Acrylonitrile

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is used to make acrylic fibres, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). Acrylic fibres, used in carpets and clothing, account for over half of total demand. ABS and SAN resins used in pipes and fittings, automobiles, furniture and packaging, consume about 30% of output. Smaller applications include nitrile rubber copolymers, adiponitrile and acrylamide.

Acrylonitrile is a suspected carcinogen and its liquid or vapour irritates the eyes, nose and throat. Breathing acrylonitrile for short periods of time adversely affects the nervous system, the blood, the kidneys and the liver. Nervous system effects range from headaches and dizziness to irritability, rapid heart beat and death. Direct contact with the liquid severely damages the skin causing erythema and blisters.

Acrylonitrile is a severe fire and explosion hazard that polymerises readily on exposure to light. Powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray or carbon dioxide should be used to extinguish fires.

 ICIS pricing quotes acrylonitrile in Europe, Asia-Pacific, China and the US Gulf

Frequency:

All reports are published weekly: China on Tuesdays, Europe and Asia Pacific and the US Gulf on Fridays.

Acrylonitrile (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Acrylonitrile Contract Prices

• FD NWE Quarterly (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Acrylonitrile Spot Prices

• CIF NWE (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CIF MED (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Acrylonitrile Feedstock Prices

• PROPYLENE FD NWE Quarterly (EUR/MT)

 

Acrylonitrile (ASIA-PACIFIC)

Acrylonitrile Contract Prices

• CFR N.E.ASIA Quarterly (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Acrylonitrile Spot Prices

• CFR N.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR INDIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Acrylonitrile (CHINA)

Acrylonitrile Spot Prices

• CFR CHINA MAIN PORT  (USD/MT)
• EX-TANK EAST CHINA  (CNY/MT)   
• DEL EAST CHINA  (CNY/MT)
• DEL NORTH CHINA (CNY/MT)

Acrylonitrile (US GULF)

Acrylonitrile Contract Prices

• DOMESTIC (DEL) Monthly formula contract price (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

• EXPORT (FOB) (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

Acrylonitrile Spot Prices

• FOB EXPORT (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Acrylonitrile Feedstocks

• AMMONIA FOB NOLA (USD/ST)
• PROPYLENE C GRADE Monthly Contract (US CTS/LB)

 

General Information:

Assessment window: Assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to the close of business on Fridays at 1700 hours in London, Singapore and Houston. For the China report assessments are based on information supplied over the preceding week up to the close of business on Tuesdays at 1700 in Shanghai.

Specification: ICIS pricing acrylonitrile quotes are based on product with a minimum purity of 99.85%.

Timing: Parcels loading within two-four weeks forward from the date of publication. In Asia spot parcels loading usually within two to four weeks from date of settlement. In China domestic parcels are usually loaded on a prompt shipment basis from the date of settlement.

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date. Spot prices into India usually assume buyers holding a letter of credit with credit terms between 30-90 days. In China, domestic cargoes are normally settled on a LC at sight basis.

Standard Cargo Size: Standard cargo sizes are 1,000 tonnes in Europe, while in Asia including China import market assessments cover typical cargoes of 1-2,000 tonnes. In the China domestic market, cargo sizes range between 50-200 tonnes. In the United States, ICIS pricing assesses cargos of 500 tonnes and above.

Assessment basis: Pricing assessments are based on information gathered throughout the week from producers, buyers, distributors; supply and demand information; production information when applicable and takes into account upstream and downstream pricing/supply information. The assessments take into consideration buy/sell indications, firm bids and offers, notional price discussions and rumoured, reported and confirmed deals. In the event of lack of trades, the published price range represents the highest bids received and the lowest sell indications of the week.

In Europe, contract prices are gross prices typically defining key acrylonitrile accounts settled on a quarterly basis. The general consensus is that the European contract range is representative of the resins industry. This is used as a benchmark for fibre contracts which are held at lower numbers.

The quarterly NE Asia Contract Prices are settled on a retroactive basis. CFR N.E. ASIA spot prices represent spot transactions into China and Japan. CFR INDIA spot prices represent spot transactions into India. Contract prices for southeast Asia are discussed in the text. Factors such as arbitrage cargo movements, supply/demand balance, plant operating rates, feedstock and derivative markets, and general market sentiment, are also be taken into account.

In the China report, EX-TANK EAST CHINA spot prices represent transactions in major ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo and Lianyungang. DEL EAST CHINA spot prices represent trades in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces. DEL NORTH CHINA spot prices represent transactions in the Shandong, Hebei and Henan provinces.

In the US, contract prices are a formula based on propylene and ammonia price changes. A majority of US export business is conducted with Asia

All regional reports offer market commentary that includes details of traced transactions, news on the supply/demand balance, export/import information, contract price negotiations and general sentiment for price direction. Where applicable there is product information, comments on up and downstream market developments and general market intelligence.

 

Printer Friendly

ICIS free trials

Find out how ICIS can help you. Get a free trial to any of the ICIS products and services. Find out more >>