FocusAsian naphtha crackers to run at full tilt in July

01 July 2009 05:49  [Source: ICIS news]

By Peh Soo Hwee

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Asian cracker operators plan to keep ethylene production at close to full rates for the third straight month in July, against earlier expectations, due to prevailing strong derivative polymer prices, industry sources said on Wednesday.

An informal survey among cracker operators in northeast and southeast Asia showed that the bulk of the 67 facilities in the region were expected to operate at 90-100% this month.

“This is the time to ramp up production and push product out,” said one olefins producer. “After September, who knows what will happen?” the source said referring to new capacities which were expected to come on stream after July-August.

Delays in polyethylene (PE) and monoethylene glycol (MEG) exports to Asia from the Middle East and postponements in the start up of new crackers in China had kept polymer prices riding high in June although PE demand had started to taper off following the price spike.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) film grade spot prices were assessed at $1,200-1,280/tonne(€852-909/tonne) CFR (cost and freight) China last week.

This represented a healthy spread of around $300/tonne compared with ethylene spot prices, which were at a eight-month high of $910-950/tonne CFR NE Asia over the same period, according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

The fat margins that PE makers currently enjoy have spurred some olefins traders to set ethylene price targets at above $1,000/tonne CFR Asia after recent reported deals at $920-950/tonne FOB (free on board) Taiwan for July delivery.

The rebound in feedstock naphtha and crude values to above $71/bbl early this week were also expected to provide some support for the monomer.

Several traders said there was a higher chance for ethylene prices in southeast Asia to breach the $1,000/tonne level as recent cracker shutdowns and high derivative polymer operating rates in Iran had severely curtailed the supply of ethylene to southeast Asia from the Middle East.

Last year, Iran typically shipped out around 10-15 ethylene cargoes each month but average monthly volumes have been whittled down to about half especially in the second quarter of 2009, traders estimate.

“Buyers in southeast Asia will have to pay more because of the lack of supply from Iran. We are seeing interest from PE makers at close to $1,000/tonne,” said an olefins trader.

($1 = €0.71)

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By: Peh Soo Hwee
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