Acrylate imports rise 44% in US

12 December 2007 22:29  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US acrylate esters imports in October totalled 29.7m lb (13,472 tonnes), a 44% increase from 16.5m lb a year earlier, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) said on Wednesday.

October imports were also up by 46% compared with 16.2m lb in September, ITC data showed.

Acrylate esters imports in the year through October were at nearly 200m lb, but down 4% from the 207m lb one year ago.

A swap between a domestic producer and an importer late in 2006 may be the reason for the big change this year, a seller said.

According to ITC data, China, Mexico and South Africa have been sending the US the most material in 2007.

US acrylate esters prices in December were assessed at $1.07-1.17/lb, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

US producers are seeking to raise acrylate prices in the first quarter, industry sources said. The initiative stems from a surge in feedstock propylene, the price of which has climbed by more than 40% in 2007.

Acrylate producers in the US include Arkema, BASF, Dow Chemical, and Rohm and Haas.

By: Heather McGuire Doyle
+1 713 525 2653

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