Methyl Methacrylate Methodology
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is polymerised to form PMMA (also known as plexiglass), lubricant viscosity modifiers, emulsions, dispersions and coatings.
The weatherability of PMMA can be improved by coextrusion while a copolymer of MMA and an imide monomer increases heat resistance. Methylmethacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) copolymers are used as an impact modifier for clear rigid PVC and in food and pharmaceutical packaging. MMA can partially replace styrene in unsaturated polyester resins to give better weather resistance and longer life.
Methyl methacrylate vapour is irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Over exposure can lead to headaches, drowsiness and nausea.
ICIS pricing quotes methyl methacrylate in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the USA.
Frequency:
Published weekly on Fridays
MMA (Europe)
Weekly Price Assessments:
MMA Quarterly Contract Prices
- FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
MMA Monthy Contract Prices
- FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
MMA Spot Prices
- FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
MMA Feedstocks Prices
- ACETONE FD NWE (MMA) monthly contract (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- METHANOL FOB RDAM quarterly contract (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/GAL)
MMA (Asia-Pacific)
Weekly Price Assessments:
MMA Spot Prices for cargoes of 20-300 tonnes or more
- CFR S.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
MMA Spot Prices for cargoes of up to 500 tonnes
- CFR S.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- CFR TAIWAN (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- CFR KOREA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
MMA (USA)
Weekly Price Assessments:
MMA Quarterly Contract Prices
- FD RAILCAR (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
- FD TANK TRUCK (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
MMA Monthly Contract Prices
- FD RAILCAR (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
- FD TANK TRUCK (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
MMA Feedstocks Prices
- ACETONE BARGES (MMA) Monthly Contract (US CTS/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
- METHANOL BARGE Monthly Contract (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:
ICIS pricing covers MMA with a minimum 99% purity and maximum water content of 0.2% by weight.
Timing:
Cargoes loading or delivered two-six weeks forward from the date of publication.
Terms:
30-60 days after bill of lading date.
Standard cargo size:
Asia assessments are offered for MMA for cargoes of 500 tonnes or more and for cargoes of less than 500 tonnes. In Europe, quotes are predominantly for truck loads of 20-25 tonnes. In the US, tank truck quotes are generally for 20-25 tonnes. Railcar quotes are for 35-40 tonnes.
Assessment basis:
The ICIS pricing MMA price assessments are based on information gathered throughout the week from market players comprising of producers, consumers and traders. Price assessments take into consideration buy/sell indications, firm bids and offers, notional price discussions and rumoured, reported and confirmed deals. In the event of lack of trades, the published price range represents the highest bids received and the lowest sell indications of the week.
Factors such as deep-sea arbitrage cargo movements, supply/demand balance, plant operating rates, feedstock and derivative markets, and general market sentiment, are also taken into account.
In Europe, reported contract prices are on a gross basis, for truck loads of 20-25 tonnes. The quotes are relevant to business in northwest Europe. A monthly MMA contract price quote was added in October 2011.
In the US, contract prices for railcar and tank truck MMA prices are assessed based upon delivered prices to medium-sized accounts, purchasing 5m-30m lb of MMA per year.
In Asia, domestic prices in China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan are discussed in the text. Monthly contract prices in southeast Asia are also mentioned in the text on a delivered basis.
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. Feedstock prices in the reports reflect the ICIS pricing assessment as posted in the given report for the current week.
10 July 2012