Ethylene prices remained flat in China market

(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

(financial-magazine) -- An explosion occurred Friday afternoon at the refinery owned by OMV Petrom Petrobrazi six people including Austrian citizens were injured.

Six were surprised when more channels cleaned. They have suffered first and second degree burns to the face and hands and their condition is stable, being transported to hospital in Ploiesti. Victims Austrian citizens working in the company.

According to the head Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Prahova, Nicolae Popescu, explosion occurred while workers were doing maintenance work on sewage and blast followed by fire was not , so that not Firemen intervention was required.

He said the ISU did not intervene because it was not the case, and the company management has ensured that there is no risk of new explosions and that work was not interrupted. Also, workers have been evacuated.

Petrobrazi Refinery is the only facility of its kind to Petrom that is functional, after closing Arpechim in Pitesti.

MRC