Standard thermoplastics in September: Prices soften on a broad front / Polyolefins tending downwards / PVC in weak rollover/ PS and EPS producers pass on feedstock relief/ Output cuts to avoid surpluses

摘要

By the end of Q3 it was clear that producers' forecast price surge would not take place. In fact, September was a buyers' market. As feedstocks slipped - ethylene by only EUR 5/t, propylene more strongly by EUR 37/t - most buyers achieved at least minor concessions. LDPE and HDPE lost up to EUR 20/t, while LLDPE rose only at the top end (C6/C8). Most PP producers had to pass on the reduced cost for injection moulding grades, but improved their margins slightly for film grades despite being forced to concede EUR 25/t.Once-tight EVA plunged by EUR 105/t. Even with supply ample, the PVC price decline was held to EUR 5/t. After a sharp leap in August, the styrene monomer (SM) reference price retreated again, this time by EUR 39/t. Among styrenics only EPS producers were able to pocket any of the cost relief as prices softened by just EUR 25/t. Sellers of the more plentiful PS had to pass on the full cost reduction of EUR 40/t.