The Week in Chemistry: US PE, PP spot prices up US$0.01/lb for week April 15; Asia toluene hits US$1,065/tonne FOB Korea on April 18, PX at US$1,213.33/tonne, naphtha hits US$983.75/tonne C+F Japan

Sample article from our Chemicals Industry

LOS ANGELES , April 22, 2022 () –


US Resins

Solid demand against limited resin supply and rising production costs brought PE and PP prices up by about US$0.01/lb during the week ended April 15.

As PE demand hits tight availability, producers are seeking April contract price increases of $0.06/lb to $0.07/lb. 

HDPE blow molding saw solid trading domestically, along with exports to Europe and Mexico. LLDPE and LDPE film grades saw average-to-steady sales, while all PE injection grades were difficult to source.

A busy PP market also met tight supply owing to yet another force majeure, along with rail transit issues.

Three producers have announced aims to hike contract prices by $0.06/lb in May.

The primary source of this information is Plastics Today.


Taiwan Aromatics

Taiwan-based CPC Corp. declares force majeure on isomer mixed xylenes and toluene cargoes for April. 

The company earlier announced it would shut two aromatics units due to a positive coronavirus case.

The No. 3 aromatics unit has capacity for 25,000 tonnes/year of benzene, 136,000 tonnes/year of toluene and 150,000 tonnes/year of mixed xylenes, according to industry sources.

The No. 7 unit has capacity of 208,000 tonnes/year of benzene and 104,000 tonnes/year of toluene.

Toluene was assessed at US$1,065/tonne FOB Korea as of April 18, up $20 over April 17. Meanwhile, PX prices were up $12.83 day-on-day at $1,213.33/tonne.

The primary source of this information is S&P Global Platts.

 

Asia Naphtha

Naphtha prices were assessed at US$983.75/tonne C+F Japan on April 18, following higher crude prices.

Buying activity for Asian naphtha for H1 delivery was expected active in the week started April 18. Market sources say improved demand is owing to healthier margins for naphtha-based ethylene producers.

Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war is still creating a volatile market, leaving sentiment relatively unchanged.

The primary source of this information is S&P Global Platts.

 

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Chelsey Quick
Chelsey Quick
- VP Client Success -

We offer built-to-order chemicals industry coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.