Styrene Europe

摘要

Northwest European styrene monomer barges loading 5-30 days forward were assessed at $1,375.50/mt FOB ARA Friday, up $14/mt day on day. Despite gains on the day, spot prices have fallen $20.50/mt week on week. This was attributed to a more balanced supply outlook for July when styrene units come back online. “It is a divided market. June is tight and July is more balanced. So as the market get deeper into June, we’ll see prices come closer together,” a consumer source said. The same source said there would greater correlation between European and Asian prices as market players track global price trends to maintain an attractive arbitrage window from other regions. In Asia, the return of Korean styrene capacity has caused a downward trend in the Asian market and prices to fall to $1,277.50/mt FOB Korea Friday, after reaching a year-to-date peak of $1,454.50/mt on May 15.