In Mailiao, Taiwan, a significant development appears to be shaping the downstream chemicals landscape: Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC) is reportedly planning a maintenance turnaround of its Acrylonitrile (ACN) production unit in mid-December 2025. This information comes via a source based in Taiwan, though no public confirmation or detailed timeline has yet been released.
Mailiao’s ACN facility is no small player, its annual production capacity is approximately 280,000 metric tonnes per year. With the ACN market already sensitive to supply fluctuations, any extended downtime could ripple through derivatives segments, feedstock supply chains, and contract negotiations in both domestic and export markets.
At present, the exact duration of the planned shutdown remains unclear. Market participants are keeping a close watch for indications from Formosa or related agencies about how long operations will be halted, and how quickly the unit will return to full capacity once maintenance is complete.
Should the unit be offline for several weeks, the effect could be material. Buying patterns may shift, inventories might be drawn down, and spot ACN supply could tighten. Meanwhile, competitors might respond with pricing adjustments. On the infrastructure side, logistics tied to Mailiao, including feedstock delivery and utility support, will also be tested, depending on the scope of remedial work.
The announcement has prompted speculation that Formosa might be aligning this maintenance with less busy seasonal demand, or anticipating regulatory, environmental, or operational pressures that necessitate periodic review. Whatever the reason, the market is bracing for possible supply disruptions in ACN and its associated chemical streams.
