Fundamentals in the Asian acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) markets were mixed Aug. 6, with planned maintenance at several Chinese VAM plants lending support to VAM prices, while acetic acid export values remained steady amid limited spot availability despite softer domestic prices in China. In the Chinese acetic acid market, spot cargoes in Jiangsu were heard discussed at Yuan 2,880-2,900/metric ton ex-tank Aug. 6, down slightly from Yuan 2,900-2,950/mt a week earlier. Market participants said several AA producers had recently restarted following planned turnarounds, lifting operating rates to around 78%. Weak downstream demand from the purified terephthalic acid (PTA) sector, coupled with improving production rates, pressured domestic acetic acid prices. However, export availability remained constrained, with most August-loading cargoes already committed, limiting downward pressure on FOB values. FOB...