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Styrene Acrylonitrile Methodology

Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) is an optically clear resin which when compared with general-purpose polystyrene has improved toughness and rigidity, better solvent and chemical resistance, and somewhat greater heat resistance.

SAN copolymers rank among the hard engineering plastics. Its properties are influenced both by its molecular weight and by its acrylonitrile content. If the two parameters are increased simultaneously, this will raise the strength, rigidity, impact strength, heat resistance and stress cracking resistance.

SAN normally has good colour stability, but the acrylonitrile in the product tends to yellow from heat and ultraviolet light exposure. During the mid-1980s, producers made improvements in the optical clarity, heat resistance and antistatic capabilities of SAN. However, these resins are brittle and lack good impact resistance. Although SAN prices are much higher than those of polystyrene, SAN's desirable properties justify its use for certain applications.

It is used in household and sanitary applications, office articles, cosmetic packaging, transparent covers, lighters, sanitary applications and battery housings.

ICIS pricing quotes Styrene Acrylonitrile in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Frequency:

Published weekly on Tuesdays.

SAN (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

SAN Spot Prices
  • FD NWE (COMPOUNDING GRADE) (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
  • FD NWE (COMMERCIAL GRADES) (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
  • FD NWE (SPECIALTY GRADES) (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

SAN (ASIA-PACIFIC)

Weekly Price Assessments:

General Purpose SAN Spot Prices
  • CFR N.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
  • CFR CHINA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
SAN Feedstock Contract Prices
  • ACRYLONITRILE CFR N.E.ASIA Quarterly (USD/MT)
  • STYRENE CFR N.E.ASIA Monthly (USD/MT)

General Information:

Assessment window:

Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to the close of business on Tuesdays at 1800 hours in London and Singapore.

Specification:

ICIS pricing quotes SAN conforming to a melt flow index (g/10min) of 1.5-6.0.

Timing:

Parcels are delivered 15-30 days from date of publication.

Terms:

Credit terms up to 30 days.

Standard cargo size:

Typically 20-250 tonnes. Cargo sizes and specifications can vary according to different customers and grades. ICIS pricing reports on contract deals involving volumes of 1,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes per annum.

Assessment basis:

Due to the volatile nature of the styrenics market, the ICIS pricing SAN price assessments are weighted towards the week’s close. 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 Tuesdays.

Notional adjustments will be made to accurately reflect the levels at which business would probably take place by the close of business on Tuesday. Factors affecting price movements, including supply and demand situation, plant operating rates, feedstock and derivative markets, and general sentiment, will also be taken into account.

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.