June 28, 2026, Binzhou, Shandong — China’s maleic anhydride (MA) industry is experiencing a powerful recovery. According to the latest customs data, China’s cumulative MA exports reached 120,000 tons in the first four months of 2026, surging 180% year-on-year. April alone saw a single-month record of 34,300 tons shipped overseas. Against a backdrop of approximately 30% of global production capacity permanently retiring due to Europe’s energy crisis — leaving an annual supply deficit of roughly 150,000 tons — Binzhou Dayou New Energy Development Co., Ltd. has restarted its 60,000-ton-per-year MA plant while simultaneously advancing a solvent technology upgrade, positioning itself to capitalize on this market window.
Plant Restart: Filling the Global Supply Gap
According to industry monitoring, Dayou New Energy’s 60,000 t/y n-butane-based MA plant is scheduled to resume production in late June, with a daily output of approximately 180 tons. The facility had undergone maintenance shutdown in late May, a period when overall industry operating rates were already depressed and spot market supply was tight. The restart will help alleviate supply pressure and better serve export orders and downstream customer demand.
The current domestic MA market price is running at approximately RMB 7,912/ton. With the n-butane process fully-loaded cost estimated at around RMB 6,300/ton, leading producers are earning a healthy margin of about RMB 1,600 per ton. Industry inventory stands at just 32,000 tons, a five-year low, suggesting tight supply-demand fundamentals are likely to persist.
Technology Upgrade: Transitioning from DIBE to DBP Solvent Process
Alongside the plant restart, Dayou New Energy is advancing a solvent technology upgrade for its MA unit under the 100,000 t/y C4 comprehensive utilization project. According to public filings, the company plans to upgrade its existing DIBE solvent absorption process to a DBP solvent absorption process, aiming to reduce production costs and improve product quality.
The upgrade project, which initiated its social stability risk assessment in April 2026, represents Dayou New Energy’s ongoing investment in and commitment to its MA production chain, further strengthening the company’s cost competitiveness through the industry cycle.
Export Markets: Strong Demand from India, Turkey, and the Middle East
Industry data shows that China’s top three MA export destinations are India (27.3% share), Turkey (18.2%), and the UAE (6.6%), with robust demand across the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Export prices currently enjoy a premium of approximately RMB 500–800/ton over domestic sales, incentivizing producers to prioritize overseas shipments. Export volumes are expected to remain elevated throughout the year.
As one of Shandong’s leading MA producers, Dayou New Energy has specialized in maleic anhydride for 18 years, holding 40 proprietary technologies and certifications including ISO, SGS, and FAMI-QS. The company exports to over 30 countries. With its existing 60,000 t/y MA production license, the plant restart and ongoing technology upgrade will further enhance its output and delivery capabilities.
Outlook: Industry Enters a Recovery Cycle
Industry analysts note that in 2025, over 1.5 million tons of new MA capacity was planned, yet less than 30% actually came online, with most small and mid-sized projects delayed to 2027 or beyond due to financing, environmental approvals, and energy consumption constraints. With limited new supply additions and an ongoing global supply deficit, producers equipped with n-butane-based capacity and established export channels stand to benefit. Barring large-scale new capacity entering the market in the second half of the year, the industry is poised to sustain its recovery trajectory.
Contact:
- Tel: +86 159 6999 0099
- Email: xuefei@dayounewenergy.com
- Website: https://dayounewenergy.com/