asian weekly scan 16sep2008

8/3/2019 Asian Weekly Scan 16Sep2008

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Polymerupdate.com/ShalimarInfotechPvtLtd344,A ZIndustrialEstate,G.K.Marg,LowerParel,Mumbai400013,INDIA

Tel:(9122)3040882125 Fax:(9122)30408826 email:[email protected]

Crude Oil - Nymex Price Trend forFeb 08 to Sep 08

Crude Oil PricesCrude Oil USD/Barrel

08/09 15/09 Trend

Nymex Crude 106.34 95.71

Dated Brent 101.46 89.82

WTI Cushing 106.34 95.71


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NAPHTHAForward naphtha downadjusts in Asia - Sep 15, 2008

Asian open spec naphtha bid prices on Friday for the 1st half of October were assessed at the USD 897/mt CFR Far East levels while the ask ratewas at the USD 899/mt CFR Far East mark. For the 2nd half of October bid prices were at the USD 903.50/mt CFR Far East levels while the askrate was assessed at the USD 905.50/mt CFR Far East mark. For the 1st half of November, bid prices were assessed at the USD 908/mt CFR FarEast levels while the ask rate was assessed at the USD 910/mt CFR Far East levels.

A short while ago a polymerupdate team member asked a naphtha trader where the forward naphtha prices were directed this morning following amixed trend in crude prices over the weekend.

The trader said, "at about 09:51 a.m. Singapore time today the forward naphtha market price indications for the 1st half of October were down atthe USD 885.58/mt levels while for the 2nd half of October the forward naphtha market price indications were at the USD 890.58/mt levels. For the1st half of November the forward naphtha market price indications were at the USD 894.58/mt levels."

Naphtha Price Trend for

Feb 08 to Sep 08

Naphtha PricesNaphtha Period USD/Mt

08/09 16/09 Trend

CFR FAR EAST 2H Oct928.00

931.00

837.50 840.50


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LDPE prices in Asia quoted flat this week with CFR Asia prices of general purpose grades assessed at USD 1780/mt CFR and USD 1790/mtlevels. Despite sinking prices of global crude, falling naphtha, sliding prices of ethylene feedstock and weaker HDPE and LLDPE rates, LDPEprices held steady, mainly on account of producer determination to defend their offers stable.

An individual working for an LDPE maker in South East Asia said to a polymerupdate team member while requesting anonymity, we havealready sharply reduced our offer prices in LDPE in recent weeks and do not think it practical to further lower our offers. LDPE avails are tight inAsia and there are no inventory pressures on us currently. We do not plan to lower our rates any further and do believe that low stocks with actualusers will bring them back to the markets to purchase. Our current offers are at the USD 1800/mt to USD 1820/mt CFR levels. Buyer bids are atthe USD 1750/mt CFR levels.

In plant news, Hanwha Chemical of South Korea will down its PE complex located at Yeosu nex month. The plant has a 285 kt/annum LDPE plantand a 355 kt/annum LLDPE unit.

Irans Arya Sasol Polymer Company plans to start up its new 300 kt/annum LDPE unit located at Assaluyeh within September.

Ethylene Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08

Domestic HDPE Price TrendAug 07 to Sep 08


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HDPE Raffia Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08 HDPE BM Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08

LDPE GP Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08


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Polymerupdate.com/ShalimarInfotechPvtLtd344,A ZIndustrialEstate,G.K.Marg,LowerParel,Mumbai400013,INDIATel:(9122)3040882125 Fax:(9122)30408826 email:[email protected]

Prices for HDPE - (CFR INDIA BASIS) Feedstock : Ethylene09/09 16/09 Trend

$ 1250 $ 1185

Grade S Korea Singapore Thailand Japan S Arabia

09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend

Raffia 1670 1670 - - - 1650 1650 1670 1670 - - -

Film 1700 1700 1690 1690 1690 1690 1690 1690 1700 1700

Injection Moulding 1670 1670 1650 1650 1650 1650 1670 1670 1680 1680

Blow Moulding 1680 1680 1660 1660 1660 1660 1680 1680 - - -

Pipe 1700 1700 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Prices for LLDPE - (CFR INDIA BASIS)



Film 1730 1710 1720 1700 1720 1700 1730 1710 1740 1720

Roto Moulding 1800 1780 - - - - - - 1800 1780 - - -


Prices for LDPE - (CFR INDIA BASIS)


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Grade S Korea Singapore Thailand Japan Qatar


General Purpose 1850 1830 1820 1800 1820 1800 1850 1830 1850 1850

Heavy Duty 1850 1830 1820 1800 1820 1800 1850 1830 1850 1850

Milk Pouch 1850 1830 1820 1800 1820 1800 1850 1830 1850 1850

Injection Moulding 1830 1810 1800 1790 1800 1790 - - - - - -

Lamination - - - - - - - - - - - - 1840 1840

POLYPROPYLENE

Propylene prices in Asia crash - Sep 15, 2008

Propylene prices crashed in Asia last week. On Friday, prices nosedived as panic stricken sellers slashed their offers in a desperate attempt toliquidate positions. On the week, prices of propylene fell by levels ranging between USD 250/mt to USD 300/mt. Fast building inventories,extremely weak demand on account of run cuts at downstream PP, ACN and acrylic acid faciltities, proved bearish for propylene as prices on anFOB Korea basis plunged to the USD 1200/mt levels.

While speaking with a regional seller of propylene this morning, a polymerupdate team member was told, global economies have slowed. Exportorders from Europe and the US have been hit and this is directly impacting demand for raw materials like PP. Prices of PP last week plummetedwith injection and raffia grade prices in North East Asia assessed down at the USD 1510/mt CFR levels. In light of this steep price plunge, offersfor propylene have been reduced to the USD 1250/mt CFR levels for October. What is worrying us immensely is that despite the sharp price cut inpropylene, we have failed to conclude deals, convincing us that the worst is far from over.

He added, several PP producers are responding to the weak demand situation in the region by cutting output. Taiwan Polypropylene Co hasreduced rates at its PP plant in Kaohsiung to 90% rates. South Koreas Polymirae is looking to reduce output to 75% rates in October. FormosaPolypropylene Co has slashed rates at its PP unit in Ningbo to 70%. Propylene feedstock demand as a result is steadily falling and we have nocoice but to drop our offer rates.


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Propylene Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08

Domestic Polypropylene Price TrendMar 07 to Sep 08

PP Raffia Price Trend

Feb 08 to Sep 08 PPCP (IMPACT/BLOCK) Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08


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Prices for PP - (CFR INDIA BASIS) Feedstock : Propylene09/09 16/09 Trend

$ 1550 $ 1250



Raffia 1710 1580 1700 1560 1700 1560 1710 1580 1710 1600


TQ Film 1730 1600 1720 1580 1720 1580 1730 1600 1720 1610

Block Copolymer 1720 1600 1710 1580 1710 1590 1720 1600 - - -

Random Copolymer 1830 1700 1800 1680 1800 1680 1830 1700 - - -

BOPP 1710 1590 1700 1570 1700 1570 1710 1590 - - -

PP INJ Price Trend

Feb 08 to Sep 08


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POLYVINYL CHLORIDEEDC and VCM prices hammered down in Asia - Sep 12, 2008

Prices of EDC fell in Asia this week, sliding on account of ample supplies coupled with falling upstream crude, naphtha and ethylene values. Asharp plunge in downstream VCM and PVC prices also supported the drag down in spot EDC numbers.

On Friday morning, CFR Far East Asia prices of EDC were assessed down at the USD 450/mt levels. Bids were few to be found. Those that wereheard in the markets were at below the USD 430/mt CFR levels.

Meanwhile, prices of VCM were assessed sharply down in Asia. Weaker upstream EDC numbers coupled with falling downstream PVC pricesdragged prices of VCM in Asia lower by more than USD 35/mt from last weeks assessed levels. CFR Far East Asia and CFR South East Asiaprices of VCM were assessed lower at the USD 820/mt levels on Friday morning.

PVC prices slip in China as demand continues to dwindle - Sep 16, 2008

Sentiments in trade were sluggish in the PVC markets of Jieyang City in Guangdong province of southern China. Prices of PVC #5 resin were

quoting down at RMB 7000-7050/mt (on a delivered basis). The deals for some high-end resources were done in small volumes at around RMB7100/mt (on a delivered basis). Transactions at higher prices were difficult to conclude.

Transactions were also difficult to conclude in the PVC market of Fuzhou City in Fujian province. The dealing prices for PVC #5 resin were at RMB7100/mt (on a delivered basis). Some dealing prices were heard at even lower levels. The offers for high-end resources were in the range of RMB7150-7200/mt (on a delivered basis).

On the industry side, Sichuan Jinlu Group Corporation maintained the operation rates at its PVC plant at approximately 70% capacity. Its offers forPVC #5 resin sold inside Sichuan province were at around RMB 7500/mt (on a delivered basis).

A source reported that Leshan Yongxiang Chemical Co., Ltd. lowered its PVC offers. Its offers for PVC #5 resin sold inside Sichuan province wereat around RMB 7500/mt (on a delivered basis). For larger clients, minor discounts were available.


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PVC prices journey south in Asia - Sep 12, 2008

Asian PVC prices journeyed south this week. The absence of buyers accompanied by falling prices of upstream EDC and VCM, pulled lowerregional spot prices of PVC. CFR China and CFR South East Asia prices of PVC were assessed down at the USD 1100/mt levels.

A trader in conversation with a polymerupdate team member said, sliding upstream product costs allow PVC producers to reduce their offers.Despite sharp reductions of between USD 30/mt to USD 40/mt in PVC rates this week, buying interest has failed to show any signs of a recovery.Cues from China remain very negative with most buyers not expected back until after the National Day holidays next month. PVC buying in otherkey markets like India, also remain painfully sluggish.

He added, buyer bids are few to be heard in the markets. Those that are heard are at below the USD 1050/mt CFR China levels. A slowdown inthe construction sector in Asian markets like China will further impact PVC demand going forward. Producers of PVC are battling this difficultmarket situation by slashing their run rates. Current avails of PVC however continue to remain ample.

VCM Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08

EDC Price TrendFeb 08 to Sep 08


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PVC Price Trend (CFR INDIA)Feb 08 to Sep 08

Domestic PVC Price TrendAug 07 to Sep 08

Prices for PVC - (CFR INDIA BASIS)Feedstock 09/09 16/09 Trend

EDC $ 470 $ 460

VCM $ 870 $ 830

Grade S Korea Thailand Japan S Arabia

09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend

Suspension 1170 1130 1150 1130 1150 1140 1160 1130

Emulsion 1200 1160 - - - - - - 1190 1160


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POLYSTYRENESM prices down USD 20/mt - Sep 11, 2008

Softer crude prices coupled with falling naphtha, proved to be a drag on downstream SM prices in Asia on Wednesday.

Spot prices of SM tumbled USD 20/mt, pulling FOB Korea rates down to levels below the USD 1430/mt mark. Despite the steep decline, buyersshied away from committing to purchases. Most were even reluctant to indicate bids given the sluggish trends which had gripped downstream PS,EPS, ABS and SAN markets.

While speaking with an individual working for an SM maker, a polymerupdate team member was told on conditions of anonymity, we are able toreduce our rates given the falling prices of crude, naphtha, ethylene and benzene. Our offers are down at the USD 1435/mt FOB Korea mark, aprice at which we have failed to attract any buying interest. At a morning meeting, there was talk from our management of getting more aggressivewith our offers. We are considering reducing our October loading offer rates down to the USD 1420/mt FOB Korea mark. We should come out witha price within today.

China's PS markets remain in the firm grip of bears - Sep 12, 2008

Falling prices of PS across the Asian markets coupled with declining prices of SM feedstock together dragged lower prices of PS in China'sdomestic markets on Thursday.

Impacted by weak demand, HIPS prices in eastern China were assessed down at RMB 13300-13500/mt yesterday, the low end and high endRMB 150/mt and RMB 100/mt down from the levels seen in the corresponding period of last week.

In the domestic PS markets of Yuyao City in Zhejiang province of eastern China, prices turned bearish as buyers were impossible to find. Offersfor GPPS 666D from Sinopec Beijing Yanhua Petrochemical Co., Ltd., GPPS 5250 from the Ningbo subsidiary of Taiwans Formosa Chemicals &Fibre Corporation (FCFC) and HIPS 514 from Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Co., Ltd. were on offer at RMB 12200-12300/mt, RMB 12300/mt

and RMB 13300/mt respectively. Sales failed to lift despite the lower price offers.

A source reported that grade GPPS 666D from Sinopec Beijing Yanhua Petrochemical Co., Ltd. was on offer at RMB 12000/mt.

GPPS and HIPS prices in Asia fall - Sep 11, 2008


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Asian prices of PS declined this week, falling on the back of tumbling prices of crude, naphtha, ethylene, benzene and SM feedstock rates.Supporting the drop in PS prices was the extremely sluggish buying sentiments which gripped the Asian region.

GPPS rates dropped about USD 20/mt with offers to China down at USD 1570/mt CFR levels. Despite the price fall, buyers in China kept awayfrom purchases. The muted trend was expected to continue through September with no hope of a lift in the purchase momentum until after theNational Day holidays next month.

HIPS prices also fell. Offers to China declined to levels below the USD 1700/mt CFR mark. Buying interest even at the reduced price levels failedto improve.

A trader a polymerupdate team member spoke with said, we are seeing a global economic including both in the US and European markets. Withmost major economies battling recessionary trends, demand for PS in Asia is unlikely to show any signs of an early recovery. Falling energy andSM feedstock rates are clearly not in any way offering any support to the bearish pricing trends in PS. Going forward we therefore believe that wewill see a further dip in PS rates in Asia.

Styrene Monomer Price Trend

Feb 08 to Sep 08

Domestic GPPS/HIPS Price Trend

Aug 07 to Sep 08


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GPPS Price Trend (CFR INDIA)Feb 08 to Sep 08

Prices for PS - (CFR INDIA BASIS)Feedstock : Styrene monomer

09/09 16/09 Trend

1490 1420

Grade S Korea Thailand Japan

09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend 09/09 16/09 Trend

GPPS 1670 1630 1660 1600 1680 1630

HIPS 1760 1730 1750 1720 1770 1730

EPS 1750 1730 - - - - - -


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Prices for SAN - (CFR INDIA BASIS)



SAN 2050 2030 - - - 2060 2030

Prices for ABS - (CFR INDIA BASIS)



ABS 2090 2070 2080 2060 2070 2060

China News

ABS prices down adjust in China Sep 9, 2008

Buying interest has been steadily cooling down in the domestic ABS markets China.

ABS prices were assessed at RMB 15900-16500/mt in the markets of eastern China today, RMB 50/mt down from levels seen a week ago. The

market prices for ABS in southern China were assessed at RMB 15850-16400/mt, the low end and the high end RMB 100/mt and RMB 150/mtdown from levels seen a week ago.

A source noted that some ABS traders indicated that there were signs of buying activity among a few actual users. However this was brushed offas being need based and was unlikely to immediately pull higher local ABS prices given the sharp declines in global crude rates and the weaktrends in upstream SM values.


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PRICESAromatics/Olefins/Polyolefins Update - (CFR INDIA BASIS)

Aromatics Update Price US $

09/09 16/09 Trend

AROMATICS BENZENE FOB KOREA 1120 1050

AROMATICS BENZENE CFR JAPAN 1130 1065

AROMATICS BENZENE CFR INDIA 1120 1070

AROMATICS TOLUENE FOB KOREA 1025 950

AROMATICS TOLUENE CFR JAPAN 1020 960

AROMATICS TOLUENE CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1015 955

AROMATICS STYRENE FOB KOREA 1450 1365

AROMATICS STYRENE CFR JAPAN 1460 1385

AROMATICS STYRENE CFR INDIA 1490 1420


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METHANOL CFR INDIA 345 345

METHANOL CFR CHINA 420 405

XYLENES ORTHO (OX) FOB KOREA 1180 1090

XYLENES ORTHO (OX) CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1200 1115

XYLENES PARA (PX) FOB KOREA 1200 1125

XYLENES PARA (PX) CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1220 1140

SOLVENT MIXED XYLENE FOB KOREA 1000 930

SOLVENT MIXED XYLENE CFR SEA 1030 940

ISOMER MIXED XYLENE FOB KOREA 1030 950

ISOMER MIXED XYLENE CFR SEA 1045 965

Olefins Update Price US$ Trend

OLEFINS ETHYLENE FOB KOREA 1240 1160


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OLEFINS ETHYLENE FOB JAPAN 1240 1160

ETHYLENE CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1280 1200

OLEFINS PROPYLENE FOB KOREA 1440 1200

OLEFINS PROPYLENE FOB JAPAN 1440 1190

PROPYLENE CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1550 1240

OLEFINS BUTADIENE FOB KOREA 3005 3195

OLEFINS BUTADIENE FOB JAPAN 3095 3095

Polyolefins Update Price US$ Trend

POLYETHYLENE HDPE INJECTION CFR FAR EAST 1600 1550

POLYETHYLENE HDPE INJECTION CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1600 1550

POLYETHYLENE LDPE GP-FILM CFR FAR EAST 1780 1760

POLYETHYLENE LDPE GP-FILM CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1780 1770


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POLYETHYLENE LLDPE FILM CFR FAR EAST 1700 1640

POLYETHYLENE LLDPE FILM CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1700 1670

POLYSTYRENE HIPS CFR FAR EAST 1730 1700

POLYSTYRENE HIPS CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1740 1710

POLYSTYRENE GPPS CFR FAR EAST 1600 1570

POLYSTYRENE GPPS CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1610 1580

POLYPROPYLENE INJECTION CFR FAR EAST 1580 1515

POLYPROPYLENE INJECTION CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1590 1525

POLYPROPYLENE FILM CFR FAR EAST 1600 1550

POLYPROPYLENE FILM CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1600 1560

POLYPROPYLENE BLOCK COPOLYMER CFR SOUTH ASIA 1590 1550

POLYPROPYLENE BLOCK COPOLYMER CFR FAR EAST ASIA 1590 1560


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PVC SUSPENSION CFR FAR EAST 1155 1100

PVC SUSPENSION CFR SOUTH EAST ASIA 1165 1110

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asian weekly scan 16sep2008

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