US March acrylates rise sharply on supply constraints

25 March 2010 03:09  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--Negotiated March contract prices for US acrylic acid and acrylate esters have moved up sharply on intense supply pressure, sources said on Wednesday.

Price increases fell short of some producers’ initiatives of up to 20 cents/lb ($441/tonne, €326/tonne), but sellers achieved gains of 13-15 cents/lb, as participants struggled with tight capacity and volume limits stemming from unplanned outages that have plagued the market since December.

Some buyers viewed the highest of the March contract initiatives as an attempt of producers to grab margins. At first, the buyers vowed to accept increases only on feedstock chemical-grade propylene (CGP) values, but eventually conceded to higher offers for acrylates.

Despite a lack of robust demand for monomers from paint, coatings and adhesives makers, spot prices have fluctuated wildly as volumes on sales control or allocation have forced buyers to seek alternate supply.

Spot glacial acrylic acid (GAA) prices from Asia range between high-90 cents/lb levels to $3.70/lb for one bulk shipment, sources said.

 “A tight market always benefits producers,” one source said. “But this is unhealthy.”

In the meantime, April initiatives of 8-12 cents/lb have surfaced from two producers who have cited continued supply constraints as part of their rationale.

March contract prices for US acrylic acid rose to 99-104 cents/lb, according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing 

US acrylates producers include Dow Chemical, Arkema and BASF.

($1 = €0.74)

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By: Larry Terry
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