Butadiene: Europe

摘要

European butadiene producers’ focus this week was switching away from Asia toward the US as FOB Korea/Japan prices fell $30/mt. Demand in the US was said to be steadily firming as sources report the imminent restart of a major US consumer unit, sources said. As a result, European sources said that a number of inquiries were now seen from the US for product, with one NWE producer saying that it had received bids as high as $1,550/mt on a FOB Rdam basis for export. In the US spot prices were seen pegged at 80 cents/lb ($1,763/mt), 10 cents above the US February CP, and this market was attracting the pull of European cargoes. With freight rates at around $200-250/mt most producers said they had sold cargoes at $1,500/mt FOB Rdam fixed for export.