Regional acrylonitrile (ACN) markets are monitoring supply conditions after Sumitomo Chemical Asia unexpectedly shut down its ACN production facility in late August. According to a source in Japan, operations at the Niihama plant were halted around August 25, 2025, though the precise cause and the anticipated duration of the outage have not yet been disclosed.
The plant, which boasts a production capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year, is a key supplier of ACN, a critical raw material used in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, plastics, and synthetic rubber. Industry participants note that no official statement has been released by the company, adding to market speculation about whether the shutdown is for routine maintenance, technical issues, or broader operational considerations.
Market analysts suggest that any extended downtime could tighten ACN availability in Asia and potentially exert upward pressure on prices, particularly as demand from downstream sectors such as automotive and textiles remains steady. Buyers and traders are now watching closely for confirmation from Sumitomo Chemical Asia regarding a restart schedule to assess potential impacts on supply contracts and regional trade flows.
