Southeast Asia PS plants operating at high rates

07 November 2006 06:36  [Source: ICIS news]

By Clive Ong

 

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Polystyrene (PS) facilities in Southeast Asia are operating at high rates despite the seasonal lull expected in the fourth quarter, a check with producers on Tuesday showed.

 

Demand in China had tapered off amid the seasonal lull with moulders having largely fulfilled manufacturing contracts for the year. However, buying momentum in Southeast Asia was expected to remain stable for November and December.

 

Operating rates at Singapore Denka’s 150,000-200,000 tonnes/year general purpose PS (GPPS) unit were cited at around 80-90%, down slightly from 100% in September to the first half of October, a company source said.

 

Singapore Total Petrochemical’s 75,000 tonnes/year high-impact PS (HIPS) plant is currently operating at full capacity, despite a decline in buying interest.

 

Idemitsu Malaysia’s 140,000 tonnes/year PS facility had increased its output to above 90%, up from around 70% in September, a company source said, adding that the company is building up stocks ahead of a two-week turnaround slated for mid January 2007.

 

In October, spot prices of GPPS fluctuated around $1,320-1,360/tonne CFR Southeast Asia while HIPS prices were around $1,350-1,410/tonne CFR. 

By: Clive Ong
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