Maleic Anhydride

Maleic anhydride (MA) is derived from butane in the US. In Europe and Asia, MA is derived from both benzene and butane. MA is used primarily as a feedstock for plasticisers, as well as the production of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) and alkyd resins for coating applications.

Accounting for more than 50 percent of consumption, the primary outlet for maleic anhydride is for the manufacture of UPR, which is used to reinforce fibreglass going into boat hulls, vehicle bodies, building panels, storage tanks or cast to form putty resins for automobile repairs.  UPR is also used as sealants. An important outlet in Asia is the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and g -butyrolactone. Other uses are in surface coatings, agrochemicals, lubricants, fumaric acid and malic acid. MA is commercially available in bulk, liquid or solid (flake) form.

 

MA is toxic and an irritant to the skin and mucous membranes.

 

ICIS pricing quotes maleic anhydride in Europe, USA and Asia-Pacific.

 

Frequency:

Published weekly on Fridays

 

Maleic Anhydride (Europe)

Weekly Price Assessments:

MA Monthly Contract Prices

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

MA Quarterly Contract Prices

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

MA Spot Prices

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

MA Feedstock Contract Prices

• BENZENE FOB NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
• BUTANE CIF NEW 3000mt+ (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/GAL)

 

Maleic Anhydride (Asia-Pacific)

Weekly Price Assessments:

MA Briquette Spot Prices

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

MA Liquid Domestic Japanese Monthly Contract Prices

• DELIVERED  (JPY/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)

 

Maleic Anhydride (USA)

Weekly Price Assessments:

MA Monthly Contract Prices

• FOB, MOLTEN (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT) .

 

General Information:

Assessment window: 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, Singapore and Houston.

 

Specification: Quotes cover product with a minimum purity of 99.8 percent.

 

Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four-six weeks forward from the date of publication. (loading time of two-four weeks, with either LC at sight or a max of 90 days).

 

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date. In Asia, LC at sight or a max of 90 days.

 

Standard cargo size: In Europe, a typical cargo size is 1,000 tonnes for bulk volumes, while a typical truck/railcar is circa 20 tonnes. In Asia, deals assessed cover 20-200 tonnes.

 

Assessment Basis: The European contract and spot price ranges for flake or liquid MA are assessed following verification from major buyers and sellers in northwest Europe. The European contract price ranges are for domestic European product only. The spot liquid range is for imported product only, typically from the US and Asia, and represents a small part of overall European consumption. European price quotations are published on a free delivered (FD) basis, incorporating discussions and confirmed deals across the region.

In Asia, MA spot quotes are based on information gathered throughout the week on transactions, bid-sell ideas from producers, traders, distributors and buyers for 20-200 tonne cargoes. US market commentary centres on demand from the UPR sector. Prices are quoted monthly. Most demand is for molten MA, but the US also uses a small amount of imported briquette material. All regional reports offer 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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