The global acetic anhydride price trends have shown a notable downward trajectory through the last quarter of 2024, largely driven by weak downstream demand, stable production rates, and comfortable supply availability across the Far East Asian market. Industrial-grade acetic anhydride, crucial in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and chemical synthesis, experienced consistent year-on-year price declines, highlighting ongoing softness across the broader acetyl value chain.In October 2024, acetic anhydride prices reached 750 USD/TON, a sharp decline from 900 USD/TON recorded in October 2023, representing a 16.7% YoY drop. This marked the beginning of a subdued quarter characterized by diminishing consumption from key end-use sectors. The downward movement continued in November, with prices falling from 790 USD/TON in 2023 to 700 USD/TON in 2024, reflecting an 11.4% YoY decrease. The trend deepened in December, where prices slipped further to 685 USD/TON, significantly lower than the 845 USD/TON registered during the same month in 2023—an 18.9% YoY decline.
Get the Real-Time Price Analysis
Multiple market dynamics contributed to this sustained softness. One of the primary factors was the decline in demand from the pharmaceuticals and cellulose acetate industries, two key consumers of acetic anhydride. Persistent inventory overhangs in these sectors reduced procurement activity, which in turn suppressed price support. Additionally, the feedstock market—particularly acetic acid—remained well supplied, keeping input costs under control and enabling producers to offer competitive pricing without margin pressure.
Producers in the Far East Asian region also maintained stable operating rates throughout the quarter. With production capacities running at comfortable levels and no major disruptions affecting output, regional supply remained ample. This oversupply scenario further reinforced the downward pressure on market prices, particularly as export demand from other regions also remained muted.
Logistical stability during the period provided another layer of downward influence. With reduced freight challenges compared to previous years, importers and distributors faced fewer cost inflations, enabling product movement at lower overall expenses. This facilitated smooth availability across key markets without any urgency-driven buying.
Looking ahead, Expert Market Research forecasts indicate that acetic anhydride prices in 2025 are expected to remain stable to slightly declining. Weak demand signals from pharmaceuticals and film manufacturing, combined with continued comfort in feedstock supply, are likely to keep price levels balanced. Unless major supply disruptions or unexpected consumption surges occur, the market is expected to follow a relatively steady pricing pattern.
The Acetic Anhydride Price Trends for 2024 clearly reflect a market under demand pressure, with ample supply reinforcing price softness. Moving into 2025, the outlook remains stable, guided by muted demand and consistent production activity.