The U.S. Styrene Acrylonitrile market remained under pressure during December 2024, with prices following a bearish trend. Reduced demand across downstream sectors, volatile feedstock prices, and economic uncertainties affected the Styrene Acrylonitrile market.

Feedstock prices played a crucial role in determining the Styrene Acrylonitrile prices. Styrene prices showed stability, with a slight increase of about 1% during the third week. However, acrylonitrile prices experienced a sharp decrease of approximately 6.1% during the final week. While lower feedstock costs generally reduce production costs, the weak demand from downstream companies continued to affect the recovery of the Styrene Acrylonitrile market.

The automobile sector, a major consumer of Styrene Acrylonitrile, reported varied results. Vehicle sales increased by 7.3% compared to December 2023 because huge discounts announced by manufacturers. However, high interest rates and economic uncertainties restricted the production volumes, resulting in reduced demand for Styrene Acrylonitrile. Additionally, the construction sector, which indirectly influences the market through demand for appliances and building materials, saw bearish activity due to seasonal factors, further reducing Styrene Acrylonitrile usage.

In the electronics sector, the reduced retail market for consumer goods like home appliances resulted in manufacturers cutting back on orders for Styrene Acrylonitrile. Production adjustments in response to inventory backlogs indicated that the industry was still struggling to manage demand uncertainty. The packaging industry, a relatively smaller but stable consumer of Styrene Acrylonitrile, showed minimal activity as producers prioritized essential materials over specialized polymers.

Economic pressures further intensified the challenges in the Styrene Acrylonitrile market. Constant inflation and tightened monetary policies continued to suppress industrial activities, reducing the overall consumption of specialty polymers, including Styrene Acrylonitrile. Additionally, supply chain activities intensified as importers expedited shipments ahead of potential tariff increases this year. However, this increase in imports failed to significantly increase the demand for Styrene Acrylonitrile.

Domestic production of Styrene Acrylonitrile remained stable, ensuring sufficient availability despite weaker demand. Export opportunities, particularly to Europe and Asia, remained limited due to bearish global market conditions, further contributing to challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers. The imbalance between supply and demand continued to exert downward pressure on the Styrene Acrylonitrile market.

Overall, the Styrene Acrylonitrile market in December 2024 reflected the combined effects of volatile feedstock prices, economic constraints, and subdued downstream activity. Manufacturers dealt with cost control and operational efficiency to overcome the challenging conditions. The market remains fragile as the industry looks toward 2025, with hopes pinned on a recovery in downstream demand and stabilization of economic conditions to support a rebound.