(ICIS) -- US butyl acetate (butac) sources expect prices to drop in October by 8-10% because of falling propylene spot prices, sources said on Tuesday. OXEA is seeking a 3 cent/lb (USD 66/tonne, EUR 49/tonne) increase for 1 October, which buyers said has no chance for acceptance.
Germany-based OXEA, and Dow Chemical and Eastman of the US, tried to raise prices by 3 cents/lb in September, but the market rejected the proposals because of declining raw material costs.
Another buyer attributed the expected drop in October to the ongoing decline in feedstock US propylene. Butac distributor prices, the main consumer range, have hovered at 96-100 cents/lb since early August.
Spot chemical-grade propylene has slipped roughly 10% in price since early August, currently at 70.50-71.00 cents/lb, according to ICIS.