Mono Propylene Glycol

Mono propylene glycol (MPG), otherwise referred to as propylene glycol (PG), is a product that is used in the manufacture of high performance unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), as well as engine coolants, antifreeze applications, food, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and paints/coatings.

 

The manufacture of plasticisers and hydraulic brake fluids consume considerable quantities of propylene glycol and it is also used in the manufacture of non-ionic detergents which are utilised not only in the petroleum, sugar refining and paper making industries, but also in the preparation of toiletries, antibiotics and liquid washing formulations.

 

Propylene glycol is an excellent solvent and finds outlets in printing inks, alkyd resins and as an extractant.

 

Propylene glycol is relatively non-toxic but is a mild irritant.

 

ICIS pricing quotes mono propylene glycol in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the USA.

 

Frequency:

Published weekly on Fridays.

 

MPG (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

MPG Spot Prices

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

Feedstock Prices

• PROPYLENE quarterly contract (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• PROPYLENE OXIDE (MISC) (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

 

MPG (Asia-Pacific)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Propylene Glycol (Industrial Grade) Bulk Spot Prices

• CFR N.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• CFR S.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• EX-TANK CHINA (CNY/MT)

Propylene Glycol (Industrial Grade) Drummed Spot Prices

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

Propylene Glycol (pharmaceutical grade) Drummed Spot Prices

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

Feedstock Prices

• PROPYLENE OXIDE KOREA quarterly contract (USD/MT)

 

MPG (USA)

Weekly Price Assessments:

MPG East of the Rockies Contract Prices

• FOB DISTRIBUT quarterly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• FOB PGI quarterly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• FOB PGUSP monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• FOB PGAF monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
• FOB EXPORT monthly (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)

Feedstock Prices

• PROPYLENE C GRADE monthly (US CTS/LB)
• PROPYLENE OXIDE FOB LIST monthly (US CTS/LB)

 

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 1800 hours in London, Singapore and Houston.

 

Specification: Minimum 99.7% purity

 

Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four-six weeks forward from the date of publication in Europe and the US, two-six weeks forward in Asia.

 

Terms: 30-60 days after Bill of Lading date.

 

Standard cargo size: In Europe, a typical full bulk truck load size is 20-25 tonnes. In Asia, typical bulk shipments are 300-1,000 tonnes. In southeast Asia, drummed material is shipped in containers where one container carries 80 drums totalling around 16 tonnes. Iso-tank deliveries are mentioned in the text, where one iso-tank is around 20 tonnes.

 

Assessment basis: The price ranges include spot transactions reported as physical deals and concluded between buyers and sellers during the previous week. Certain prices may be excluded from the range if they were negotiated in unusual circumstances or if special conditions were thought to apply. In the absence of business, the price spread can also move based on the majority of market sentiment. Price adjustments on the basis of netback assessments are avoided.

 

European assessments reflect pre-discounted technical/industrial grade values only. The price range represents weekly spot prices for mainland northwest Europe including Germany, the Benelux countries and northern France. When applicable, business concluded in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and central Europe is quoted in the body of the text. In Europe, pharmaceutical grade (USP) and Di Propylene Glycol (DPG) are discussed in the commentary only.

 

In Asia, CFR N.E. Asia numbers are prices of imports mainly into China and Taiwan, and occasionally Korea and Japan. In China, ex-tank prices represent mainly deals for imported material. CFR S.E.Asia numbers are prices of imports into Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. Drummed prices tend to be around USD100/tonnes higher than bulk prices due to drum costs. Pharmaceutical Grade: Spot prices on a CFR basis are reported for northeast Asia (USD/TONNES) and southeast Asia (USD/TONNES). Usually sold in drums, this product has relatively stable prices. US material commands top-tier pricing, followed by Japanese, Korean and European material.

 

In the US, Di Propylene Glycol (DPG) is discussed in the commentary only. Quarterly quotes are given for industrial grade and for distributors, and monthly quotes are given for pharmaceutical and antifreeze grades, and for export.

 

The weekly US MPG report focuses primarily on the East of the Rockies market. Although contract prices are normally settled on a quarterly basis, adjustments to the tables are on an as-needed basis in order to better reflect any competitive price initiatives and/or erosion of settled rates. Focus on different product grades changes in accordance with the season (i.e. antifreeze-grade product (PGAF) is the focus during the North American winter.)

 

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.

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