What is Acetone
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
28.7%
Neutral
36.8%
Bearish
34.5%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Neutral
There were no major supply disruptions or inventory changes reported for acetone this past week.
Demand from key end-use industries remained steady without notable expansion or contraction.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Neutral
Acetone prices are expected to trade in a narrow range due to balanced supply and demand conditions.
The absence of market-moving announcements or macro shifts this week limits directional momentum.
A sudden regulatory change affecting chemical feedstock availability would challenge the current balance.
Key Market Impact
With stable production and consumption, neither cost-push nor demand-pull forces are currently driving meaningful price changes.
Traders and refiners are likely to maintain cautious positioning, awaiting fresh catalysts before adjusting exposure.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Sharp Decline (2020-01 to 2020-12): Prices dropped steadily from $700 in January 2020 to $260 in December 2020, despite no recorded influence factors in the log.
Phase 2 — Continued Decline (2021-01 to 2022-12): Price decline persisted from $240 in January 2021 to a low of $35 in December 2022, with influence log showing no factors reported for the entire period.
Phase 3 — Price Recovery (2023-01 to 2025-12): Prices recovered gradually from $40 in January 2023 to $330 in December 2025, still with no recorded external influence according to the data provided.
Phase 4 — Early 2026 Uptick (2026-01 to 2026-06-08): Prices climbed from $340 in January 2026 to $400 in early June 2026, continuing the upward trend with no documented specific factors.
Supply-side factors
- No supply-side factors reported in the influence log for the period 2020 through mid-2026.
Demand-side factors
- No demand-side factors reported in the influence log for the period 2020 through mid-2026.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK, butanone) | The closest functional substitute for acetone as an industrial solvent. Used as a drop-in or partial replacement in coatings, adhesives, magnetic tapes, and printing inks where a slightly higher boiling point (80 °C vs 56 °C) and slower evaporation rate are acceptable or preferred. Requires no significant reformulation in most solvent-blend applications. Preferred when lower volatility reduces VOC emissions or fire risk. |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | Substitutes for acetone in applications requiring lower water miscibility and slower evaporation, such as solvent extraction, surface coatings, and rubber processing. Not a drop-in replacement due to different solvency parameters (higher KB value) and higher boiling point (116 °C); formulation adjustment is needed. Also used as a partial replacement in nail-care products and adhesives. |
| Isopropanol (IPA) | Replaces acetone as a cleaning and degreasing solvent in electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and surface preparation. IPA is often preferred where a protic solvent is acceptable and where acetone's aggressive attack on certain plastics (e.g. polystyrene, ABS) is undesirable. Widely used as a drop-in substitute in hand sanitizers and medical-grade cleaning where acetone's flammability is a concern. |
| Ethyl Acetate | Substitutes for acetone in coatings, nail polish, and adhesive formulations, particularly in markets seeking lower toxicity profiles and reduced odor intensity. Requires minor reformulation due to different evaporation rate and solvency. Increasingly preferred in food-contact and cosmetic applications where acetone's regulatory status is more restrictive. |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | Replaces acetone as a polar aprotic solvent in pharmaceutical synthesis, chemical reactions, and laboratory applications where a higher boiling point, lower volatility, and stronger solvating power for salts and polar compounds are needed. Not a drop-in replacement; requires process redesign due to very different physical properties (bp 189 °C, non-flammable). Used in specialty and fine-chemical synthesis. |
| Cyclopentanone / Cyclohexanone | Substitute for acetone in specialty coatings and polymer-dissolution applications (e.g. dissolving nylon or polyurethane) where a higher-boiling ketone solvent with stronger solvency for engineering polymers is required. Not interchangeable in general solvent use; applied in niche industrial cleaning and coating formulations. |
| Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether (PGME / 1-methoxy-2-propanol) | Replaces acetone in waterborne coatings, cleaning agents, and electronics cleaning where a slower-evaporating, lower-flammability glycol ether is preferred. Requires reformulation. Widely adopted in low-VOC and low-odor coating systems as a co-solvent replacing acetone or MEK blends. |
| Bio-based / Green Solvents (e.g. Cyrene, Ethyl Lactate) | Emerging substitutes for acetone in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical synthesis driven by green chemistry mandates. Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone, derived from cellulose) and ethyl lactate (from lactic acid fermentation) can replace acetone in certain dissolution and reaction-medium applications. Currently limited by cost and availability; require process validation and are not drop-in replacements. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Acetone | Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) | Listed II | Acetic anhydride, Acetone, Benzyl chloride, Diethyl ether, Potassium permanganate, 2-Butanone (or methyl ethyl ketone or MEK) | https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/orangebook.pdf |
| US | Exempted Compound | US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 1995 | Acetone | https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/complete-list-voc-exemption-rules |
| India | Anti-Dumping Duty on Acetone | Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) | 2019 | Definitive anti-dumping duties imposed on imports originating in or exported from European Union, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, South Africa and USA | https://dgtr.gov.in/en/anti-dumping-cases/acetone-originating-or-exported-european-union-chinese-taipei-singapore-south |
| US | Anti-Dumping Duty Orders on Acetone | US International Trade Commission (USITC) | 2026 (five-year sunset review) | Orders remain in place for imports from Belgium, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Spain; revocation would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury | https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0107_67944.htm |
Key Influence Events
Acetone (systematic name: propan-2-one; CAS 67-64-1) is the simplest and most commercially important ketone, with the molecular formula (CH₃)₂CO and a molecular weight of 58.08 g/mol. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity odor, a boiling point of 56.05 °C, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Acetone occurs naturally in small amounts in the human body as a metabolic byproduct of fat breakdown and is found in trace quantities in the environment. Industrially, the overwhelming majority of acetone is produced as a co-product of phenol via the cumene hydroperoxide (Hock) process, where one mole of acetone is generated for every mole of phenol. It serves as a critical industrial solvent in coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and electronics cleaning, and as a key chemical intermediate in the manufacture of methyl methacrylate (MMA), bisphenol A (BPA), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and isophorone.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Acetone
Acetone (systematic name: propan-2-one; CAS 67-64-1) is the simplest and most commercially important ketone, with the molecular formula (CH₃)₂CO and a molecular weight of 58.08 g/mol. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity odor, a boiling point of 56.05 °C, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Acetone occurs naturally in small amounts in the human body as a metabolic byproduct of fat breakdown and is found in trace quantities in the environment. Industrially, the overwhelming majority of acetone is produced as a co-product of phenol via the cumene hydroperoxide (Hock) process, where one mole of acetone is generated for every mole of phenol. It serves as a critical industrial solvent in coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and electronics cleaning, and as a key chemical intermediate in the manufacture of methyl methacrylate (MMA), bisphenol A (BPA), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and isophorone.
Specs & Grades
| Property / Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Acetone content) | ≥ 99.5 | wt% | Industrial / Technical Grade |
| Purity (Acetone content) | ≥ 99.9 | wt% | Reagent / ACS Grade |
| Water content | ≤ 0.5 | wt% | Industrial Grade |
| Water content | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | Reagent / ACS Grade |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | ≤ 0.002 | wt% | ACS Grade |
| Alkalinity (as NH₃) | ≤ 0.001 | wt% | ACS Grade |
| Methanol content | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | Industrial Grade |
| Aldehyde content (as acetaldehyde) | ≤ 0.002 | wt% | ACS Grade |
| Non-volatile residue | ≤ 0.001 | wt% | ACS Grade |
| Color (APHA / Hazen) | ≤ 10 | APHA | Industrial / Reagent Grade |
| Specific gravity (20°C/20°C) | 0.789 – 0.791 | — | All grades |
| Boiling point (at 1 atm) | 56.0 – 56.1 | °C | All grades |
| Flash point (closed cup) | -20 | °C | All grades |
| Refractive index (n²⁰D) | 1.358 – 1.359 | — | Reagent Grade |
| Electronic / Semiconductor Grade purity | ≥ 99.99 | wt% | SEMI / Electronic Grade |
| Metals (individual, e.g. Fe, Na, K) | ≤ 1 | ppb | Electronic Grade |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| INEOS Phenol | London, United Kingdom | Gladbeck, Germany, Antwerp, Belgium, Mobile, Alabama, USA, Pasadena, Texas, USA |
| Mitsui Chemicals | Tokyo, Japan | Osaka, Japan, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan, Takaishi, Osaka, Japan |
| Shell | London, United Kingdom | Geismar, Louisiana, USA, Deer Park, Texas, USA, Norco, Louisiana, USA |
| SABIC | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia |
| Kumho P&B | Seoul, South Korea | Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, South Korea |
| CEPSA | Madrid, Spain | Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain, Shanghai, China |
| LG Chem | Seoul, South Korea | Daesan, South Korea |
| Formosa | Taipei, Taiwan | Mailiao, Yunlin, Taiwan |
| Sinopec | Beijing, China | Shanghai, China, Beijing, China, Tianjin, China |
| Solvay | Brussels, Belgium | Paulínia, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Borealis | Vienna, Austria | Porvoo, Finland |
Our Analysis are Happy
"Global volatility doesn't have to be a risk for your business. We monitor feedstock shifts and geopolitical trends daily to help you anticipate price movements before they hit the market."
Theo James
"Data is only as good as its source. We go beyond the numbers to ensure that the product grade you select matches your specific application, reducing waste and optimizing your operational efficiency."
Emilia Munro
"Timing is everything in petrochemical procurement. Our goal is to align your purchasing cycles with market troughs, effectively lowering your cost basis and maximizing your margins."
Branden Griffiths
we’re here to all your questions
Everything you need to know about our market analysis, product quality, and procurement process.
How much for a custom market analysis?
Costs vary based on the scope. Please contact our sales team for a custom quote.
Do you offer trade credit or bulk pricing?
Yes, we offer flexible payment terms and volume-based pricing for corporate accounts.
Do you provide product quality documentation?
Yes, every delivery includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and safety documentation (MSDS).
Can you help me select the right product specification?
Certainly. Our technical experts are available to guide you to the ideal grade for your specific application.