VCM, PROPYLENE AND STYRENE ANALYSIS (3JUNE2019)

Petrotahlil :

VCM: Stable to Down in Asia | Stable in Europe | Up in US

• Spot VCM on CFR FEA basis down $10 on week 

• Yet, Asian VCM outlook firm on PVC plant startups 

• European VCM market remains stable 

• US VCM market rises $10 on week 

• Firming in US attributed to higher June PVC prices

• Spot prices: CFR Far East Asia $690 | CFR Southeast Asia $720 | FOB NWE $700 | FOB USG $600-610

Propylene: Up in Asia | Up in Europe | Down in US

• Asian C3 market up further by $10-15 on week 

• Spot C3 posts additional weekly gains of €5-10 in Europe 

• Tightness in Asia and Europe pushes spot prices higher 

• June C3 contracts settled with rollovers in Europe 

• May C3 contracts settled higher in US as expected 

• Spot C3 prices in US down for 2nd week amid thin trading

• Spot prices: CFR China $905 | FOB South Korea $900 | FD NWE €1000 | FD USG $796-807

Styrene: Up in Asia | Stable in Europe | Down in US

• Styrene slightly up in Asia on lower inventories 

• Falling oil prices put pressure on styrene 

• European styrene market mostly stable on week 

• June benzene contract settles down €78 in Europe 

• Spot styrene erases earlier gains in US

• Spot prices: CFR China $1080 | FOB South Korea $1040 | Ex-tank Zhangjiagang $1108-1110 | FOB NWE $960 | FOB USG $926-937

END