Independent Commodity Intelligence Services logo
  • Commodities

    Chemicals

    • Polyethylene
    • Polypropylene
    • Propylene
    • Ethylene
    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
    • Recycled PET
    • Methanol
    • Base Oils
    • View More

    Energy

    • Gas
    • LNG
    • Crude Oil
    • Carbon
    • Power
    • Ethanol
    • View More

    Fertilizers

    • Sulphur
    • Sulphuric acid
    • View More

    Commodities

    • View all Chemical commodities
    • View all Energy commodities
    • View all Fertilizers commodities
    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
  • Solutions

    Services

    • ICIS Digital
    • Pricing Intelligence
    • News Service
    • Analytics
    • Recycling & Sustainability
    • Training Courses
    • Conferences

    Bespoke Services

    • Consulting
    • Third Party Platforms

    Your Sector

    • Fast moving consumer goods
    • Plastics Packaging
    • Plastics OEM
    • Paints, coatings and adhesives
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Rubber products
    • Automotive
    • Financials

    Enquire about ICIS Solutions

    ICIS Reports Glossary

    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
  • Insights

    View All Resources

    • Latest News
    • Blogs
    • ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX)
    • Chemical Webinars
    • Energy Webinars
    • Chemical Podcasts
    • Energy Podcasts

    Industry updates

    • Covid-19 & the Chemicals Market
    • Coronavirus Impact on Energy Markets
    • Personal Care & Hygiene Markets
    • Industry Updates Upcoming Webinars
    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
  • Events

    Events

    • Conferences
    • Training Courses
    • Chemical Webinars & Forums
    • Energy Webinars & Forums
    • Innovation Awards
    • The Chemists’ Club Kavaler Award 2020
    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
  • ABOUT

    About ICIS

    • Contact Us
    • Compliance & Methodology
    • Work for ICIS

    Press Releases

    • ICIS has acquired Chemical Data (CDI)
    • ICIS in the News
    • ICIS at Events

     

    Customer Success Stories

    • Testimonials
    • Enhancing supplier negotiations
    • Keeping up with market dynamics
    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
  • Customer login

    Customer Login

    Supply & Demand Database

    ICIS.com/app

    Contact Client Success on clientsuccess@icis.com
    Contact sales
    Speak to ICIS
Home Commodities Chemicals Propylene Propylene prices, markets & analysis

Propylene prices, markets & analysis

Speak to ICIS
Jump to section
  • Market Overview
  • How we can help
  • Services
  • Methodology
  • About Propylene
  • News

ICIS provides reliable and trustworthy weekly price assessments for propylene in Asia, China, Europe and the US. Daily market intelligence is also available for coverage of the Asian markets. Depending on the region, quotations are for spot and contract. Our locally-based expert reporters can provide those involved with propylene or related markets with up-to-date and unbiased intelligence allowing this essential tool to be used in decision-making processes.

Market commentary gives news and analysis on day to day activity, production updates, upstream and downstream movements, import and export activity and any other key factors influencing prices.

Market Overview

Updated to Q4 2020

Asia

Supply was generally tight in northeast Asia in Q4, with several unplanned outages limiting spot cargoes available for export. Notably, South Korea’s LG Chem shut down its cracker in Yeosu in early November following a fire at the main control room, while Japan’s ENEOS Corp shut its cracker in Kawasaki in early December to resolve a technical glitch. The tight supply situation was eased by the return of Lotte Chemical’s cracker in Daesan, South Korea, following an extended outage.

Demand for imports in China dipped in Q4, as anticipation of new capacities weighed on buying sentiment. In particular, buying interest wavered on news that Fujian Meide Petrochemical was on track to start up its propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit during the quarter. In addition, sentiment was affected by weakness in the downstream PP market. However, the decline was offset by increased demand in South Korea due to unplanned plant outages and delays in the restart of some plants from planned turnarounds.

Europe

Propylene supply tightened significantly during Q4, bucking the usual seasonal trend. A succession of cracker issues alongside planned and longer-running outages cut availability across Europe. In addition, the onset of fresh lockdowns led to cutbacks from refineries. Producers had intentionally short-planned given the usual low inventory expectations for the year-end. The tightness saw spot prices at a premium to the prevailing contract price for the first time in three years.

Demand was much stronger than anticipated for the year-end period. Inventories across all derivative chains were low and unable to accommodate the better- than-expected demand from lower down the chain. Exporters continued to be boosted by their competitive cost position relative to the US and Asia. Some derivative production was limited by the lack of sufficient propylene feedstock. Contractual offtake was maximised.

US

While production recovered slightly from Q3 on cracker restarts, sub-80% refinery utilisation continued to tighten propylene supply in Q4. While cracker operating rates were higher, PDH outages curbed production. Inventories fell to their lowest levels in over two decades as supply struggled to meet demand.

Demand for propylene in Q4 grew faster than the broader economy as downstream PP producers sought to build back inventory following a unexpectedly unproductive Q3. Demand from packaging and fibre applications has been strong since the start of the pandemic, while demand for durable goods such as automotive and appliances has been picking up since the beginning of Q3.

How we can help

Propylene news and market information products from ICIS

We offer the following regional Propylene analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Propylene marketplace.

Price reporting
Price Reporting – More information about the price reports we publish on Propylene

Independent price assessments and market coverage by region

  • Asia
  • China
  • Europe
  • US

Price history
Price History – More information about the historical price data we publish on Propylene

Track historical price data

  • Asia
  • China
  • Europe
  • US

News & analysis
News & Analysis – News & market analysis specifically relating to Propylene

Breaking news of latest developments affecting the markets. Insight and analysis of factors driving prices.

Find out more about our services

Services

Find out more about our services

Pricing Intelligence

Pricing information

Regional price assessments, published daily or weekly, enabling you to keep track of trading prices, understand price drivers/fluctuations and set a benchmark for contract price settl ements. ICIS offers reports on over 180 commodities across the global petrochemical, energy and fertilizer markets. Information covered in our price reports includes:

  • Spot and contract price assessments
  • Market commentary on trends and developments
  • Transactions reported and confirmed
  • Plant and production news

Information is accessed online, via the ICIS dashboard service and is configurable to suit your preferences.

  • Find out more about ICIS pricing reports >>

Price forecast services

Produced by the ICIS Consulting team, these reports give a robust rolling 12-month price forecast, trade balances and in-depth analysis into where markets are heading – providing a valuable tool to support your short- to medium-term plans.

  • Find out more about ICIS chemicals forecast reports >>

  • Find out more about ICIS fertilizers forecast reports >>

Dashboard – Easy access to ICIS pricing data

ICIS pricing intelligence is delivered to you online via the ICIS dashboard. Here you can view your reports and also access other useful services including related news, analysis, historical data and market alerts.

ICIS dashboard also makes it easy for you to create pricing charts, download price history and export data to create tailored analytical models.

  • Find more about ICIS dashboard >>
  • Find out more about new ICIS data delivery options: Excel Plug-In & API >>

Margin reports

ICIS weekly margin reports deliver the detail you need to understand how production costs and prices are affecting margins, enabling you to judge the likely impact on your business and optimise your upstream and downstream business decisions.

Find out more about ICIS margin reports >>

Supply and Demand Window on ICIS Dashboard

The Supply and Demand Window on the ICIS Dashboard provides a snapshot view of historical and forecast information for supply and demand, production capacity and trade flows – a key tool to help safeguard future investments within the chemicals market.

Find out more about the ICIS Supply and Demand Window

Industry News

News service

24-hour global coverage of breaking news in the petrochemical industry, including updates on production, shutdowns and key transacted deals, keeping you informed of market developments as they happen. The ICIS news service allows you to customise the market alerts delivered to your email inbox, providing the business-critical information you need straightaway.

  • Find out more about ICIS news service >>

ICIS Chemical Business magazine

If you want to keep updated on the factors driving price movements in the global chemical markets, ICIS Chemical Business provides a summary of the information you need to support your business decisions. Every week, our global team of experts digests and summarises the key issues and their potential impact on the market – all in one magazine.
  • Find out more about ICB magazine >>

Analytics

Supply & Demand Data

supply-demand-brochure_150px

An expert view of supply and demand comprising four fully-reconciled databases, giving you access to extensive data for more than 100 markets. Information is included on global and regional trade flows, production, capacity and sources of demand in the short-, medium- and long-term. Data can be downloaded, customised and queried to support your planning requirements and your strategic decisions.

  • Find out more about the ICIS supply and demand database >>

Training and Conferences

Training courses

ICIS provides specialist training courses across the global petrochemicals, base oils and fertilizers industries. Our training 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.

training

  • Find out more about ICIS training courses >>

Conferences

ICIS produces a series of highly informative and timely conferences. Extensive research is carried out to ensure that each programme delivers the information you need and addresses current industry issues. We source speakers who have the appropriate expertise and experience to deliver excellent quality papers.

experts

  • Find out more about ICIS conferences >>

Consulting

Global markets

Working closely with you to understand your strategies, challenges and ambitions, the ICIS consulting team deliver 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.

world_map

  • Find out more about ICIS consulting services >>

China markets

ICIS expert consultants can provide your organisation with the insight, intelligence and data needed to build and grow your business in China. We can help you to gain a clear view on the short and long-term supply and demand picture in the chemicals, energy, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals and paper and pulp markets in China.

world-map-china

  • Find out more about ICIS consulting expertise in China >>

Methodology

General Propylene Methodology Consultation read more >

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 world-wide. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments.

Our in-depth market knowledge drives our specialist focus, as we recognise the importance of individual market dynamics and not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Over 25 years of reporting on key chemicals markets, including Propylene, has brought global recognition of our methodology as being unbiased, authoritative and rigorous in preserving our editorial integrity. Our global network of reporters in Houston, London, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Perth and Moscow ensures unrivalled coverage of established and emerging markets.

Propylene Methodology

Propylene is a colourless, highly flammable gas. It is produced by several routes, the most common of which is as a co-product of ethylene production from steam crackers.

Read More

About Propylene

Propylene is a colourless, flammable gas that burns with yellow, sooty flames. It is a dangerous fire risk because it is highly flammable and explosive when mixed with air or oxygen.

The dominant outlet for propylene is polypropylene (PP). Propylene is also used to produce acrylonitrile (ACN), propylene oxide (PO), a number of alcohols, cumene and acrylic acid.

The two main sources of propylene are as a byproduct from the steam cracking of liquid feedstocks such as naphtha as well as LPGs, and from off-gases produced in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units in refineries. The remainder of propylene is produced using on-purpose technologies such as propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and metathesis.

Propylene is highly flammable and needs to be stored in pressurised or refrigerated tanks.

Receive free market updates

News

TOPIC PAGE: Coronavirus, oil price direction – impact on chemicals
Fri, 05 Mar 2021 10:00

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced that the country has set a GDP growth target of more than 6% for 2021. Li was speaking at the National People's Congress (NPC), China's annual parliamentary...

Read
Price increase nominations introduced in US IPA market
Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:40

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Three separate isopropanol (IPA) price increase nominations have emerged  in the first half of March 2021 according to market participants. Company Product Nominated Increase...

Read
US IPA prices rise as supply tightens following weather-related Texas shutdowns
Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:20

HOUSTON (ICIS)--US isopropanol (IPA) prices rose last week as the market reacted to tightening supply in the aftermath of severe weather and power outages in the Gulf region....

Read
US refinery utilisation plummets to record low due to February's winter storm
Wed, 03 Mar 2021 20:27

HOUSTON (ICIS)--US refinery utilisation has sunk to a record low due to outages forced by the winter storm that hit the US Gulf Coast in mid-February. US refinery rates in the week ended 26 February...

Read
Independent Commodity Intelligence Services logo
  • ABOUT
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Compliance
  • Work for ICIS
  • ICIS Reports Glossary
  • SERVICES
  • Market Intelligence
  • Analytics
  • Specialist services
  • ICIS Insight
  • USEFUL LINKS
  • Free market updates
  • Blogs
  • Students
  • Find your commodity
  • ICIS Publishing Schedule
  • Press Releases
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Notice (California)

ICIS is part of the LexisNexis® Risk Solutions Group portfolio of brands.

Copyright © 2021 LexisNexis Risk Solutions Group

RELX Logo
We use cookies to improve the performance of our site, to analyse the traffic to our site, and to personalise your experience of the site. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please find more information on the cookies used on our site here