Standard Thermoplastics October 2016: PE under pressure despite slight rise in C2 / Increases for PP fall short of cost rise / PS follows SM's downward trend / Notations expected to rise across the board in November

摘要

PE: At the onset of Q4 2016, PE producers had no choice but to hold prices at September's level or lower them slightly, even though the monthly ethylene contract had been fixed EUR 15/t higher. Call-offs were relatively muted. As a result, availability was long, with a slight tendency to a surplus. Looking ahead, the rise in November's C2 contract will push PE prices up. Producers will likely be averse to lowering prices further, which would necessitate a substantial cut in margins.