Plasticizers - Europe January 2016

In Italy, the plasticizers market closed January on a downward note as initially stable to slightly softer prices met resistance from buyers due to lower feedstock costs. The price ranges are quoted at €1080-1120/ton for DOP, at €1050-1150/ton for DOTP and at €1000-1130/ton for DINP and DIDP FD Italy, 60/90 days deferred payment for January.

A South European producer wrapped up their January deals for plasticizers with decreases of €20-30/ton after stepping back from his initial rollover requests. A producer source commented, “Demand has been good and supply is sufficient. The outlook is bearish for February due to rapid decreases in feedstock costs.”

A distributor offered West and Central European cargoes with rollovers to decreases of €20/ton from December, considering demand to be stable.

Several buyers reported receiving initial offers for plasticizers with rollovers to decreases of €20/ton while adding that they managed to close their deals with larger discounts of €30-40/ton later in the month. For February, expectations are calling for further reductions on the buyers’ side in line with lower upstream costs.

In the import market, South Korean cargoes were offered at €995/ton for DINP and at €975/ton for DOTP on a DDP, 60 days deferred payment basis. DINP offers for this origin are mostly in line with the low end of the local range whereas DOTP offers were considered to be competitive.