Petrochemicals in Brief

22 April 2002 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

BTX Benzene prices have edged up to $1.13 per gallon to $1.15 per gallon this week following unrest in the Middle East and Venezuela, as well as surging energy costs. No one has nominated May contracts yet, but expectations are for the $1.20 range, well off from the April contract of $1.28. Toluene prices have slipped to 94c. to 95c. per gallon. Mixed xylene prices are down as well, with deals being completed in the $1.04 per gallon range. May contract expectations are for the $1.05 range, down from April's $1.08.

Celanese will increase its global selling price for ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate by $50 per ton in Asia, Australia, Turkey, Africa and the Middle East, effective May 1. In Europe, prices will increase á50 per ton for T2 material and $50 per ton for T1 material, also effective May 1. Celanese says these changes are in addition to those already announced for April.

Cumene April contracts were nominated at 24 cents per pound, a 4.75 cent increase over March. However, downstream demand is still weak, with phenol and acetone production rates off. Rising propylene costs in Europe have prompted export opportunities to that region.

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