Styrene:United States

摘要

The US styrene price climbed above 50 cents/lb this week as the benzene contract settled at 301 cents/gal. the benzene CP jump of 22 cents from August levels translated into a roughly 2 cent hike in SM production costs. The ethylene contract also settled, down about half a penny at 39 cents/lb for August. That slight drop in ethylene was not able to offset the 22-cent jump in the benzene contract. At those levels, variable costs for US styrene based on contract feedstocks would be near 46.50 cents/lb. With supplies tight through September, producers were asking for 4 to 5 cents over variable costs to cover fixed costs and margin. Most producers with product were heard offering between 51 and 52 cents/lb. A deal was confirmed done earlier this week at 50.25 cents/lb. At that level, exports to Asia and Europe were restricted. Both European and Asian styrene were trading just below $1,100/mt [50 cents/lb].