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Home Commodities Chemicals Plasticizers Plasticizers prices, markets & analysis

Plasticizers prices, markets & analysis

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  • Market Overview
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  • ABOUT PLASTICIZERS
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We offer short-to-long term solutions – from pricing data, news and market analysis, to supply and demand forecasts, of both phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers, ensuring you can evaluate the markets from every angle.

  • Decide the best time and price at which to make the most profitable trade
  • Monitor global and regional trade flows, including supply-demand balances
  • Understand the dynamics between various types of plasticizers
  • Look for arbitrage opportunities
  • Stay informed on breaking industry news that can move the market instantly
  • Be guided in your long-term planning and investment strategies
  • Make more informed production or commercial decisions

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Market Overview

Updated to Q4 2020

Asia

Supply for plasticizers was tight in Q4, with DOTP, DOP and DINP suppliers seeing their production hampered by a shortage in feedstock, particularly INA and 2-EH. Spot supply was also seen to be short, as the impact from the unexpected shutdown of LG Chem’s cracker in Yeosu, South Korea, trickled down to the downstream markets.

Demand for plasticizers rallied in Q4 on the back of greater buying interest ahead of the year-end festive season. Demand for DOTP, which had seen increased use in the medical sector such as for the production of medical gloves, continued to remain healthy amid a protracted recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, demand for DOP and DINP also grew in northeast Asia, largely due to a shortage in Europe and other parts of Asia.

Europe

Plasticizers supply tightened through Q4. Reduced imports and some planned and unplanned downtime at the turn of Q4 reduced stocks and it was a challenge to replenish these with demand being healthier than expected. The closure of Korea’s LG cracker in early November put further pressure on the markets and with a lack of imports seen not only from Korea, but reduced from Russia and Turkey too, DOTP ended the year very tight.

Demand gathered some momentum and was stronger than many had anticipated. This was partly due to customers looking to recover volumes lost during the first peak of the pandemic during March and April. Some felt demand was simply returning to more normal levels but was more acutely felt due to lower stocks through the supply chain. Some were also stock-piling and part of this was ahead of Brexit in anticipation of logistic woes in January.

US

US supply of plasticizers DOP, DOTP and DINP during Q4 tightened on strong demand from construction and automobile manufacturing, delayed imports and short supply of upstream 2-EH. A US producer placed its 2-EH on order control in December. Transportation constraints – truck-driver shortages as well as port and railhead congestion – also were lengthening domestic delivery lead times for some buyers.

US plasticizers demand from automobile production and construction applications, the latter of which include window forms and PVC pipe and fixtures, increased during Q4, contrary to typical year-end patterns. Much of that buying interest was attributed to pent-up demand stemming from previous spring coronavirus lockdowns, which led to the cancellation of construction projects and the temporary shutdowns of most automobile production, and from some restocking for early 2021.

 

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Updated to Q1 2021

Asia

Supply of plasticizers is expected to increase in Q1, with some producers restarting their plants from scheduled maintenance and the restart of LG Chem’s cracker in Yeosu, South Korea, Producers are also expected to increase their operating rates amid firm demand. However, tight feedstock supply is expected to limit the increase in plasticizers supply.

Demand for DOTP, DOP and DINP is expected to remain largely stable, as industrial and economic activities in the region make a slow recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic. Although likely to remain challenging, construction and automotive applications are expected pick up in Q1, even as demand for DOTP could remain healthy in the medical sector.

Europe

Supply is expected to remain tight. The greatest impact is expected to be seen in DOTP as Europe is heavily reliant on imports, but DINP and DPHP may also see some curtailment, with inventory levels somewhat depleted. DOTP and DINP imports from Korea are expected to remain severely limited in Q1, though some of the DOTP volume could be offset with more Russian material arriving in NWE.

Consumption is set to remain quite robust despite the growing number of coronavirus cases and lockdowns in Europe. However, there is still more optimism given the rollout of the vaccines and many buyers expect a strong start to 2021. Some suggest that demand could be even stronger for plasticizers if there is an improvement in availability of PVC which also remains very tight after production issues in Q4.

US

US supply of DOP, DOTP and DINP during Q1 is expected steady to tighter, particularly DOTP, which has seen an order control from one feedstock 2-EH producer. Those supply limits may continue well into Q1. No near-term improvement is anticipated in shipping times, domestic truck delays or railhead congestion for any of the plasticizers. Despite optimism about coronavirus vaccines, the pandemic is expected to continue to prompt heightened demand from the packaging sector.

US DOP, DOTP and DINP demand is expected to be steady to stronger in Q1 on momentum from construction and automobile-production markets. Demand from homebuilding is likely to continue leading construction markets in the first quarter, with commercial activity likely to gain momentum if coronavirus vaccines are successfully administered and coronavirus cases begin to diminish significantly. Broad economic uncertainty, however, and unemployment levels may keep year-on-year Q1 demand volumes either below or flat with previous norms.

How we can help

If you buy or sell plasticizers or related products, ICIS’s reports, news and market intelligence will give you the price data and analysis of price drivers that you need to make confident commercial decisions.

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Services

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Trading and production data

  • Feedstock: Prices and market updates for feedstocks naphtha, phthalic anhydride (PA), propylene, 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), paraxylene (PX), orthoxylene (OX) and isononanol (INA), as well as production capacities and market developments
  • Historical prices: Download and/or chart prices dating as far back as start of ICIS coverage
  • Weekly market outlook: Overview and outlook for the overall regional plasticizers market, including a brief commentary on the other regional markets
  • Supply and demand: Analysis of domestic and international supply and demand
  • Market updates: The latest news on plasticizer market developments and changes to plasticizer regulations and demand trends

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Plasticizers price assessments

The weekly ICIS phthalate/non-phthalate plasticizers regional pricing data covers Asia, Europe and US and offer timely and in-depth market data, including price assessments, trade activity, feedstock supply and analysis of each region’s current and upcoming export availability.

Asia:

  • China di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) CFR China), northeast Asia di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) export prices (FOB NE Asia), east Asia dioctyl phthalate (DOP) import prices (CFR East Asia)

Europe

  • Spot free-delivered (FD) northwest Europe (NWE) price assessments for DINP, dipropyl heptyl phthalate (DPHP) and DOTP
  • Commentary and ad-hoc prices for di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), dioctyl adipate (DOA) and trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM)
  • Ad-hoc coverage of prices and regional supply/demand for eastern Europe, the US, Turkey and the Asia Pacific region

US

  • Delivered (DEL) US DOP, DEL EOR DINP and DEL EOR DOTP price assessments

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Plasticizers analytics

The ICIS pricing intelligence service comes with analytics tools that take away the hassle of developing your own analysis. Quickly access data such as:

  • Price Drivers: Cross-commodity and cross-regional analysis of import/export parity, substitution trends, feedstock/downstream spreads and arbitrage
  • Live Disruptions Tracker, Impact View: Quickly assess whether the market is long or short and mitigate risks to supply availability.
  • Price Optimisation: Clear visualisation of net price differences between regions and countries
  • Margin Analytics: Comparative variable margins based on plant feedstock and location, with breakdown of key variable costs and co-product sales
  • Supply & Demand Outlooks: Quarterly supply & demand outlooks across the commodity chain.


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Industry news

ICIS News brings you breaking chemical news as it happens – including market moves, analysis, data and more. The service is reliable, authoritative and always available when you need it most.

Stay on top of plasticizers and other related commodities such as feedstock phthalic anhydride across all regions with ICIS news.

  • Market news, data and analysis
  • A global perspective from our worldwide network of reporters
  • Comprehensive coverage including emerging markets
  • Current and upcoming plants and projects
  • Regional expertise giving you superior market insight
  • Advanced customisation and email alerts
  • Access to 900,000 articles and over 10 years of news archives

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Plasticizers supply and demand data

Gain a long-term view of the market with ICIS Supply and Demand data (1978-2040)

ICIS Supply and Demand data offers end-to-end perspectives across the global plasticizers supply chain. Gain quick access to data on import and export volumes, plant capacities, production, trade flows, companies and routes. With historical data from 1978 and forecast available up to 2040, this powerful data and analytics service from ICIS helps senior management, strategists, business planners, analysts and risk managers to:

  • Identify, evaluate and optimise opportunities
  • Identify and manage financial/investment risks
  • Validate commercial and growth strategies

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Consulting service

Working closely with you to understand your strategies, challenges and ambitions, the ICIS consulting team delivers tailored advice and solutions to suit your unique requirements. With many years’ experience of guiding business leadership teams, we show you how market conditions can make a positive or negative impact on your long-term plans.

  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Strategic planning
  • Market advisory
  • Cost and value modeling

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Training and Conferences

Training: ICIS polymer training provides market players an overview of the plastics market value chain. Our team of industry experts can help you increase your knowledge of the industry and gain the insight and know-how needed to operate and trade effectively.

View our polymer training courses

Conferences: ICIS hosts regional Polyolefins conferences, bringing key industry experts to deliver a programme that addresses current industry issues.

View our conference schedule

Why Choose ICIS

Our Pricing Methodology: ICIS price assessments are based on information gathered from a wide cross-section of the market, comprising consumers, producers, traders and distributors from more than 250 reporters worldwide. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments.

Global Coverage

Our locally based experts provide in-depth regional price reports into specific chemical markets.

Trusted

Our benchmark prices have been trusted by buyers and sellers around the globe for nearly 40 years.

Relevant, Timely Information

Choose ICIS for concise information and easy-to-assess formatting, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Innovative Insights

Make better business decisions by using our powerful analytics tools to gain a 360 degree view in today’s polyolefins and plastics markets.

 

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ABOUT PLASTICIZERS

Plasticizers are chemical compounds or additives that are added to polymer material to alter the physical properties to achieve certain characteristics such as flexibility and durability. These are applied in various types of products in every industry from synthetic fabrics to plastics packaging and automotive. Plasticizers are categorized into different families falling under phthalates or non-phthalates.

Phthalic Anhydride,

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