Xylenes Methodology
Xylenes are produced, along with benzene and toluene, from a reformer after running naphtha through an ethylene cracker. Their major use is in the production of para- and ortho-xylene which are split when xylenes are run through an isomerisation unit. They are also used as a solvent in the paints industry and for other solvent uses.
Paraxylene (PX) is the largest volume isomer of the mixed xylenes. Around 98% of PX demand comes from the polyester chain via the one of its intermediates purified terephthalic acid (PTA) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). Most xylenes production ends up in the polyester chain via paraxylene.
Mixed xylenes occur as a colourless, flammable liquid or crystals, with a characteristic odour. They are insoluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents.
Mixed xylenes is a clear, sweet and flammable aromatic liquid or vapour. It is harmful or fatal if swallowed or inhaled, causing respiratory tract irritation, eye and skin irritation or an allergic skin reaction.
ICIS pricing quotes xylenes in Europe, Asia-Pacific, China and the US Gulf.
Frequency:
Xylenes Daily (Asia) report published on Mondays to Fridays
Published weekly on Fridays
BTX (China) published weekly on Fridays
Real time Price Alert Service (PAS) for solvent grade xylene delivering market news and trends throughout the day.
Xylenes (EUROPE)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Xylene Spot Prices
- FOB RDAM (USD/MT & conversion to CTS/GAL)
Xylene (ASIA-PACIFIC)
Daily Price Assessments:
Isomer Grade Xylene Spot Prices
FOB Korea (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/GAL)
- CFR N.E.ASIA (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/GAL)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Xylene Isomer Grade Spot Prices
- FOB KOREA (*) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR N.E.ASIA (*) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- FOB KOREA (+) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR N.E.ASIA (+) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
Xylene Solvent Grade Spot Prices
- FOB KOREA (*) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR CHINA (*) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR S.E.ASIA (*) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- FOB KOREA (+) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR CHINA (+) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
- CFR S.E.ASIA (+) (USD/MT & conversion to USD/GAL)
NOTE: (*) represents the price range at close of business Friday
(+) represents the price range for the week
BTX (CHINA)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Solvent Grade Xylene Spot Prices
- E. CHINA EX-TANK (*) (CNY/MT)
NOTE: (*) represents the price range at close of business Friday
Xylene (US GULF)
Weekly Price Assessments:
Xylene Contract Price (FOB)
- FOB USG (1) (USD/GAL & conversion to USD/MT)
- NOTE: (1) Contract price between a major Mixed Xylenes consumer and its suppliers
Xylene Spot Prices
- FOB BARGES (+) (USD/GAL & conversion to USD/MT)
- FOB BARGES (*) (USD/GAL & conversion to USD/MT)
NOTE: (+) represents the price range for the week
(*) represents the price range at close of business Friday
General Information:
Assessment window: Weekly 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 and Houston, and 1730 hours in Singapore and China.
Daily assessments are based on information gathered throughout the day to close of business at 1730 hours in Singapore.
Specification: Solvent xylenes are defined as product conforming to ASTM D-846 and ASTM D-843 with one or more isomer removed. Virgin xylenes refers to product with a maximum ethyl benzene content of 20%.
Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four weeks forward from the date of publication. In Asia, the assessment window is up to six weeks forward from publication date. For China, domestic market price quotes refer to cargoes loading within ten days from the date of publication.
Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date with the exception of the CFR N.E.Asia, CFR China and CFR S.E.Asia quotes which are inclusive of up to 90 days’ credit terms. For China domestic markets, payment is made at sight.
Standard cargo size: 1,000 tonnes in Europe. In Asia, solvent grade cargoes of 1,000-3,000 tonnes and isomer grade of 3,000-5,000 tonnes. In China domestic markets, spot prices are assessed for cargo sizes of 20-300 tonnes for East China. In the US, waterborne volumes of at least 10,000 bbls.
Assessment basis: Due to the volatile nature of the aromatics market, most ICIS Xylene reports offer two assessments – one through the week (+), the other at the close of business on Fridays (*). The published ranges represent a combination of last deals concluded, bids and offers, buy and sell indications and notional discussions heard by the close of business on Friday. Deals done after the Friday close will be included in the following week's report.
In the absence of deals on Friday, price indications heard from mid-week will be included in the Friday price assessment. Notional adjustments will also be made to accurately reflect the levels at which business would likely take place by the end of Friday.
The Xylenes Daily (Asia) report covers spot deals on an FOB Korea and CFR N.E.Asia basis for isomer grade xylene. The assessment takes into account deals, bids and offers and price ideas heard throughout the day.
The BTX China report covers East China ex-tank. China domestic price (solvent grade) quotes refer to ex-tank prices in East China: Zhangjiagang, and Jiangyin.
The Xylene Weekly (Asia Pacific) report quotes CFR China price (solvent grade) which covers spot deals done to East China and South China. The assessment takes into account deals, bids and offers and price ideas heard.
Most of the business reported in Europe is for solvent xylenes and is linked to the European distribution market. Occasional imports of US material for production of paraxylene would not be reflected in the quotes, although changes in US prices may impact European prices indirectly.
Notional adjustments will be made to accurately reflect the levels at which business would likely take place by the close of business on Friday. 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.
The contract price quote in the ICIS pricing US xylene report is updated on a monthly basis upon verification of full settlement. Historically, this monthly number is set by a major xylene buyer and its suppliers. Secondary contract settlements between other contractual players are mentioned in the market commentary, but not incorporated into the contract price table.
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.