APLA ’17: Israel increases refinery solvents business to the Americas

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (ICIS)–Israel is increasing its participation in the refinery solvents markets in the Americas based on pricing and service, several sources said on Monday at an industry event.

Israel’s exports include aromatic and aliphatic solvents such as xylene, ortho-xylene, toluene, hexane and heptane, and also solvent naphthas, the sources said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Latin American Petrochemical Association (APLA).

The Israeli products are shipped in iso-tanks to the Americas, and also in bulk to the US, where product may be transferred to tank trucks to reach the consumer, the sources said.

The Israeli solvents are able to compete even in markets where the same products are produced, not only based on competitive product pricing, but also on advantageous freights from Israel to the Americas negotiated with shipping companies, according to the sources.

Additionally, the Israeli products are shipped promptly and can reach destinations in less than 30 days, competing on delivery and service with domestic and export spot business from the US, the sources said.

Israel’s solvents exports are projected to grow, as business is extended from current spot activity to also include contract business in the near future, the sources said.

The APLA annual meeting runs through Tuesday.