Europe BPA faces low demand despite November price drop

12 December 2008 13:25  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--The European bisphenol A (BPA) market continued to be plagued by weak demand despite a significant price drop in November, market sources said on Friday.

“Price wise, nothing has changed during the last few weeks, and even attractive prices do not matter as the demand is not there,” said a source.

November contract settlements for BPA were assessed at €950-1,100/tonne (1,267-1,467/tonne) FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe), according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

There had been little-to-no activity in the marketplace in December as players continued destocking inventories to improve cash flow, and numerous sources expected this to continue into the new year.

A supplier source said that it had only been producing to meet outstanding long-term contracts and necessary obligations.

An upturn in prices for Asian material had made imports from that region less compelling for buyers.

According to one trader, there would also be less BPA from Russia available on the market, as weather conditions would make shipping material to Europe difficult.

In addition, said the trader, the reopening of a major polycarbonate plant in the region could significantly boost domestic captive demand.

Another source believed that the lower operating rates of acetone and upstream phenol producers would help balance the oversupply in the market and restore pricing levels in January.

Other sources said they felt that current reductions in operating rates were not significant enough to help rectify the oversupply in the market, given the massive slump in downstream demand.

($1 = €0.75)

For more on BPA visit ICIS chemical intelligence
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By: Truong Mellor
+44 208 652 3214

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