MOSOCW (MRC) -- There were active negotiations over prices of European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for July shipments to the CIS markets this week. Despite a major reduction in ethylene prices, European producers reduced export PVC prices more modestly, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.
The July contract price of ethylene was agreed down by EUR75/tonne from June, which theoretically should lead to a decrease of EUR37/tonne in PVC production costs. Nevertheless, despite the significant decrease in prices of the main feedstock - ethylene, some European producers limited the reduction in export prices of PVC to be shipped to the CIS countries by the amount of EUR10-25/tonne, and in some cases, June prices even rolled over.
Negotiators said some producers still had had export restrictions for several months because of scheduled shutdowns for maintenance. And this factor became the main cause of a slight drop in export prices.
Demand for PVC increased from the main consumers in the CIS countries in June-July under the pressure of seasonal factors.
Deals for July shipments of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to the CIS markets were done in the range of EUR710-785/tonne FCA, whereas last month's deals were done in the range of EUR720-810/tonne FCA.
MRC