Polypropylene (PP) prices rose last week in Europe, according to Polymerupdate, with gains in contract and spot markets. The increase was fueled by higher crude, naphtha, and propylene, in addition to tight regional avails of prompt cargoes and robust demand from Asia. Homopolymer injection-grade contract prices rose to €840/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with copolymer at €880/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, homopolymer prices were assessed at €750/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with copolymer prices at €800/tonne FD Northwest Europe.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) film spot prices gained due to production issues at LyondellBasell’s Plock, Poland facility, hitting €860/tonne FD Northwest Europe. European HDPE exports remained active, and contract prices were assessed at €870/tonne FD Germany, with high-density injection molding contracts at €910/tonne FD Germany.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) contract prices also rose, with FD Germany prices at €920/tonne and FD Italy registering €915/tonne. In the spot market, LDPE climbed on stronger crude and naphtha rates, firmer ethylene, and tight regional spot availability, pushing prices to €830/tonne FD Northwest Europe. An LDPE buyer told Polymerupdate that export shipments to Asia are impacting local availability at a time when demand for LDPE is robust across Europe as buyers look to make purchases before further price increases are pushed through in July.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) contracts rose last week, with FD Germany at €900/tonne, while spot values climbed to €830/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Availability constraints and bullish trends upstream have supported firmer LLDPE, with a trader telling Polymerupdate that active buying from China and other parts of Asia is further constricting an already tight market.
Polystyrene (PS) prices firmed, with general-purpose contract prices hitting €1035/tonne FD Northwest Europe and high-impact contracts at €1080/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, PS prices rose sharply, with general purpose at €900/tonne FD Northwest Europe and high impact at €945/tonne FD Northwest Europe. A PS trader told Polymerupdate that producers say they’ve settled June contracts at rates that are €50-€60/tonne above May, with others saying they’ve closed contracts at levels that are €90/tonne higher.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) prices rose, with general-purpose and natural-grade ABS contracts rising to €1230/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, ABS prices rose to €1095/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Despite the gains, ABS producers are complaining about squeezed margins and promising price hikes of €100/tonne for June. European ABS buyers have accepted increases ranging from €40-€60/tonne but refused anything higher.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspension grades were steady at €730/tonne FD Germany and €725/tonne FD Italy, with spot prices holding at €580/tonne FD Northwest Europe. PVC producers remain determined to pass on increased ethylene feedstock costs, hoping tight availability will support their efforts. In related plant news, Portuguese PVC maker Cires said its VCM and PVC stock was being impacted by issues with VCM contract supplier Ineos. —[email protected]
