US phthalic anhydride August prices rise on OX

01 August 2008 22:12  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US prices for phthalic anhydride (PA) for August delivery rose by 5 cents/lb ($110/tonne, €70/tonne) due to rising costs in feedstock orthoxylene (OX), market participants said on Friday.

OX prices rose by 5 cents/lb in July.

PA prices have steadily increased this year despite a downturn in the US housing and automobile markets - the two biggest sources of downstream demand for the chemical, which is used to make fibreglass.

“We’ve gone well beyond historic highs,” one producer said.

Molten PA prices were at 77.5-84.5 cents/lb FOB (free on board) and PA flake prices were at 78.5-84.5 cents/lb DEL (delivered), according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing. 

Major US producers of PA include Koppers, Stepan and BASF.

($1 = €0.64)

For more on phthalic anhydride or OX visit ICIS chemical intelligence
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By: David Rosen
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