Engineering Polymers - Europe February 2016

Month: February 2016

Month: February 2016
	€/ton	€/ton
Polymer	Min	Max
EPS	1170	1250
PA 6	1400	1600
PA 6,6	2050	2300
PC	2100	2400
SAN	1550	1750
PBT	1870	2200
POM	1300	1450
PMMA	2050	2400

PC prices followed a stable trend for another month in February, with most players reporting that PC prices were rolled over from January. Only one buyer stated that he heard about decreases of €150/ton in the market, but he considered this reduction to be a special case, having observed mostly stable prices in February. The buyer expects increases in the second quarter of the year considering a seasonal pick-up in PC demand. A compounder heard that import offers from Iran and Middle East were available in the market so he contacted suppliers offering these origins. No concerns about supply were reported.

Players reported PA6 and PA6.6 prices were mostly steady for February. The January caprolactam contract was announced with a decrease of €15-20/ton from the previous month, and similar losses are expected for the February contract. The benzene contract was settled with a decrease of €35/ton for February. Supply is ample for both products. A buyer believes that the market has reached the bottom and expects increases in the March-April period. A trader thinks that supply levels for PA will rise notably in the medium term since he heard that a US producer would increase its PA output and partner with a European producer for PA production. Demand from the automotive sector is stable.

SAN prices registered decreases between €20-40/ton in February. A buyer heard talks about possible increases for March, but players are mostly expecting stable prices. Demand is performing well. March styrene contracts are awaited with increases of up to €30/ton.

EPS prices faced some downward pressure from lower styrene. February offers registered decreases of €30-50/ton as the monomer contract was settled with a reduction of €50/ton for the month. A seller believes that prices might have hit the bottom in February as the styrene contract is awaited higher for March. He also projects a reversal in trend for the imminent month. A buyer reported he is thinking about buying some extra material, considering the existing prices to be competitive. The outlook for March is stable to firmer. A buyer noted that supply is in balance with demand while the majority of players reported that availability is not ample.

For PMMA, prices tracked a stable trend in February. Players mostly reported stable prices. The MMA contract was settled lower for the first quarter of 2016. Demand is also stable. No major changes are awaited in the short term.

POM and PBT prices have remained unchanged from the previous month. Supply and demand dynamics are in balance. A buyer stated that POM prices have reached very low levels while another converter reported that European prices caught up with Asian levels at €1300-1350/ton. The outlook is stable.
Price ranges reported include an average freight cost to the customers’ location as well as duties if applicable, although VAT is not included.