There were some gains in Asian prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), according to global resin-pricing consultancy, Polymerupdate (www.polymerupdate.com). PVC prices are up to $595/tonne CFR China with offers in many parts of Asia rising above $600/tonne to $620/tonne CFR. HDPE film prices in the Far East are at $800/tonne CFR, with LDPE prices up to $850/tonne CFR Far East, while LLDPE prices have been assessed up at $800/tonne CFR.

Polypropylene (PP) injection and raffia prices rose to $765/tonne CFR Far East Asia, lifted by gains in propylene feedstock and reports of renewed demand in Asia’s key region of China. PP film prices were assessed at $680/tonne CFR Far East Asia, with biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) up to $660/tonne CFR, with copolymer PP prices assessed at $675/tonne CFR Far East Asia.

Polystyrene (PS) prices declined sharply in Asia, responding to a drop in styrene monomer (SM) feedstock. General-purpose PS prices dropped sharply down to $750/tonne CFR China. High-impact PS prices were reported at $920/tonne.

In European news, HDPE prices fell on weak demand ample regional availability, with injection, blowmolding, and film grades reported at euro 935, euro 930, and euro 930/tonne FD, respectively. Contract prices were also lower, with injection molding assessed at euro 1180/tonne FD North West Europe. High-density blowmolding and film-grade contract prices were assessed at euro 1140 and euro 1100/tonne FD, respectively.

Spot LLDPE prices fell to euro 920/tonne FD North West Europe, with contract prices also adjusted downward, placing butene-grade at euro 1100/tonne FD North West Europe.

General-purpose LDPE prices also tumbled, with both contract and spot falling on weak regional demand, ample availability of product, and falling prices of upstream ethylene.

Contract LDPE prices were reported at euro 1080/tonne FD North West Europe and euro 920/tonne FD north West Europe in the spot market.

PP contract rates for injection grades dropped to euro 1100/tonne FD North West Europe, with PP copolymer contract prices declining to euro 1145/tonne FD North West Europe. Spot PP injection prices fell to euro 800/tonne FD, while spot copolymer prices dropped to euro 850/tonne FD North West Europe.

Contract PVC prices were flat at euro 1045/tonne FD North West Europe, while in the spot markets, PVC prices fell to euro 700/tonne FD North West Europe. In PS, general-purpose contract prices dropped to euro 1230/tonne FD North West Europe, down from euro 1290/tonne FD a week earlier. High-impact contract prices also fell to euro 1295/tonne FD North West Europe, down from euro 1350/tonne FD a week earlier. In the spot markets, general-purpose prices fell to euro 1080/tonne FD North West Europe, with high-impact dropping to euro 1140/tonne FD North West Europe.

Acryonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) contract and spot prices also ended lower. General purpose and natural grade ABS contract prices were seen at 1850/tonne FD North West Europe, with spot prices down sharply to euro 1245 to euro 1250/tonne FD North West Europe.