Expandable Polystyrene

Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid cellular form of polystyrene with good thermal insulation and shock absorbing properties, high compressive strength, low weight and a resistance to moisture. EPS is best divided into two grades – block and packaging. Block material is primarily used in heat and sound insulation for buildings, siding and exterior wall sheathing. Packaging material is used for various applications including disposable containers and packaging of sensitive equipment. The overall European market has a capacity of 1,254,000 tonnes/year.

EPS is produced in a suspension process by adding a blowing agent, usually pentane that causes resin to foam during moulding.

Polystyrene is not considered toxic in the solid form. However, heating polystyrene-based polymers can result in the release of styrene monomer, which is a hazardous material. Polystyrene powder can cause irritation by inhalation and skin contact.

ICIS pricing quotes expandable polystyrene in Europe, Asia-Pacific, China and North America.

Frequency:

All reports are published weekly: China on Mondays, North America on Tuesdays and Europe and Asia Pacific on Fridays.

Expandable Polystyrene (Europe):

Weekly price assessments:

EPS Packaging Material Monthly Prices

• Germany FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Netherlands FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• France FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• UK FD (GBP/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Belgium FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Italy FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

EPS Block Material Monthly Prices

• Germany FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Netherlands FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• France FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• UK FD (GBP/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Belgium FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• Italy FD (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Expandable Polystyrene (Asia-Pacific)

Weekly price assessments:

EPS Block Grade Spot Prices

• CFR N.E.Asia (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR China (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FOB Korea (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR S.E.Asia (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

EPS Packaging Grade Spot Prices

• CFR N.E.Asia (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR China (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FOB Korea (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR S.E.Asia (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

EPS feedstock prices

• STYRENE CFR N.E.Asia Monthly (USD/MT)

Expandable Polystyrene(China)

Weekly price assessments:

General(Packaging)Grade Spot Prices

·          DEL N. China (CNY/MT)

·          DEL E.China (CNY/MT)

·          DEL S.China (CNY/MT)

·          CFR China (USD/MT)

Fireproof(Block)Grade Spot Prices

·          DEL N.China (CNY/MT)

·          DEL E.China (CNY/MT)

·          DEL S.China (CNY/MT)

·          CFR China (USD/MT)

Expandable Polystyrene (North America)

Weekly price assessments:

EPS Domestic Prices

• BLOCK Grade monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• DEL MEXICO (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

EPS SHAPE Domestic Prices

• BULK monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• PACKAGE monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

Assessment window: Price assessments for the North America report are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Tuesdays at 1700 hours in Houston. In Europe and Asia-Pacific, price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Fridays at 1700 hours in London and 1730 hours in Singapore. Price assessments for the China report are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Mondays 1730 hours Shanghai time. Please note that the CFR China price assessments contained in the China report published on Mondays are based on information supplied by market participants up to the close of business on the preceding Friday at 1730 hours Shanghai time.

Specifications: Polystyrene beads are moulded to form the finished product. Quotes are provided for both packaging and block materials. In Asia, ICIS pricing quotes EPS in Asia conforming to an expansion density (g/l) of 15-30 for packaging grade and 13-33 for block flame retardant grade. In the US, two grades are normally sold – block grade containing flame retardants to comply with building codes and a standard grade (no flame retardants) used for packaging applications. Price differences between the grades are minimal in the US.

Timing: Typically up to 30 days from date of publication. In the China domestic market, cargoes are for delivery within one week.

Terms: Standard payment terms apply, within 30 days of the deal being concluded. L/C at sight to 30 days for trades in Asia. For the China domestic market, terms are on a cash basis.

Standard cargo size: In Europe, standard parcels represent truck loads of 20-25 tonnes. In Asia-Pacific, standard cargoes usually range between 50-200 tonnes. In the China domestic market typical transaction volume is between 5-30 tonnes. In North America there are two container sizes available, both of about 40,000 lbs.

Assessment basis: In Europe, assessments are based on prices negotiated on a monthly basis, free delivered into the relevant European region. Price quotes are given for both packaging and block material. Prices are given for Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Italy (in euros) and for the United Kingdom (in GBP). Information about the eastern Europe market is also provided. Figures typically represent truck loads of between 20-25 tonnes.

For North America, assessments are based on spot transactions heard representing sales of material that will be delivered no later than 30 days after publication date.

Due to the volatile nature of the Asian EPS spot market, the ICIS pricing Asia-Pacific and China expandable polystyrene price assessments are weighted towards the week’s close.

In China, price assessments for domestic trades are based on standard transactions in the market, with a cargo size between 5-30 tonnes on a cash basis.

Prices are given for Beijing, Tianjin, Xinji, Cangzhou, and Hengshui in north China, Shanghai, Jiangyin, Nanjing and Ningbo in east China, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Zhongshan in south China. There is a usual price gap of about CNY100-200/tonne between different producers. Small-size producers often offer CNY100-200/tonne lower than large-size manufacturers.

The published ranges represent a combination of the following price indications: the last deals concluded, bids and offers, buy and sell indications and notional discussions heard by the close of business on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays, depending on region.

Notional adjustments will be made to accurately reflect the levels at which business would probably take place by the close of business each week. Factors affecting price movements, including supply and demand situation, plant operating rates, feedstock and derivative markets, and general sentiment, will also be taken into account.

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 upstream and downstream market developments and general market intelligence.