(ICIS) -- Prices of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in Asia may continue falling in the coming weeks, taking the cue from plunging prices in Europe, as demand in China for the octane booster declines, traders said on Friday. MTBE prices on a free on board (FOB) Singapore basis are expected to slip below USD 1.100/tonne (EUR 770/tonne) this week, traders said.
In the week ended 13 May, Asian MTBE prices were assessed at USD 1.140-1.160/tonne FOB Singapore, down about 5% week on week, according to ICIS.
In Europe, MTBE prices were quoted at USD 1.106-1.110/tonne FOB AR (Amsterdam-Rotterdam) on 19 May, compared with the ICIS-assessed price of USD 1.150-1.162/tonne FOB AR on 13 May.
European MTBE demand has waned because the reintroduction of 5% bioethanol blend (E5) gasoline had led to lower production of 98-octane gasoline in Germany.