PODCAST: Momentum in European PX and MEG mounts, influencing mood in PET market

LONDON (ICIS)–Changing dynamics in monoethylene glycol (MEG) and paraxylene (PX) are impacting sentiment in downstream polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Caroline Murray, editor for PET, asks MEG editor Melissa Hurley and PX editor Nick Cleeve for an update.

PET resins can be broadly classified into bottle, fibre or film grade, named according to the downstream applications. Bottle grade resin is the most commonly traded form of PET resin and it is used in bottle and container packaging through blow moulding and thermoforming..

MEG is mainly used in the production of polyester fibres, resins and films (around 80% of global consumption), followed by use in PET resin. It is also used as automotive antifreeze.

PX is predominantly used as a feedstock to produce purified terephthalic acid (PTA). Other outlets include dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), herbicides and solvents. Both PTA and DMT are used to make PET.