Market sources report that Kyodo Sakusan has resumed operations at its acetic acid unit located in Aboshi, Japan. According to industry participants, the company is heard to have restarted the plant on September 1, 2025, following a maintenance shutdown that began on August 19, 2025.
While confirmation from an official company spokesperson has not been obtained, traders and buyers in the region have taken note of the development, as the restart restores a key source of acetic acid supply in the Japanese market. The Aboshi unit carries a production capacity of 450,000 metric tons per year, making it a substantial contributor to both domestic availability and regional trade flows.
Acetic acid is a critical chemical intermediate, widely used in the manufacture of derivatives such as vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and acetic anhydride. With applications spanning adhesives, coatings, textiles, and packaging, fluctuations in production levels at major facilities like Aboshi can influence downstream industries and supply-demand balances across Asia.
Industry observers note that the timing of the restart comes at a juncture when the regional market is sensitive to feedstock availability, and the resumption of output could help stabilize supplies in the near term. Market participants are expected to monitor the plant’s operating stability in the coming weeks, as well as any follow-up announcements from the company that might confirm operational rates or adjustments to production strategies.
The restart of Kyodo Sakusan’s Aboshi unit reinforces Japan’s role as an important player in the Asian acetic acid trade, with the plant’s operations likely to be closely tracked by stakeholders across the value chain.
