Asian benzene-naphtha spread hovers near breakeven levels of $150/mt

摘要

Singapore — The Asian benzene-naphtha price spread slipped to $154/mt Tuesday, down $23.25/mt from $177.25/mt on Monday, to a two-and-a-half-month low and very close to the breakeven level of $150/mt, Platts data showed. The spread was last that narrow on March 8 at $153.75/mt. The benzene-naphtha spread shows if benzene production margins are economical. Aromatics producers prefer the price spread to range between $150/mt and $200/mt, depending on the production process used. The spread fell below $200/mt on May 17 at $177.50/mt, and has remained under $200/mt since then. Sharp declines in benzene and naphtha in the past week led to a narrower spread. On May 17, benzene prices were at $882.50/mt FOB Korea, while naphtha was at $705/mt CFR Japan.