Propylene prices surged in Asian markets

(yarnsandfibers) -- Propylene prices surged in Asian markets amid mixed sentiment and tight supply. Downstream acrylonitrile market remained firm supporting propylene market. US spot propylene assessments were at roughly nine-month high to close the shortened week while in Europe, demand for spot propylene supply in Northwest Europe was scarce as many industry players were away on Easter break.

Acrylonitrile prices remained flat across all regions as participants stayed on the sidelines amid uncertainty over the market's direction. During the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, spot trade was mute in China and liquidity at producers was slow on limited demand. In US, spot acrylonitrile assessments remained unchanged for a second week as traders awaited direction from feedstock April propylene contracts. European spot prices were steady as many industry players were either sidelined ahead of the long Easter break.

Acrylic fiber markets saw thin trades on weak demand from the downstream. However, offers and spot discussions remained flat amid balanced fundamentals.
mrcplastc.com

(yarnsandfibers) -- Ethylene prices remained flat amid thin spot trading activity as major markets were closed for a major part of the week. China was on holiday Monday to Wednesday, while Taiwan was closed Wednesday. The US spot was mostly steady while European contract steam cracker margins for April turned positive following the increase in the ethylene April contract price. Paraxylene was cheaper in Asia and US on thin trading amid tight supply.

Mono ethylene glycol prices sank in Asian markets, hit by weak polyester market and high inventories. Trading was weak after the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday in China, but MEG market tends to hold stable at low prices. Purified terephthalic acid markets were dull and prices declined on thin trading amid hard to improve downstream polyester markets. In Europe, the market for PTA in NW Europe appeared set to move from balanced to long in the coming months as Artlant PTA announced it had begun delivering PTA from its in Sines, Portugal.

Polyester chip markets in Asia remained under flat correction as feedstock, PTA and MEG prices showed sluggish trend, but were seen picking up later in the truncated week. The markets were more active supported by post-holiday small-volume restocking activities.
MRC

(chemmonitor) -- Europe spot prices for polystyrene (PS) remained relatively stable through the previous month due to the absence of evident changes in the demand level.

Values of high impact material showed certain improvement in the first half of the month. They grew by USD 15 per tonne by March 15 from February 29.

MRC

(chemmonitor) -- China-based polyethylene (PE) traders experience hard times on the back of the weak demand from domestic users. The consumption is traditionally poor at some point in April-May. However, the country's demand is currently well below the usual level.

The sellers started to search for buyers in other parts of the Asian region. Potential purchasers were found in the Southeast where the availability of PE (linear low density one) is not sufficient.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - In March, the imports of linear polyethylene to the Russian market exceeded 14,000 tonnes. In general, over the first three months the total import of LLDPE to Russia made about 35,000 tonnes, up 21% year on year, according to MRC analysts.

In March, the imports of linear polyethylene to the Russian market exceeded 14,000 tonnes. About 90% of the total supply fell on the film grades. As the production of butane LLDPE was suspended, Russian companies actively contract the Middle Eastern material for the production of cast and blow moulding films.

In general, over the three months, the total import of linear polyethylene to Russia made to about 35,000 tonnes, up 21% year on year. The demand for film material increased more than by quarter. Cold weather in February and March resulted in 9% reduction of LLDPE import for the production of the products made by rotor forming.

Since last November Russian producers have not produced linear polyethylene. In recent years, only Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced LLDPE in Russia. In 2011, the total output of linear polyethylene of this enterprise made about 54,500 tonnes. After a long period of suspension Nizhnekamskneftekhim plans to resume the production of butene LLDPE in May.

MRC