AFPM ’19: US ACN to remain balanced-to-snug for 2019

SAN ANTONIO (ICIS)–The US acrylonitrile (ACN) market is expected to lean snug for the rest of 2019, market sources said on the sidelines of this year’s International Petrochemical Conference (IPC).

“Acrylonitrile will remain balanced-to-short for the balance of 2019,” said a producer.

Supply is tight amid an ongoing force majeure at INEOS Nitriles’ US Green Lake plant that began on 15 February following a fire the weekend before.

Although the company has restarted its UK Seal Sands and Dormagen, Germany, plants, both sites remain on force majeure.

In the short term, supply is expected to remain tight until at least May.

In the meantime demand is expected to steadily increase, maintaining balanced-to-snug supply through the end of the year.

Hosted by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the IPC takes place on 24-26 March in San Antonio, Texas.