby further contributing to the overall anticipated price decrease.