What is Maleic Anhydride
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
52.7%
Neutral
13.7%
Bearish
33.6%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-05-31 to 2026-06-06) — Sentiment: Mixed
Domestic maleic anhydride prices in Shandong showed volatile upward movements by May 31, supporting supply-side price strength between 7,000 and 7,400 RMB/ton.
Prices in Northeast and Southeast Asia climbed sharply in May by 9.3% and 14.3% respectively, bolstering regional demand signals for maleic anhydride derivatives.
Volatility and risk over Brent crude due to Iran ceasefire developments and Hormuz Strait threats sustained elevated feedstock costs, applying upward production cost pressure that restrained margins.
This Week (2026-06-07 to 2026-06-13) — Outlook: Bullish
US Manufacturing PMI expansion released June 3 signals stronger downstream demand globally for maleic anhydride derivatives, providing near-term bullish momentum.
The ongoing resolution of Gulf turmoil with easing crude prices post-May 6 may reduce feedstock cost volatility, confirming a more stable supply cost environment (expected).
A renewed spike in geopolitical tensions around Hormuz could rapidly drive feedstock costs higher, reversing currently improving margin dynamics and flipping sentiment bearish.
Key Market Impact
The dominant price driver currently is strong downstream demand and regional price gains overcoming feedstock cost pressures, pushing maleic anhydride prices higher overall.
Traders and buyers will likely secure inventories and lengthen forward contracts to lock in prices amid lifting demand and stabilizing but still sensitive feedstock supply risks.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Initial Decline (2020-01 to 2020-12): Prices steadily dropped from $850.0 to $570.0 driven by a stable but subdued market environment noted in the influence log, with no specific events recorded.
Phase 2 — Recovery and Growth (2021-01 to 2021-12): Prices rose from $560.0 to $850.0 as the market began normalizing, supported by a continued lack of external disruptions noted in the influence data.
Phase 3 — Accelerated Increase (2022-01 to 2022-08): Prices climbed sharply from $880.0 to $1150.0, with a notable price jump of $50.0 in June 2022 indicating stronger market dynamics, while the influence log remained without event annotations.
Phase 4 — Steady Rise (2022-09 to 2026-06-08): Prices increased gradually from $1180.0 in September 2022 to $2080.0 in June 2026, reflecting a long-term upward trend in the absence of recorded influential factors.
Supply-side factors
- No specific supply-side factors recorded in the influence log from 2020 to mid-2026.
Demand-side factors
- No explicit demand-side influences documented in the provided events data during the entire period.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Phthalic Anhydride | Can partially substitute maleic anhydride in alkyd resin and polyester resin formulations where some reduction in unsaturation is acceptable. Used as a co-anhydride to adjust flexibility and reactivity of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR); not a drop-in replacement for applications requiring the reactive double bond, but widely used in combination or as a partial replacement in saturated polyester and alkyd coatings. |
| Fumaric Acid | The trans-isomer of maleic acid; can replace maleic anhydride in unsaturated polyester resin production after hydration, offering similar crosslinkable unsaturation. Preferred in some food-grade and pharmaceutical applications (acidulant, dough conditioner) where maleic anhydride is not permitted. Requires reformulation since it is a diacid rather than an anhydride, affecting processing temperatures and water balance. |
| Itaconic Acid / Itaconic Anhydride | Bio-based alternative with a reactive double bond; can substitute maleic anhydride in copolymer synthesis (e.g., superabsorbent polymers, detergent builders, coatings) and in some resin applications. Increasingly considered for sustainability-driven reformulations. Requires process and formulation adjustments due to different reactivity and molecular weight. |
| Acrylic Acid | Substitutes maleic anhydride in polymer and copolymer applications requiring pendant carboxylic acid functionality, such as superabsorbent polymers, dispersants, and scale inhibitors. Not interchangeable where the cyclic anhydride or the cis-double bond geometry is specifically required, but used as an alternative monomer in many water-treatment and detergent polymer formulations. |
| Succinic Anhydride | Can replace maleic anhydride in certain resin, adhesive, and chemical intermediate applications where the carbon–carbon double bond is not needed (i.e., where only the anhydride reactivity is required). Used as a substitute in paper sizing agents and some epoxy curing agent formulations. Bio-based succinic anhydride is available, making it attractive for green chemistry substitution. |
| Citric Acid | Substitutes maleic anhydride as a crosslinking agent and acidulant in textile finishing (wrinkle-resistant cotton treatment) and some polymer applications. Requires different processing conditions and is a partial, application-specific replacement rather than a general substitute. Preferred where non-toxic, food-safe, or biodegradable crosslinkers are mandated. |
| Trimellitic Anhydride (TMA) | Substitutes maleic anhydride in high-performance alkyd and polyimide resin formulations requiring greater thermal stability and higher functionality. Used in wire enamel, plasticizers (TOTM precursor), and specialty coatings where elevated heat resistance is needed. Not cost-competitive for commodity UPR applications but a direct functional substitute in specialty resin markets. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | 1971 (current) | 0.25 ppm (1 mg/m³) TWA; respiratory sensitization noted in GHS | https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/81 |
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 (current harmonised classification) | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled; may cause an allergic skin reaction (Resp. Sens. 1, Skin Sens. 1A); no authorisation or restriction | https://www.chemos.de/import/data/msds/GB_en/108-31-6-A0001137-GB-en.pdf |
| EU | CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2015 (harmonised) | Resp. Sens. 1, Skin Sens. 1A (ECHA CLH report) | https://nfa.elsevierpure.com/ws/portalfiles/portal/45342340/Maleic_Acid_Anhydride_OEL_report_2024.pdf |
| India | Anti-Dumping Investigation on Maleic Anhydride | Directorate General of Anti Dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD), Ministry of Commerce & Industry | 2008 (ongoing as of 2026) | Dumping margins under investigation for imports originating in/ exported from China PR, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei (no definitive duties imposed) | https://dgtr.gov.in/en/anti-dumping-cases/maleic-anhydride-man-originating-or-exported-china-pr-indonesia-and-chinese |
| International | IMDG Code (UN Model Regulations) | International Maritime Organization (IMDG) | Current (UN 2215) | UN 2215; hazard class 8; packing group III | https://www.chemos.de/import/data/msds/GB_en/108-31-6-A0001137-GB-en.pdf |
Key Influence Events
Maleic anhydride (CAS 108-31-6) is the cyclic anhydride of maleic acid, appearing as a white crystalline solid with a sharp, acrid odor. Its molecular formula is C4H2O3 (molecular weight 98.06 g/mol) and it melts at approximately 52–53 °C. It is a highly reactive bifunctional compound containing both a carbon–carbon double bond and an anhydride group, making it a versatile intermediate in organic synthesis. Commercially, it is produced primarily by the catalytic vapor-phase oxidation of n-butane (and historically benzene) over vanadium-phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalysts. It is widely used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, fumaric and malic acids, agricultural chemicals (malathion), lubricant additives, and copolymers such as styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA).
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Maleic Anhydride
Maleic anhydride (CAS 108-31-6) is the cyclic anhydride of maleic acid, appearing as a white crystalline solid with a sharp, acrid odor. Its molecular formula is C4H2O3 (molecular weight 98.06 g/mol) and it melts at approximately 52–53 °C. It is a highly reactive bifunctional compound containing both a carbon–carbon double bond and an anhydride group, making it a versatile intermediate in organic synthesis. Commercially, it is produced primarily by the catalytic vapor-phase oxidation of n-butane (and historically benzene) over vanadium-phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalysts. It is widely used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, fumaric and malic acids, agricultural chemicals (malathion), lubricant additives, and copolymers such as styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA).
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Maleic Anhydride content) | ≥ 99.5 | wt% | Technical / Industrial Grade |
| Purity (Maleic Anhydride content) | ≥ 99.8 | wt% | Refined / High-Purity Grade |
| Color (APHA, molten) | ≤ 10 | APHA | Refined Grade |
| Color (APHA, molten) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Technical Grade |
| Melting Point | 52.5 – 53.5 | °C | All Grades |
| Acidity (as Maleic Acid) | ≤ 0.1 | wt% | Technical Grade |
| Acidity (as Maleic Acid) | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | Refined Grade |
| Iron Content | ≤ 5 | ppm | Refined Grade |
| Iron Content | ≤ 10 | ppm | Technical Grade |
| Ash Content | ≤ 0.005 | wt% | All Grades |
| Water Content | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | All Grades |
| Boiling Point | 202 | °C | Reference |
| Flash Point (closed cup) | 102 | °C | Reference |
| Physical Form (commercial) | Molten liquid, flakes, briquettes, or prills | — | All Grades |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsman Corporation | The Woodlands, Texas, USA | Geismar, Louisiana, Pensacola, Florida |
| Lanxess AG | Cologne, Germany | |
| Polynt S.p.A. | Scanzorosciate, Italy | Ravenna, Italy, Morris, Illinois, USA |
| Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. | Osaka, Japan | Himeji, Hyogo, Japan |
| Sasol Limited | Johannesburg, South Africa | Geismar, Louisiana, USA, Moers, Germany |
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