NPRA ’11: Tightness starting to hit N American acetone market

27 March 2011 23:18  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ICIS)--Acetone availability in North America is starting to tighten from the effects of the US cumene shortage, several producers and traders said Sunday on the sidelines of the Interational Petrochemical Conference (IPC).

US cumene has been short because of plant turnarounds and mechanical issues from several major producers.

One major US producer had planned to go into turnaround in the first quarter of 2011 but postponed it until the second quarter in order to supply the market.

The company is also shortening the duration of its turnaround, sources said .

As a result, acetone, which had been long in the market, started to balance and has recently become tight.

Currently, US spot acetone is assessed by ICIS at 52-54 cents/lb ($1,146-1,190/tonne, €814-845/tonne) FOB (free on board).

Hosted by the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA), the IPC continues through Tuesday.

($1 = €0.71)

To learn more about acetone visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: John Dietrich
713-525-2600

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