European aromatics prices set to spike as refiners shun MTBE

摘要

San Antonio-European aromatics prices were set to soar from April as the US MTBE phase-out in May nears,sources at the fringes of the 31st IPC conference organized by the NPRA told Platts,March 27.One European-based trader said he was now focused on sourcing greater volumes of toluene as a blend component for shipment to the US prior to May,in anticipation of firm demand as refiners search for alternatives to MTBE,which is being jettisoned by US gasoline refiners.