EDC: The US EDC market was being pulled in different directions this week as participants waited to see if pending supply increases would outweigh gains in feedstock costs. Formosa Plastics was expected to bring additional caustic soda and EDC capacities online at its Point Comfort, Texas plant earlier this week though confirmation was not immediately available at time of publication. Weighing against the additional capacity was rising ethylene costs. Spot ethylene values were on the rise, last assessed at 62.625 cents/lb, well above the July contract settlement of 56.75 cents/lb. Meanwhile demand was characterized as stable this week with strong demand expected in Asia during September and October. Spot activity was limited this week with the last reported trade heard done for H2 September at $450/mt CFR Taiwan, though confirmation was not immediately available. Downstream, the US VCM market continued to wrestle with soft PVC demand in both the domestic and export markets.
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