Track Acetone Price Trend Historical and Forecast

Executive Summary

The global acetone market remained under sustained pressure through the quarter ending September 2025, shaped by persistent oversupply, weak downstream offtake, and cautious procurement behavior across major consuming regions. Prices declined quarter over quarter in North America, APAC, and Europe as elevated inventories, normal plant operations, and muted demand from key end-use sectors such as BPA, MMA, coatings, and industrial solvents prevented meaningful recovery.

Despite occasional production disruptions and marginal cost-side pressures from feedstock and energy movements, market fundamentals remained bearish. Logistics stability, limited export arbitrage, and conservative buying strategies reinforced price softness. Looking ahead, the acetone price forecast points to modest volatility rather than a sharp rebound, with recovery dependent on downstream demand normalization, inventory correction, and structural adjustments in phenol-acetone operating rates.

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Introduction

Acetone is a critical chemical intermediate widely used in the production of bisphenol A, methyl methacrylate, coatings, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and industrial solvents. As a co-product of phenol production, acetone pricing dynamics are closely linked to phenol operating rates, feedstock trends such as benzene, cumene, and propylene, and broader macroeconomic conditions influencing industrial demand.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, the acetone market faced a prolonged imbalance between supply and demand. Structural oversupply, weak downstream consumption, and limited export pull combined to suppress pricing across global markets. This report provides a comprehensive review of acetone price trends, quarterly movements, cost structures, procurement behavior, and regional market dynamics through Q3 2025, supported by historical context and forward-looking insights.

Global Acetone Price Overview

Globally, acetone prices declined in Q3 2025 across all major regions. The downturn reflected sustained inventory accumulation, cautious buyer sentiment, and limited upside from feedstock or logistics disruptions. While crude oil, benzene, and cumene prices showed intermittent fluctuations, these movements failed to translate into meaningful acetone price support due to weak offtake and balanced to ample supply conditions.

Trade flows remained constrained, particularly between Europe and the United States due to tariffs and weak arbitrage economics. In Asia-Pacific markets, steady plant operations and consistent import availability kept spot liquidity ample. Overall, the acetone price index globally remained under pressure, reinforcing a market environment characterized by defensive procurement and minimal restocking.

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Acetone Price Summary Table

Quarter Ending September 2025

Region | Country | QoQ Price Index Change | Average Price (USD/MT) | Market Condition

---------------|-------------|------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------

North America | USA | -8.6% | 919.33 | Oversupply, weak offtake

APAC | Japan | -6.21% | 649.67 | High inventories, low demand

Europe | Germany | -13.18% | 744.33 | Destocking, bearish sentiment

Regional Acetone Market Analysis

North America Acetone Market

In North America, acetone prices declined sharply during the quarter ending September 2025. The U.S. acetone price index fell by 8.6 percent quarter over quarter as persistent oversupply and weak downstream demand dominated market sentiment. Average prices for the quarter settled around USD 919.33 per metric ton.

Spot prices remained largely rangebound near contract levels, reflecting subdued trading volumes and limited urgency among buyers. High inventories and smooth logistics across the region reduced spot tightness, while steady imports and mixed export performance constrained pricing flexibility.

Production conditions remained largely stable, with phenol-acetone plants operating normally. Although a force majeure at Olin's Texas facility temporarily tightened local balances, it failed to materially alter the overall price index. On the cost side, acetone production cost trends showed limited upward pressure. Increases in natural gas prices and crude-driven cumene costs were largely offset by lower benzene prices.

Demand outlook remained weak, with BPA, MMA, and coatings sectors failing to provide meaningful support. Buyers continued adopting cautious procurement strategies, focusing on contract volumes and delaying discretionary spot purchases.

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APAC Acetone Market

In the Asia-Pacific region, acetone prices also declined during Q3 2025. In Japan, the acetone price index fell by 6.21 percent quarter over quarter, with average quarterly prices at approximately USD 649.67 per metric ton. Elevated inventories and subdued downstream demand weighed heavily on market sentiment.

Balanced domestic operating rates and steady import flows kept spot prices under pressure. BPA, coatings, and industrial solvent demand remained muted, limiting restocking activity and spot liquidity. While rising CFR naphtha prices increased production costs to some extent, these pressures were insufficient to counteract the bearish demand environment.

High domestic inventories and weak export demand further depressed the acetone price index. However, selective maintenance activities and periodic export cargo movements provided short-lived supply tightness, resulting in temporary spot price stabilization.

Procurement behavior across APAC remained conservative, with buyers relying on just-in-time purchasing and minimizing inventory exposure amid uncertain downstream demand signals.

Europe Acetone Market

Europe experienced the steepest acetone price decline among major regions in Q3 2025. In Germany, the acetone price index dropped by 13.18 percent quarter over quarter, reflecting persistent bearish conditions and elevated inventory levels. Average quarterly prices stood near USD 744.33 per metric ton.

Spot price movement remained muted as distributors actively destocked, exerting additional downward pressure on pricing. High inventories at key hubs such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg limited export opportunities and softened regional price indices.

Production cost trends eased as benzene and crude prices softened, although higher energy and utility costs continued to challenge producer margins. Despite concerns arising from the closure of INEOS' Gladbeck unit, most producers operated at normal rates, preventing any sustained supply disruption.

Demand from BPA, MMA, and coatings sectors remained weak, with low operating rates and cautious procurement strategies persisting throughout the quarter. Logistics challenges, including port congestion and terminal disruptions, influenced regional availability but did not materially support prices.

Historical Quarterly Acetone Market Review

Quarter Ending June 2025

During Q2 2025, acetone prices remained under downward pressure globally. In North America, prices settled near USD 1024 per metric ton FOB Texas amid chronically soft downstream demand and oversupply. Phenol-acetone plants operated at reduced utilization, reflecting weak market fundamentals.

In APAC, particularly South Korea, prices remained mostly stable but subdued. Balanced supply, weak automotive and construction demand, and cautious procurement limited price movement despite firm upstream benzene costs.

European markets experienced continued softness driven by weak demand, high energy costs, and constrained export activity. Prices in Germany settled near USD 782 per metric ton by quarter-end.

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Quarter Ending March 2025

In Q1 2025, acetone prices showed relative stability with mild bullish undertones in North America due to feedstock constraints and rising production costs. Limited cumene availability and logistical pressures supported modest price increases late in the quarter.

APAC markets remained largely balanced, supported by stable phenol output and cautious buying behavior. Europe experienced stable pricing as weak demand was offset by constrained production amid high energy costs.

Quarter Ending December 2024

In Q4 2024, acetone markets globally experienced a bearish tone. North America saw declining prices despite moderate demand from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. APAC markets, particularly South Korea, faced reduced procurement and weak MMA demand. Europe experienced mixed pricing dynamics as phenol production cuts tightened supply but weak demand capped upside potential.

Production and Cost Structure Insights

Acetone production costs are primarily influenced by feedstock prices including benzene, cumene, and propylene, as well as energy and utility expenses. During 2025, declining benzene and crude prices helped ease cost pressures, though energy inflation in Europe partially offset these benefits. Stable plant operations and sufficient feedstock availability ensured uninterrupted production across regions, reinforcing oversupply conditions.

Procurement Outlook and Price Forecast

The acetone price forecast points to limited upside in the near term. High inventories, weak downstream demand, and cautious procurement behavior are expected to persist. Buyers are likely to continue adopting need-based purchasing strategies, focusing on contract stability rather than aggressive spot exposure. Any recovery in prices will depend on downstream demand improvement, inventory drawdowns, and structural adjustments in phenol-acetone operating rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did acetone prices decline in Q3 2025

Prices fell due to persistent oversupply, weak downstream demand, high inventories, and limited export opportunities across all major regions.

Which sectors most influenced acetone demand

BPA, MMA, coatings, industrial solvents, and plastics remained the key demand drivers, though all operated at subdued levels.

Did production disruptions support prices

Isolated disruptions occurred, but overall plant operations remained normal, preventing sustained price support.

What is the outlook for acetone prices

The outlook suggests modest volatility with constrained recovery until demand fundamentals improve.

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How ChemAnalyst Supports Buyers and Industry Participants

ChemAnalyst provides comprehensive real-time market intelligence for acetone and over 450 commodities worldwide. Through weekly price updates, detailed price indices, and region-specific market analysis, ChemAnalyst enables buyers to track pricing trends and understand the precise reasons behind market movements.

Our price forecasts help procurement teams optimize purchasing timing, manage budget risks, and anticipate market shifts. Additionally, ChemAnalyst tracks plant shutdowns, maintenance schedules, logistics disruptions, and trade-flow changes to assess supply risks proactively.

Backed by a team of chemical engineers, economists, and supply-chain experts, and supported by on-ground intelligence across major global ports, ChemAnalyst delivers accurate, actionable insights that empower buyers to make informed decisions in volatile markets.

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