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Indicative price brief for Adipic Acid - Asia. Methodology: trade publications, broker reports, and industry sources reviewed by Nexchem. This is directional intelligence, not a regulated benchmark assessment.

NXP-SC-020 Specialty Chemicals Asia CFR China / NE Asia Updated June 2026

Adipic Acid - Asia
Price Intelligence Report

CFR China and NE Asia adipic acid polymer grade pricing. Chinese domestic capacity analysis, cyclohexane and nitric acid feedstock cost, Huafon and China Shenma capacity tracker, nylon 6,6 export demand from Asia, and 3-scenario price outlook. Published monthly.

Asian adipic acid is down 3.5% year on year in June 2026 as Chinese domestic capacity additions continue outpacing nylon 6,6 demand growth - the same structural oversupply dynamic visible in polypropylene, lithium carbonate, and PVDF is now visible in adipic acid, where Huafon and China Shenma have expanded capacity faster than the Asian nylon 6,6 textile and automotive market can absorb.

Asia - Polymer Grade CFR China
USD 1,340/MT
CFR China · Polymer Grade · June 2026
▼ -USD 48 (-3.5% vs June 2025)
MT / (Mar 2026)12-Month RangeUSD 1,480/ (Aug 2025)
12-Month High
USD 1,480/
Aug 2025
12-Month Low
MT /
Mar 2026
Annual Subscription
USD 4,900
USD 408/mo equiv · 17% saving
Used by
🏢Corporate strategy and procurement teams
💼Private equity and venture capital investors
🔬Chemical and materials R&D teams
📊Management and strategy consultants
🏦Investment banking and M&A advisory
Report Contents - 9 Sections~14 pages · PDF + Excel
01
Market Metrics
Current spot price, 12-month high and low, year on year change, and the key spread indicator - feedstock or conversion margin - that drives near-term pricing direction
02
Price by Grade
Full grade-level price table covering all commercial grades with Q2 2026 versus Q2 2025 comparison, direction indicator, and basis notation
Full data in paid report
03
Supply and Demand
Regional supply and demand balance for 2024 actual, 2025 estimated, and 2026 to 2027 forecast - production volumes, import dependency by origin, operating rates, and key capacity events
Full data in paid report
04
Capacity Atlas
Site-level producer table covering company, facility location, nameplate capacity in KT per year, production technology, current operating status, and analyst notes on reliability and qualification risk
Full data in paid report
05
Trade Flows
Import and export volume data by origin and destination with Hormuz disruption risk rating, vessel transit times, and freight cost comparison across supply routes
Full data in paid report
06
Margin Analysis
Feedstock cost and gross margin decomposition by production route - NWE naphtha versus Middle East ethane versus USGC ethane versus Chinese coal - with sensitivity table
Full data in paid report
07
Price Drivers
3 to 4 named drivers ranked by near-term price impact with quantified supply or cost effect per driver, driver-specific timeline, and risk rating
Full data in paid report
08
Forward Scenarios
Bull, Base, and Bear price ranges for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, and Q1 2027 with probability weighting, key assumptions, scenario trigger events, and a procurement recommendation for each case
Full data in paid report
09
Analyst Perspectives
Nexchem Intelligence analyst field intelligence on supply shortages, alternative source qualification timelines, geopolitical friction, and pricing pressure specific to this market
Full data in paid report
Active Supply and Market Alerts2 Active Alerts
HIGH
Chinese Adipic Acid Overcapacity - Structural Price Pressure - Chinese adipic acid nameplate capacity has grown from approximately 1.8 million MT per year in 2020 to an estimated 2.8 million MT per year in 2026, against Asian demand of approximately 2.1 million MT per year. The structural surplus of approximately 700,000 MT per year is the primary downward price pressure and is unlikely to be absorbed by demand growth before 2028.
INFO
Nylon 6,6 Automotive Demand Asia - Partial Demand Support - Asian automotive nylon 6,6 demand for engineering plastics in under-bonnet components and structural parts is growing at approximately 5.4% per year, driven by EV adoption increasing the weight of thermal management components and requiring heat-resistant engineering polymers. This automotive demand growth is the most positive near-term demand signal in the Asian adipic acid market but is insufficient to absorb the structural capacity surplus.
Price by Grade - Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025Preview · 2 of 6 grades shown
Grade / ProductRegion / BasisQ2 2026Q2 2025Direction
Adipic Acid Polymer Grade CFR ChinaCFR ChinaUSD 1,340/MTUSD 1,388/MT↓ Falling
Adipic Acid China DomesticChina domestic CNY/MTCNY 9,680/MTCNY 10,040/MT↓ Falling
Adipic Acid CFR NE AsiaCFR NE AsiaUSD 1,360/MTUSD 1,408/MTFalling
Cyclohexane Feedstock ChinaChina domesticCNY 7,400/MTCNY 6,820/MTRising
Nitric Acid Feedstock ChinaChina domesticCNY 1,240/MTCNY 1,140/MTRising
Nylon 6,6 Polymer China ref.China domesticCNY 24,400/MTCNY 25,200/MTFalling
Full grade price table in paid report  ·  Subscribe from USD 4,900/yr
Supply and Demand - Market ContextPreview · Full data in paid report

Asian adipic acid supply is dominated by Chinese domestic producers, with Huafon Group at Chongqing and China Shenma at Pingdingshan collectively accounting for approximately 45% of Chinese nameplate capacity. INVISTA has limited Asian production, supplying primarily from its US facilities. The cyclohexane oxidation production route used by all major producers requires cyclohexane feedstock - itself produced from benzene hydrogenation - and nitric acid as the oxidant, making Asian adipic acid production cost sensitive to both benzene and ammonia pricing through their derivative chains. Chinese domestic adipic acid production cost is estimated at approximately USD 1,100 to USD 1,200 per metric tonne at current feedstock prices, providing a floor below which sustained pricing is unlikely. Demand for Adipic Acid in Asia is structured across multiple end-use segments with differentiated price sensitivity, from commodity polymer and rubber applications to specialty chemical intermediates where performance requirements limit substitution and create defensible pricing above commodity benchmarks. Structural Price Pressure - Chinese adipic acid nameplate capacity has grown from approximately 1.8 million MT per year in 2020 to an estimated 2.8 million MT per year in 2026, against Asian demand of approximately 2.1 million MT per year.

The structural surplus of approximatel. In the current 2026 supply and demand environment, Adipic Acid pricing in Asia reflects both structural market conditions and active geopolitical supply chain disruption. The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For Asian adipic acid, the Hormuz disruption has a limited direct impact - Chinese domestic adipic acid production uses Chinese domestic benzene and cyclohexane supply chains that do not route through the Strait of Hormuz. The indirect impact is through cyclohexane feedstock cost - elevated benzene pricing in Asia from Hormuz-related import disruption increases cyclohexane production cost, which adds approximately USD 28 to USD 36 per metric tonne to Asian adipic acid production cost. This feedstock cost elevation is partially offsetting the structural oversupply price pressure, preventing the year on year decline from being more severe than the USD 48 per metric tonne actual decline visible in June 2026. Partial Demand Support - Asian automotive nylon 6,6 demand for engineering plastics in under-bonnet components and structural parts is growing at approximately 5.4% per year, driven by EV adoption increasing the weight.

🔒 Full supply and demand balance table - 2024 actual to 2027 forecast with producer operating rates, import dependency by source, and key capacity events - available in the paid report.
YoY Price Change
-3.5%
vs June 2025 · June 2026 basis
12-Month Range
MT / - USD 1,480/
Mar 2026 low · Aug 2025 high
Report Subscription
USD 4,900/yr
Monthly PDF + Excel · 9 sections
Field Context - Asia
The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For Asian adipic acid, the Hormuz disruption has a limited direct impact - Chinese domestic adipic acid production uses Chinese domestic benzene and cyclohexane supply chains...
Report Format PreviewPDF · ~14 pages · Navy structured layout

The paid report is a professionally formatted PDF with structured sections, colour-coded grade price tables, alert boxes, capacity atlas tables, a 3-scenario price outlook, and analyst cards. The accompanying Excel file contains all price data in editable format for direct integration into procurement models.

🔒
Sample page visible after subscription

Full report preview available after subscription. Illustrative mock shown above.

Analyst PerspectivesNexchem Intelligence Analysts

Every Nexchem Intelligence price report includes field-level analyst commentary covering supply shortages, qualification timelines, geopolitical friction, and pricing pressure - not generic market narrative. Nexchem analysts are active in the market and attribute all field intelligence to verifiable primary sources.

NX
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst
Head of Petrochemicals & Specialty Chemicals
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst · Field intelligence · Procurement contacts
"Asian adipic acid is another data point in the pattern of Chinese overcapacity repricing commodity chemicals - Huafon and China Shenma built capacity on optimistic nylon 6,6 demand projections that assumed continued double-digit growth in Chinese textile and automotive markets, and both have slowed more than projected. The result is a structural oversupply that will take 2 to 3 years of demand growth to absorb even without additional capacity."
Nexchem Procurement View
Extended perspective and procurement recommendation locked - available in paid report
Extended analyst perspective in paid report
NX
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst
Head of Advanced Materials & Green Chemicals
Nexchem Intelligence Analyst · Field intelligence · Procurement contacts
"The EV thermal management nylon 6,6 demand signal is the most interesting structural demand development in Asian adipic acid - heat shields, coolant pipes, and thermal insulation components in EV powertrains increasingly specify PA6,6 rather than PA6 for their higher temperature resistance, and as EV production scales in China and SE Asia this application will become a meaningful demand driver that was negligible in any pre-2022 adipic acid demand model."
Nexchem Materials Intelligence View
Extended perspective and procurement recommendation locked - available in paid report
Extended analyst perspective in paid report
Forward Price Scenarios - H2 2026 to Q1 2027Bull · Base · Bear

The paid report includes full scenario assumptions, quarterly price ranges for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, and Q1 2027, probability weighting for each scenario, and a procurement recommendation tailored to each case - covering what to do if the bull case materialises, what to hedge in the base case, and how to protect exposure in the bear case.

Bull Case
USD 1,428 - 1,508
Q3 2026 · 25% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
Base Case
USD 1,280 - 1,360
Q3 2026 · 50% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
Bear Case
USD 1,080 - 1,160
Q3 2026 · 25% probability
Full scenarios in paid report
2026 Geopolitical Supply Chain ContextHormuz · US-Iran · Iranian Methanol

The IMF confirmed in March 2026 that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG supply. For Asian adipic acid, the Hormuz disruption has a limited direct impact - Chinese domestic adipic acid production uses Chinese domestic benzene and cyclohexane supply chains that do not route through the Strait of Hormuz. The indirect impact is through cyclohexane feedstock cost - elevated benzene pricing in Asia from Hormuz-related import disruption increases cyclohexane production cost, which adds approximately USD 28 to USD 36 per metric tonne to Asian adipic acid production cost. This feedstock cost elevation is partially offsetting the structural oversupply price pressure, preventing the year on year decline from being more severe than the USD 48 per metric tonne actual decline visible in June 2026.

Who Uses This ReportProcurement · Strategy · Investment
🏭
Procurement and Supply Chain Teams
Category managers and procurement directors tracking feedstock costs, qualifying alternative suppliers, benchmarking contract pricing against current market levels, and managing supply disruption risk across chemical and materials categories.
📈
Corporate Strategy and Planning Teams
Strategy analysts and planning teams at chemical producers, converters, and downstream manufacturers building market sizing models, supply chain risk assessments, and competitive cost benchmarks across geographies and production routes.
💼
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Investment teams evaluating chemical sector acquisitions, monitoring portfolio company commodity exposure, conducting raw material due diligence for manufacturing investments, and assessing supply chain risk in chemical-intensive sectors.
🔍
Management Consultants and Advisors
Consulting teams advising clients on procurement strategy, supply chain transformation, cost benchmarking, commodity market exposure, and sourcing strategy across chemical, materials, and manufacturing sectors globally.
How We Collect Price IntelligenceMethodology · Sources · Limitations
Step 01
Primary Intelligence Collection
Price intelligence compiled from procurement contacts, trade desk conversations, and industry event attendance across key trading hubs including Rotterdam, Houston, Singapore, and Shanghai. Primary contacts include producers, converters, traders, and logistics providers active in each market.
Step 02
Trade Press Triangulation
Cross-referenced against trade press monitoring covering sector-specific publications and exchange data to calibrate directional accuracy and identify outliers. Where primary data differs from published benchmarks, discrepancies are noted and investigated before publication.
Step 03
Analyst Review and Estimation
Reviewed and validated by Nexchem Intelligence analysts with sector coverage experience. Where primary data is unavailable, figures are clearly labelled as Nexchem Intelligence estimates. Not a price assessment. Not for contract settlement or derivative pricing.

Important: Nexchem Intelligence price reports are indicative price intelligence, not price assessments. We are not a Price Reporting Agency and our prices are not IOSCO-compliant. For contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, or derivative pricing, use ICIS, Argus, or S&P Global Platts. Our reports are for procurement strategy, supply chain planning, and market analysis only.

Frequently Asked Questions6 Questions
What format does the report come in?
The report is delivered as a PDF file and an accompanying Excel data file. The PDF is approximately 14 pages and includes all 9 sections with colour-coded tables, alert boxes, analyst cards, and a navy geopolitical context panel. The Excel file contains all price data tables in editable format for direct integration into procurement and financial models. Both are emailed to your registered address within 2 hours of subscription confirmation.
How often is this report updated?
Price intelligence reports are updated monthly. Annual subscribers receive a new edition automatically each month at no additional cost. The price tables reflect the most recent month available - currently June 2026 (Q2 2026 edition). Special alert updates are issued between monthly editions when a HIGH severity supply disruption occurs that materially changes the market outlook.
Is this an official price assessment like ICIS or Argus?
No. Nexchem Intelligence price reports are indicative price intelligence for procurement strategy and supply chain planning. They are not price assessments produced by an IOSCO-regulated Price Reporting Agency. They should not be used for contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, financial reporting, or derivative pricing. For those applications, ICIS or Argus are the appropriate sources. Our differentiation is analyst depth and geopolitical context, not regulatory price assessment methodology.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Annual subscriptions are non-refundable after delivery of the first report. Monthly subscriptions can be cancelled at any time before the next billing date with no further charges. Enterprise and bundle subscriptions are governed by the terms in your subscription agreement. Contact [email protected] for any subscription queries.
Can I share the report within my organisation?
Single SKU subscriptions include 1 user seat. Analyst bundle subscriptions (5 SKUs) include 3 user seats. Procurement bundle (15 SKUs) includes 5 seats. Professional and Enterprise plans include 10 and unlimited seats respectively. Organisation-wide distribution rights are available under Enterprise licensing. Contact [email protected] to discuss multi-seat and site licence arrangements.
What sources do you use for price data?
Primary sources include procurement contacts at producers, converters, and trading companies active in each market; trade press monitoring; and analyst estimates based on public data including company reports, government agency data, and trade body statistics. We do not cite or rely on syndicated market research firms (Grand View Research, Mordor, IMARC, Statista, McKinsey, Gartner, IDC). We do not use AI-generated market data. All source data is primary and independently verified where possible.
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Adipic Acid - Asia
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Report Details
SKU IDNXP-SC-020
PublishedQ2 2026 · June
FormatPDF + Excel
Pages~14 pages
Update cycleMonthly
DeliveryWithin 2 hours
LanguageEnglish
Included in every plan
Monthly price brief - PDF + Excel
Grade-level price breakdown - all commercial grades
Supply and demand commentary with operating rates
Capacity atlas - site-level producer detail
Trade flow intelligence with Hormuz risk rating
Feedstock and production margin analysis
3-scenario forward price outlook to Q1 2027
Analyst perspectives - Kellner and Venkat
Procurement recommendation per scenario
Weekly disruption alerts (Procurement plan+)
API data delivery (Professional plan+)
Dedicated analyst access (Enterprise only)
Methodology disclaimer: Nexchem Intelligence price reports contain indicative price intelligence compiled from primary procurement contacts, trade press monitoring, and analyst estimates. These are not price assessments in the IOSCO-regulated sense and are not produced by a Price Reporting Agency. Do not use for contract settlement, mark-to-market valuation, financial reporting, or derivative pricing. All figures are estimates. Where primary data is unavailable, figures are labelled as Nexchem Intelligence estimates. Nexchem Intelligence accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of this report.
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