Intermediates news in brief

16 May 2011 00:00  [Source: ICB]

US MAY BUTAC UP ON C3
US butyl acetate (butac) jumped about 4 cents/lb ($88/tonne, €59/tonne) across all ranges as the market appeared to accept much of producers' proposals for May, based on higher propylene costs. Contract prices were 97-100 cents/lb and spot FOB (free on board) was 93-96 cents/lb as of May 3.

EU MAY MEG DOWN €66
The European monoethylene glycol (MEG) contract price for May has been fully confirmed at €1,034/tonne ($1,543/tonne), down €66/tonne from April.

EU MAY PHENOL UP €29
The May European phenol ­contract price has increased by €29/tonne ($42/tonne), following the May benzene ­contract price, to settle on a pre-discounted basis at €1,433-1,473/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (Northwest Europe).

EU MIBK AT NEW HIGH
European methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) prices have reached a record high on low availability, increasing by €150-200/tonne ($217-290/tonne) in the week ending May 6, to €1,950-2,400/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (Northwest Europe).

EU MEK SETS RECORD
European methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) prices hit record highs during the week ending May 6, increasing €180-300/tonne ($261-435/tonne) to €1,900-2,400/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (Northwest Europe).

EU MAY PA ROLLS OVER
European phthalic anhydride (PA) May contract prices settled at a rollover from April, reflecting a similar move in the feedstock orthoxylene (OX) May contract price, at €1,260-1,270/tonne ($1,826-1,841/tonne) FD (free delivered) NWE (Northwest Europe) for liquid, and €1,195-1,245/tonne FD NWE for flake.

By: Clay Boswell
+1 713 525 2653

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