Polypropylene (PP) prices in Europe held steady last week, with homopolymer injection-grade contracts at €800/tonne FD Northwest Europe, according to Polymerupdate. In the copolymer market, contract prices were assessed at €840/tonne FD Northwest Europe. PP buyer interest after the Easter holidays failed to show any convincing signs of lifting. In the spot market, PP prices also finished flat, with homopolymer grades assessed at €720/tonne FD Northwest Europe and copolymer prices at €770/tonne FD Northwest Europe. European PP buyers told Polymerupdate that regional sellers were unable to push offers higher due to softening buying interest in Asia.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) contract prices in Europe rose last week to €920/tonne FD Northwest Europe. The increase came despite reports of subdued regional buying interest. LDPE spot prices declined as buying interest dulled and regional offers from traders remained “ample,” according to Polymerupdate. Last Friday, FD Northwest European spot prices of general-purpose LDPE were assessed at €800/tonne, down from €825/tonne FD.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) contract prices were unchanged at €900/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, prices climbed as post-Easter demand for the material improved. LLDPE spot prices climbed to €785 to €795/tonne FD Northwest Europe last Friday.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices in Europe were also flat last week, with Northwest Europe suspension-grade PVC contract prices assessed at €715/tonne FD. Sellers seeking increases cited tight regional availability and gains in upstream EDC and VCM rates.
Polystyrene (PS) contract prices rose in Europe last week, with general-purpose contracts assessed at €935/tonne FD Northwest Europe and HIPS registering €980/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Producers like BASF and Total announced hikes of €100/tonne. In the spot market, general-purpose PS prices rose to €755/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with high-impact prices climbing to €800/tonne FD Northwest Europe.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) contract and spot prices gained last week in spite of weaker styrene monomer (SM) prices. General-purpose and natural-grade ABS contract prices rose to €1190/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with spot prices hitting €1240 to €1250/tonne FD Northwest Europe. —[email protected]
