Asian benzene-toluene spread at 7-month low.

摘要

On July 16, Asian benzene weakened against strengthening toluene, pushing the spread between the two products to just $164/mt, a point last exceeded on Dec. 17, 2013. Toluene FOB Korea was assessed at $l,171/mt, up $7/mt from July 15, while FOB Korea benzene was assessed down $29.50/mt from the day before at $l,335/mt. Asian benzene has been on a downward trend since June 25, following US prices and possibly exacerbated by the startup of new benzene/paraxylene plants. Toluene, meanwhile, has been supported as Chinese inventories have fallen from 154K mt early in April to 117.5K mt in early July.