US acetone imports nearly tripled in Feb from Jan - ITC

12 April 2011 22:13  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--US acetone imports almost tripled in February from January, according to data released on Tuesday by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

Acetone imports, derived from cumene or other feedstocks, totaled 3,705 tonnes in February, the commission said. In January imports totaled 1,357 tonnes.

Acetone had been long in the US at the end of 2010, but tightened at the start of this year as several cumene units went into turnaround for maintenance.

As a result, US spot acetone prices have increased since February on tight supply, rising to 56.5-57.5 cents/lb ($1,246-1,268/tonne, €859-875/tonne) FOB (free on board) as of 8 April, as assessed by ICIS. Spot prices ended February at 52.0-53.0 cents/lb FOB.

Compared with acetone imports of 3,723 tonnes in February 2010, total acetone imports in February this year were down by less than half a percent.

Supply tightness for February acetone also lowered export volumes to 21,689 tonnes in February this year. That total was down 23.7% from 28,423 tonnes exported in February 2010.

Month on month, acetone exports dropped 13.3% from 25,005 tonnes in January 2011.

($1 = €0.69)

To learn more about acetone, visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: John Dietrich
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