Chemical Guide

Polyester upstream ethylene prices gained in Asian and USA markets pushed by rising feedstock naphtha values and tight market supply. Demand from downstream derivative markets was also buoyant, particularly from polyethylene markets. However, demand in Japan was seen dropping. Similarly, Asian paraxylene prices regained the previous week’s loss while European markets saw prices weakening following an uptrend last week. Based on ethylene strengthen and a low previous week’s base, Asian MEG market picked and prices regained their previous week’s losses. The inching up of paraxylene prices in a narrow band provided limited cost support to PTA markets in Asia. Prices gained marginally.

The Asian polyester chips markets however, were in stalemate as demand from China declined and cost support from upstream was limited. Mixed trends were seen in Asian polyester markets with prices of filament yarn going down and PSF becoming dearer. PFY prices weakened in China while the Karachi market of Pakistan reported strengthening of DTY numbers. Malaysia/Indonesia and Indian prices rolled over previous week’s numbers. Asian polyester staple fibre market sentiment was steady and prices moved up in China while they rolled in Taiwan/Korea, India and Pakistan.

Source: YnFx.com