Engineering Plastics Methodology
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 and Asia.
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)
Polyacetal (ASIA)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Spot Prices
- FOB NE Asia (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- CIF China quarterly (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
Polybutylene Terephthalate (ASIA)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Spot Prices
- CIF NE Asia (USD/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- CIF India (USD/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 and Singapore.
Specifications:
POM prices are assessed for natural grade material, mainly of standard melt flow 9g/10min. In Europe, PBT is assessed for filled, unfilled and flame retardant product grades. PBT is assessed for the natural, basic grade in Asia
Timing:
Loading within the current quarter for Europe, and arriving in the current month for Asia.
Terms:
Contractual terms negotiated between the suppliers and the buyers. In Asia, it could both be in cash or in the stated credit terms.
Standard cargo size:
The quotes are based on truck loads of around 16 tonnes for POM and around 18 tonnes for PBT, both in 20 feet container lot sizes in Asia and on truck loads of 20-25 tonnes in Europe. 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. Asia spot cargoes are usually settled on a monthly/quarterly basis.
China prices include cargoes delivered to Hong Kong.
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).
2 August 2012