Polyolefins

US February propylene initially settles up 6 cents/lb

ICIS News : 11-Feb-13 21:38

HOUSTON (ICIS)--US propylene contracts for February have started to settle at an 8% gain, sources said on Monday.

Several sources said they have reached February settlements for propylene at an increase of 6 cents/lb ($132/tonne, €99/tonne), lower than initial nominations of 7 and 9 cents/lb.

The increase puts polymer-grade propylene (PGP) at 79.0 cents/lb and chemical-grade propylene (CGP) at 77.5 cents/lb.

The increase comes on the back of tightened supply because of several unexpected cracker outages in January and low production of refinery-grade propylene (RGP).

However, the gains were slightly offset by weakening demand in the polypropylene (PP) market.

US propylene contracts gained 15 cents/lb in January, and have increased by 26 cents/lb since October.

($1 = €0.75)

By John Dietrich
713-525-2600
icisnews.americas@icis.com