Polycarbonate Methodology
Polycarbonate (PC) is a type of high specification engineering plastic with high impact resistance, suitable for moulding. Typical applications include automobile headlamps, sunroofs, side windows, CDs and DVDs, electronic casings, returnable milk bottles, large water containers, LED lighting, stadium roofing, and greenhouse and railway station panelling. Its UV resistant properties enable it to be used in optical applications. Material can be extruded or injection moulded, finding major uses in glazing and sheet form.
Polycarbonate production is very energy-intensive and its price is largely influenced by upstream benzene, phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) prices.
ICIS pricing quotes polycarbonate in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the USA.
Frequency:
Published weekly on Wednesday.
Polycarbonate (ASIA-PACIFIC)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Optical Grade Spot Prices
- CIF HONG KONG (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
- CIF TAIWAN (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
GP Moulding Grade Spot Prices
- CIF HONG KONG (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
GP Extrusion Grade Spot Prices
- CIF TAIWAN (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
Polycarbonate (EUROPE)
Weekly Price Assessments:
GP Moulding Quarterly Contract Prices
- FD NWE (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)
GP Extrusion Quarterly Contract Prices
- FD NWE (EUR/KG & conversion to US CTS/LB)
Polycarbonate (USA)
Weekly Price Assessments:
GP Moulding Spot Prices
- DEL BULK (USD/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
- DEL PACKAGE (USD/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
GP Extrusion Spot Prices
- DEL BULK (USD/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
- DEL PACKAGE (USD/LB & conversion to USD/MT)
General Information:
Assessment window: Assessments are based on information supplied by market participants up to the close of business at 1700 hours on Wednesday in Singapore, London and Houston time.
Specification: ICIS pricing quotes polycarbonate conforming to a melt flow index (g/10 min) of around 50-70 for optical grade, 8-20 for GP moulding grade and 3-8 for extrusion grade.
Timing: Parcels are delivered 15-30 days from date of publication.
Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date. In Asia, can be both cash on delivery or the stated credit terms.
Standard cargo size: In Europe and the US , a standard parcel represents a full truck load of 20-25 tonnes. In Asia-Pacific, the standard parcel size ranges from 100-500 tonnes but smaller quantities of less than 100 tonnes are also taken into account if there are changes in market conditions such as a tightening in supply or cautious sentiment resulting in smaller purchases.
Assessment Basis: In Europe, prices included in the assessment are for base-grade, clear, vanilla coloured extrusion and moulding grade polycarbonate with no additives such as flame retardants, colorants or fibre reinforcements. Buyers included in the price assessment purchase 1,000 to 10,000 tonnes of polycarbonates annually. Higher priced compound polycarbonate prices with additives are discussed in the text. Contract prices are for European material traded on a full truck (20-25 tonnes) basis. Prices for smaller volumes, such as 5-10 tonne lots, are discussed in the text. The report contains contract quotes for both general purpose (GP) moulding and GP extrusion grades.
In Asia-Pacific, due to the volatile nature of the spot PC market in the region, price assessments are weighted towards the Wednesday close of business. The published range represents 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 Wednesday.
In the USA notional adjustments will be made to accurately reflect the levels at which business would probably take place by the close of business on Wednesday. The USA domestic prices for general purpose moulding grade and general purpose extrusion grade represent delivered prices paid by consumers, brokers and distributors.
The reports take into consideration information gathered throughout the week from manufacturers, consumers, brokers, distributors and other market participants.
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.
8 January 2013