Ethylene derivatives polyethylene, PVC, MEG markets take hard hit from rising feedstock prices and winter storm element

摘要

Winter storm Uri that hit Texas in February and cause significant ethylene capacity shutdowns is continuing to have pricing effects on the downstream markets. US polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG) markets have all faced the challenge of upward pressure amid rising feedstock costs. Most of the PE plants that had been shut down following the mid-February winter storm have since been restarted, although average plant operating rates remain below normal because of lingering shortages of ethylene feedstock.