US September MIBK imports drop by 98% year on year

13 November 2009 21:29  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US imports of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) fell in September to a mere 18 tonnes, a 98% drop from import volumes of 794 tonnes during the same month one year ago, according to US International Trade Commission (ITC) data released on Friday.

Taiwan was the sole source of imported MIBK during the month, the ITC said. There were no September volumes from South Africa, which shipped 700 tonnes during the same year-ago period.

There were also no September shipments from Mexico, compared with 482 tonnes in the previous month, as domestic buying interest remained weak in a fairly balanced market, sources said.

Concurrently, MIBK exports rose to 831 tonnes, a 46% increase over year-ago volumes of 571 tonnes. The top destination was Korea, which took 63% of September’s shipments.

US MIBK prices were 90-105 cents/lb ($1,985-2,315/tonne, €1,330-1,551/tonne), according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing. However, some buyers said prices had begun to narrow at the high end of the range as those price levels largely were seen as untenable.

US MIBK producers include Dow Chemical, Eastman and Celanese.

($1= €0.67)

For more on MIBK visit ICIS chemical intelligence
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By: Larry Terry
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