Acrylonitrile Price Trend Report and Forecast 2026-2027

Introduction: Why Acrylonitrile Matters

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a critical petrochemical intermediate used in the production of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins, acrylic fibres, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) polymers, nitrile rubber (NBR), and adiponitrile for nylon manufacturing. The acrylonitrile price trend is a key indicator of broader industrial activity, reflecting demand cycles across the automotive, construction, textiles, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.

Commercially, acrylonitrile is produced primarily via the ammoxidation of propylene (the SOHIO process), which accounts for approximately 90% of global production. As a result, the acrylonitrile cost is closely linked to propylene market movements, crude oil and refinery economics, downstream ABS and acrylic fibre demand, and global polymer trade flows. Understanding the acrylonitrile price structure is essential for procurement planning across polymer and industrial value chains.

Sources: Expert Market Research, Acrylonitrile Pricing Report FY25; Procurement Resource; ICIS

Key Sectors Driving Acrylonitrile Demand

ABS/SAN Resins (37–45% of consumption): ABS is the single largest application for acrylonitrile, used extensively in automotive components, electronics housings, consumer goods, and construction materials. ABS demand is a primary driver of the acrylonitrile market.

Acrylic Fibres: Acrylonitrile is the primary monomer for acrylic and modacrylic fibres used in sportswear, carpets, upholstery, and fleece garments. The textile sector’s performance directly influences acrylonitrile price dynamics.

Nitrile Rubber (NBR): NBR, produced from acrylonitrile and butadiene, is used in fuel hoses, seals, and gaskets across the automotive and oil and gas industries.

Carbon Fibre and Adiponitrile: Acrylic fibres serve as precursors in carbon fibre production for aerospace and automotive lightweighting, while adiponitrile is used in nylon 6,6 manufacturing.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; ICIS; U.S. EPA

Global Acrylonitrile Market Overview

Global acrylonitrile consumption reached approximately 6,685 kilotonnes in 2024, with installed capacity at approximately 8,600 kilotonnes. The acrylonitrile market was valued at approximately USD 11.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4–4.5% through 2034. Asia-Pacific accounts for approximately 70% of global demand, driven by extensive ABS and electronics manufacturing bases in China, Japan, and South Korea.

The top five producers-INEOS, Asahi Kasei, PetroChina, Jiangsu Sailboat, and CNPC-together hold approximately 49% of global capacity. FY25 was characterised by persistent downward acrylonitrile price pressure driven by weak ABS and construction demand, sluggish automotive production growth, elevated inventories, and competitive export pressure from Asian producers.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; ICIS; GlobalData

Global Acrylonitrile Price Trend FY25

The global acrylonitrile price trend in FY25 was predominantly bearish. Most regions recorded steady quarter-on-quarter declines from Q2 FY25 onward, with the sharpest corrections in Northeast Asia and China where structural oversupply weighed heavily on pricing.

The most significant regional correction occurred in China (-18% Q2 FY25), driven by elevated domestic production capacity, sluggish downstream acrylic fibre and ABS demand, and an inventory correction cycle. Northeast Asia followed with a 15% Q2 decline reflecting aggressive acrylonitrile price competition and weak Chinese ABS production.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; ICIS

Europe: Acrylonitrile Price Trends FY25

European acrylonitrile prices increased in Q2 FY25 reflecting feedstock propylene cost pass-through and temporary supply tightness. From Q3 onward, the acrylonitrile price declined steadily due to weak automotive ABS demand, construction sector stagnation, and competitive Asian imports. High inventory levels and muted downstream offtake kept the acrylonitrile cost under pressure through Q4.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; ICIS

North America: Acrylonitrile Price Trends FY25

North American acrylonitrile prices demonstrated a clear bearish trend, with the sharpest decline in Q3 FY25 (-8.5%) reflecting reduced ABS production rates, lower automotive output, and soft nitrile rubber demand. Stable-to-lower propylene feedstock costs removed cost-push support. By Q4, the acrylonitrile price decline moderated as cautious buying and improved sentiment provided a tentative floor.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research

South America: Acrylonitrile Price Trends FY25

South America experienced one of the most prolonged acrylonitrile price declines during FY25. The 7% Q2 drop was driven by weak regional manufacturing activity and strong import competition. Prices stabilised near the bottom in Q3–Q4, with the marginal +0.4% Q4 recovery reflecting tentative demand improvement rather than any structural shift in the acrylonitrile market.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource

Northeast Asia: Acrylonitrile Price Trends FY25

Northeast Asia recorded the steepest early-period correction, with the acrylonitrile price falling 15% in Q2 FY25 due to aggressive competition, weak Chinese ABS production, and high regional supply availability. China’s pricing mirrored this weakness with an 18% Q2 FY25 decline reflecting elevated domestic capacity and an inventory correction cycle. The acrylonitrile cost environment in the region remained under sustained pressure through Q4 as oversupply persisted.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; ICIS

Acrylonitrile Market Outlook: FY26

The acrylonitrile forecast for FY26 reflects a market transitioning from persistent decline toward cautious stabilisation. Downward acrylonitrile price pressure is expected to continue through H1 FY26 across all regions before early price floor formation emerges in the second half:

• Europe: Continued moderate-to-sharp declines expected through H1 FY26 as weak ABS demand and competitive Asian imports persist. Gradual stabilisation anticipated in Q3, with a modest recovery by Q4 as selective restocking and improved industrial sentiment provide early support for the acrylonitrile price.
• North America: Bearish pressure likely to extend through mid-FY26, reflecting weak derivative demand and elevated inventories. Stabilisation expected to emerge from Q3 onward as production discipline in high-cost regions constrains supply and cautious restocking begins.
• South America: Renewed downward pressure expected in H1 FY26, with the region recording some of the steepest quarterly declines. Tentative stabilisation may emerge by Q4, though structural acrylonitrile market recovery remains limited given weak regional manufacturing activity.
• Northeast Asia: Persistent oversupply expected to drive further declines through H1 FY26. Price floor formation may begin toward year-end as selective restocking, improved automotive sentiment, and potential capacity rationalisation provide early support for the acrylonitrile cost environment.
• China: The acrylonitrile forecast for China remains bearish through H1 FY26, mirroring broader Asian weakness. Meaningful recovery is contingent on capacity rationalisation, inventory normalisation, and a sustained rebound in downstream ABS and acrylic fibre demand.

A sustained acrylonitrile price rebound will require meaningful downstream demand recovery, capacity rationalisation, inventory normalisation, and a stronger propylene cost environment.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; ICIS

Key Takeaways for Buyers and Manufacturers

For Procurement Teams

• Q1–Q2 FY26 represents the optimal window for forward contract negotiations as the acrylonitrile cost remains at multi-quarter lows across all regions.
• Monitor propylene feedstock prices closely. Any sustained propylene recovery would re-introduce cost-push support for acrylonitrile pricing.
• Northeast Asia and China offer the lowest acrylonitrile price levels, presenting opportunities for import-dependent buyers to secure competitive spot volumes.

For Manufacturers

• Structural oversupply requires continued production discipline. High-cost producers face margin compression as acrylonitrile prices remain below FY25 Q1 baselines.
• ABS demand recovery is the single most important catalyst for an acrylonitrile market rebound. Monitor automotive production and construction starts as leading indicators.
• Carbon fibre applications represent a high-growth niche. Manufacturers with integrated carbon fibre downstream exposure are better positioned to weather the acrylonitrile price downturn.

Analyst Insights

The acrylonitrile price trend through FY25–FY26 confirms a fundamentally oversupplied market. Key dynamics include persistent weakness in ABS, construction, and automotive sectors suppressing demand recovery, elevated global inventories limiting restocking urgency, competitive Asian export pressure weighing on all regional markets, soft propylene feedstock pricing removing cost-push support, and the U.S. EPA’s designation of acrylonitrile as a High-Priority Substance under TSCA, which may drive additional compliance costs for producers.

Until structural supply-demand balance improves, the acrylonitrile forecast points to range-bound pricing with limited upside momentum. The consistent +2% recovery across multiple regions in Q4 FY26 suggests early price floor formation, but a sustained rebound remains contingent on downstream demand recovery and capacity rationalisation.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; ICIS; U.S. EPA

Acrylonitrile Specifications and Global Trade

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; ICIS

Sources and References

1. Expert Market Research, Acrylonitrile Pricing Report FY25 Edition
2. Procurement Resource, Acrylonitrile Price Trend Report FY25
3. ICIS, Acrylonitrile Market Analytics and Pricing Data FY25–FY26
4. GlobalData, Global Acrylonitrile Industry Outlook to 2028
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), TSCA High-Priority Substance Designations 2024
6. World Bank, World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS), HS 292610 Trade Data
7. INEOS Group Ltd., Acrylonitrile Production and Capacity Data
8. Asahi Kasei Corporation, Annual Report FY25
9. PetroChina Company Limited, Petrochemical Segment Overview
10. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Chemical Operations Report
11. Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical, Production Capacity Data
12. U.S. International Trade Commission, HS 292610 Import/Export Statistics
13. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Acrylonitrile Substance Information
14. IHS Markit (S&P Global), Propylene Market Overview FY25
15. Flexport Trade Data, HS Code 292610 Acrylonitrile Trade Flows