Asian and South American imports into Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region have reduced European spot benzene prices to €1,400-€1,420/tonne, lower than May contract settlement of €1,449/tonne free on board northwest Europe set on April 30

Elyse Blye

LONDON , June 3, 2014 (ICIS Chemical Business (CBNB Abstracts)) – Asian and South American imports arriving into the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region have reduced European spot benzene prices to $1400-1420/tonne, lower than the May contract settlement of $1449/tonne FOB (free on board) NWE (northwest Europe) set on 30 Apr. Quantities of 10,000 tonnes from southeast Asia and 10,000-12,000 tonnes from India have been committed to the region, which along with the softening of US contract prices (to $4.57/gal FOB) are expected to impact price levels in Europe. Stiff competition from Asia and the US has placed a burden on local suppliers, as high prices in the region hinder any chance for sustained recovery.

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