Global Chemical Market Weekly Report (June 20–26, 2026): Supply Restructuring And Export Demand Shifts For Specialty Chemicals

The global specialty chemical industry underwent significant supply restructuring and differentiated demand fluctuations over the past week (June 20 to June 26, 2026). Driven by widespread seasonal equipment maintenance in Chinese chemical parks, continuous shutdowns of European and American outdated chemical capacity, and rising upstream raw material prices, cross-border trade prices for multiple fine chemical products maintained a firm upward trend. Three core export chemicals, Acetic Anhydride, Aluminum Powder, and Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid (ATMP), recorded notable changes in order volume, inventory levels and FOB quotations, becoming key focus products for global industrial buyers and chemical distributors in late June.

 

The organic fine chemical segment witnessed steady price increases for Acetic Anhydride this week, strongly supported by upstream acetic acid cost hikes. According to latest domestic industry data, China's mainstream acetic acid market prices rose by 3.41% week-on-week, directly pushing up the comprehensive production cost of Acetic Anhydride. Many major Chinese manufacturers launched centralized mid-year equipment maintenance starting late June, trimming the overall operating rate of acetic anhydride production lines by nearly 12%. This temporary supply tightening quickly consumed social spot inventory, ending the previous loose market situation.

 

As a vital acetylation intermediate widely used in pharmaceutical intermediates, cellulose acetate and dye synthesis, Acetic Anhydride maintains an irreplaceable position in the global downstream industrial chain. European local chemical capacity continues to shrink in 2026 due to high energy costs and environmental policy upgrades, forcing regional downstream manufacturers to rely heavily on Chinese imports. This week, inquiry volume from Southeast Asian pharmaceutical and textile enterprises increased significantly, with most buyers actively locking medium-term contracts to hedge against expected Q3 price increases. Both industrial grade and high-purity pharma grade Acetic Anhydride maintained firm export quotations with limited negotiation space for spot orders.

 

In the non-ferrous metal powder industry, Aluminum Powder showed diverging demand performance across global regional markets. Benefiting from the booming marine engineering and container manufacturing industry, Southeast Asia's import demand for flaky leafing aluminum powder for anti-corrosion coatings remained strong throughout the week. Meanwhile, European and North American buyers focused on high-purity spherical atomized Aluminum Powder, which is widely applied in powder metallurgy and new energy automotive parts production. Strict EU REACH environmental standards have raised entry thresholds for low-quality powder products, further boosting the export competitiveness of high-purity Chinese Aluminum Powder.

 

Different from organic chemicals, the market supply of Aluminum Powder remained relatively stable this week. Most domestic manufacturers maintained normal operating rates with sufficient inventory reserves, avoiding sharp price fluctuations. Industry insiders revealed that the market will usher in the traditional peak stocking season in July and August, as global fireworks and coating enterprises prepare for year-end production. Current off-season stable prices have prompted many overseas distributors to carry out moderate advance stocking to reduce future procurement costs.

 

The industrial water treatment chemical sector maintained steady export momentum for Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid (ATMP). With global ambient temperatures rising continuously in late June, scaling and corrosion problems of industrial circulating water systems in power plants, chemical factories and refineries have become more prominent, driving rigid demand for high-efficiency scale and corrosion inhibitors. As a mature and cost-effective organic phosphonate water treatment agent, ATMP features excellent high-temperature stability and strong metal chelating performance, suitable for various harsh industrial water quality environments.

 

China dominates more than 80% of the global Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid (ATMP) production capacity with complete industrial chain supporting advantages. This week, domestic manufacturers operated at full capacity to meet overseas export orders, with sufficient inventory of 50% liquid ATMP and solid powder ATMP. Affected by increasingly strict global industrial water reuse policies, overseas demand for environmentally friendly and high-efficiency water treatment chemicals continues to grow steadily. Unlike fluctuating bulk chemicals, ATMP market prices remained flat with small adjustment ranges, providing stable procurement conditions for long-term cooperative overseas customers.

 

In terms of global logistics and trade environment, chemical freight rates from China to Europe and Southeast Asia rose slightly this week due to partial port congestion and tight dangerous goods cabin space. As corrosive hazardous goods, Acetic Anhydride faces stricter shipment declaration and stowage requirements, leading to slightly extended delivery cycles. Aluminum Powder, classified as flammable solids, and general-grade Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid (ATMP) have flexible shipping conditions and fast customs clearance efficiency, ensuring smooth and timely delivery of bulk export orders.

 

Looking ahead to early July 2026, the global chemical market will continue its structural strong operation trend. Acetic Anhydride prices will remain firm amid tight pre-maintenance supply. Aluminum Powder will gradually welcome seasonal demand growth with rising market sentiment. Amino Trimethylene Phosphonic Acid (ATMP) will maintain stable demand supported by continuous industrial water treatment needs. For global industrial buyers, locking long-term fixed-price supply contracts with qualified Chinese manufacturers is still the most reliable way to avoid short-term supply chain risks and stabilize procurement costs.