US export PVC prices slipped $5/mt week on week, assessed Wednesday at $995-1,005/mt FAS Houston, as offers from trading sources were heard near $1,010/mt FAS level, with trading levels heard at $1,000/mt level. Producer sources said April prices will see little change from March levels, as high ethylene costs and natural gas prices, combined with weaker caustic soda prices pushed vinyl chain production margins substantially lower in the past five months, despite the recent increase seen in prices. “We see that there is not that much demand for US PVC at this price level, but ethylene is higher than last year, caustic prices dropped $80/mt from one year ago, and nat gas prices spiked 50% from last year’s level.
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