US March MEK imports rise 14% year over year

12 May 2010 22:15  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US imports of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) rose in March to 8,206 tonnes, an increase of 14% from 7,221 tonnes during the same month one year ago, according to US International Trade Commission (ITC) data released on Wednesday.

The top three sources for MEK in March were the Netherlands, South Africa, the UK and Brazil, comprising 7,588 tonnes or 92% of imported material.

March imports rose sharply from the previous month, however, as demand for lower-priced material heightened amid cracker outages in the US Gulf coast that strained feedstock supply.

March MEK exports fell by 36% from the previous month, but were up sharply from the year-ago period, the ITC said.

Current US prices for MEK were 80-84 cents/lb ($1,764-1,852/tonne, €1,394-1,463/tonne), according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

US MEK producers include Shell Chemicals and ExxonMobil.

($1= €0.79)

For more on MEK, visit ICIS chemical intelligence
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By: Larry Terry
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