Polymerupdate global plastics pricing briefs 9511

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) prices in parts of Asia were lower by about $10/tonne, according to Polymerupdate. In low-density polyethylene (LDPE), prices were also lower, with the site reporting that Taiwan’s USI Corp. has reduced its April LDPE prices by more than $30/tonne. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) prices were down as well, with sellers outnumbering buyers in a very competitive market. Official offers for HDPE film from South Korean sellers to China were at the $1630/tonne CFR, and some deals were consummated as low or lower than $1600/tonne CFR China. In polyethylene terephthalate (PET), strong demand has pushed FOB North East Asia prices to $1425/tonne, with producers angling to take these higher to around $1450/tonne FOB. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) prices in Asia were steady, with CFR China for April at $1810/tonne.

In facilities news, Polymerupdate is reporting that routine maintenance is being carried out at the ethylene plant of Sanyo Petrochemical Co. in Mizushima, Japan. The plant, with production capacity of 500,000 tonnes/yr, has been offline since the second week of March, with manufacturing expected to restart around April 11 or 12.

Production start up for Arya Sasol’s LDPE plant has been scheduled for April 15, with an initial capacity of 300,000 tonnes/yr. Located in the Pars Special Energy Economic Zone (PSEEZ) in Assalouyeh, Iran, the operation is split 50:50 between the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) of Iran and South Africa’s Sasol. Also in Iran, Polymerupdate is reporting a delay in the start up of an HDPE plant by Jam Petrochemical Co. at the same Pars Special Economic Energy Zone, in Assaluyeh. Startup of the 300,000 tonnes/yr HDPE plant has been pushed back to May. The plant was originally scheduled to start by the end of March or early April.

Elsewhere in the region, a new HDPE plant is likely to be started at the Q-Chem II complex located at Mesaieed, Qatar in the 1st half of 2009. The plant will have a production capacity of 350,000 tonnes/yr and be located on a site adjacent to the existing Q-Chem complex. A 300,000 tonnes/yr HDPE/LLDPE swing plant is planned to commence operations 1 to 2 months after the dedicated HDPE plant goes onstream, while a 300,000 tonnes/yr polypropylene (PP) plant at the complex will launch in the second half of 2008.

In Asia, after some production problems at its No. 2 PP line, which has production capacity of 165,000 tonnes/yr, PolyMirae is operating at full capacity rates. Problems were experienced in the extrusion process at Line No. 2, with production stopped on March 20. Normal production restarted on March 25.

In Europe, a brief shutdown took place at an LLDPE/HDPE swing plant operated by SABIC Europe in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The unplanned shutdown brought offline PE production capacity of 350,000 tonnes/yr but lasted only a few days.

In European pricing news, polystyrene (PS) was unchanged, with the potential for North American imports adding downward pressure on prices. General-purpose PS contract prices were assessed at euro 1415/tonne FD North West Europe, with high-impact PS at euro 1460/tonne FD North West Europe. Spot general-purpose prices were reported at euro 1215/tonne FD North West Europe.

In LLDPE, contract prices were assessed at euro 1285/tonne FD North West Europe, with spot prices down to euro 1210/mt FD North West Europe. LDPE prices were steady at euro 1275/tonne FD North West Europe, while polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspension-grade contract prices were mixed. Some contracts rolled over from February, while others were off euro 10/tonne.