Engineering Thermoplastics March 2014: Benzene derivatives show first signs of a rise / Livelier demand / Imports quash producers' hopes of lifting price of standard materials / Hikes likely as Q2 gets underway

摘要

The upward trend in European engineering thermoplastics prices continued into March. The surge was led by benzene-based materials. Although the availability of cheap import alternatives kept the rises for both PC and POM in check, notations for more specialised or reinforced grades also rose before the new quarter even got underway. There was a clear upward trend for the entire polyamide portfolio. PMMA producers were still waiting in the wings with price initiatives, holding back until the onset of Q2. PBT notations also remained stable. Following the global decline in the relevant feedstocks, the price of engineering polyester grades started to crumble. As for styrene copolymers, ABS prices followed the SM decline. By contrast, stable feedstock prices meant PP compound notations actually stayed put.