US January MIBK exports fall by more than 50% year on year

11 March 2010 22:59  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US exports of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) fell in January to 337 tonnes, a decrease of 56% from 762 tonnes during the same month of 2009, according to US International Trade Commission (ITC) data released on Thursday.

Although MIBK exports fell even more precipitously when compared with December 2009, January volumes reflected gradually improving demand and increased imports from Mexico and South Africa.

The top export destination was Brazil, which took 69% of January’s shipments abroad. China and Canada took 13-15% of the month’s total volume.

In the meantime, imports jumped to 3,072 tonnes in January from only 36 tonnes a year earlier and no imports in December 2009, the ITC said. January volumes were primarily from Mexico and South Africa.

February US prices for MIBK were 93-103 cents/lb ($2,050-2,271/tonne, €1,497-1,658/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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