US December MIBK exports nearly double year over year

10 February 2010 23:08  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US exports of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) rose in December to 828 tonnes, an increase of 165% from 312 tonnes during the same month of 2008, according to US International Trade Commission (ITC) data released on Wednesday.

Improved US economic conditions toward the end of 2009 boosted December exports, but full-year exports of MIBK were down by 48%, as volumes shrank to 12,393 tonnes from 23,972 tonnes in 2008.

The top destinations for December exports were Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, with 94% of the month’s total exports, according to the ITC.

No MIBK was imported during December amid flat demand in the US, sources said. Imports were also down by 41% for full-year 2009, dropping to 8,393 tonnes from 14,331 tonnes in 2008.

Current US prices for MIBK were 90-100 cents/lb ($1,984-2,205/tonne, €1,448-1,610/tonne), according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing

US MIBK producers include Dow Chemical, Eastman and Celanese.

($1= €0.73)

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By: Larry Terry
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