Engineering Plastics

Polyacetal (POM) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are covered under the Engineering Plastics umbrella.

POM is a crystalline plastic often used for technical applications due to its strength, ductility (ability to be drawn into threads without breaking) and good machinability. Its properties make it suitable for click connections (e.g. bicycle lamp holders). The material is known for its stiffness, strength and hardness up to 120ºC, and is as elastic as many metals. It is wear resistant and has a very low friction coefficient. The colour is opaque white, and carbon black can be added to protect the product from UV-light.

PBT is a semi-crystalline, white or off-white polyester similar in both composition and properties to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It has slightly lower strength and stiffness than PET. PBT is softer, but it has higher impact strength and very similar chemical resistance. It is usually preferred for industrial scale moulding due to quicker crystallising. It is widely used in electronic, electrical, communications, fibre optics and automotive industries.

ICIS pricing quotes engineering plastics in Europe.

Frequency:

Published weekly on Tuesdays.

Engineering Plastics (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Polyacetal Contract Prices

• FD NWE NATURAL GRADE quarterly (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Polybutylene terephthalate Contract Prices

• FD NWE FILLED quarterly (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FD NWE UNFILLED quarterly (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FD NWE FLAME RETARDANT quarterly (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)

General Information:

Assessment window: Assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week to close of business on Tuesdays at 1700 hours in London.

Specifications: POM prices are assessed for natural grade material. PBT is assessed for filled, unfilled and flame retardant product grades.

Timing: Loading within the current quarter.

Terms: Contractual terms negotiated between the suppliers and the buyers.

Standard cargo size: The quotes are based on truck loads of 20-25 tonnes. Cargo sizes and specifications vary according to different customers and grades. ICIS pricing reports on contract deals ranging from 1,000-200,000 tonnes per annum.

Assessment basis: Contracts are settled on a quarterly basis for both POM and PBT, and the quotes for both products reflect settlements between buyers and sellers at the beginning of the three-month period in Europe. In the report there is market commentary on both POM and PBT which includes details of all transactions reported, information on the supply/demand balance, import/export news, general sentiment regarding price direction, production information and weekly details on feedstock pricing of butanediol (BDO) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT).

 

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