Aromatic & Aliphatic Solvents

Aromatic solvents refer to toluene and xylenes sold on the rack market – representing truck and railcar deliveries to domestic US customer – for use in solvent applications. Other hydrocarbon solvents covered include Aromatic 100 and 150, typically sold as a gasoline blend product. The 100/150 tag represents the flash point of the two products, as specifications differ when the product comes out of the refinery.

Hexane, mineral spirits high and low, and varnish makers and paints (VM&P) markets are collectively featured in the Aliphatic Solvents section of the report.  Hexane is sold mostly to the soybean oil extraction sector, the largest consumer, as well as to adhesive makers. Mineral spirits high, also known as Regular MS, contains more than 7-8% of aromatics. Mineral spirits low is also referred to as Rule 66 material and contains less than 7-8% aromatic content.

ICIS pricing quotes aromatic and aliphatic solvents in the USA

Frequency:

Published weekly on Tuesdays

Aromatics & Aliphatic Solvents (USA)

Weekly Spot Price Assessments

Aromatic solvents spot prices – Toluene, xylene, and aromatic solvents 100 and 150:

• HOUSTON DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• CHICAGO DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA and GEORGIA DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

Aliphatic solvents spot prices – Hexane, Vinyl Makers and Paints, and Mineral Spirits High and Low:

• HOUSTON DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• CHICAGO DEL (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

General Information:

Assessment window: Assessments are based on information supplied by market participants up to the close of business 1700 hours each Tuesday Houston (Central US) time.

Specifications: Due to minor differences in product specifications from various producers, ICIS pricing coverage of aromatics and aliphatic solvents is taken to represent the spectrum of slightly differentiated solvent products traded in each rack market.

Timing: Values listed are considered effective through the next cycle of price changes announced by producers. There is no specific time frame for each cycle of price change. Proposed price adjustments are normally announced in advance, based on driving changes in market fundamentals.

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date.

Standard cargo size: Volumes for trucks are generally taken to be the equivalent of 6,500 gallons or 45,000 lbs. Railcar volumes range from 26,000 – 30,000 gallons, or 185,000 lbs, depending on the size of the car commissioned by the producer.

Assessment basis: Aromatic and aliphatic solvents assessments in he USA use the following conversion factors (lb/gal): Toluene: 7.26, ARO 100: 7.30, Hexane: 5.60, Min Spirits: 6.40, Xylene: 7.25, ARO 150: 7.49, VM&P: 6.20

Prices are assessed based upon spot price movements in the aromatic and aliphatic solvents distribution markets. Values are quoted on a pre-discount basis, delivered to distributors in trucks or railcars.

The report offers 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.

 

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