October IPEX up 4% as Asia prices climb

LONDON (ICIS)–The ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) continued to rise in October, increasing by 4.0% for the month, tracking price increases for most of the major petrochemical and plastics commodities.

The table here shows the movement in the global and regional IPEX values as petrochemicals and plastics demand generally improved and markets tightened from pandemic-induced lows.

The northeast Asia index rose sharply as butadiene (BD), methanol and ethylene prices climbed significantly higher.

All the petrochemical and plastics prices used to calculate the index in the region were higher in October, apart from benzene.

US Gulf prices were flat or higher, while lockdowns pressure was more apparent in Europe.

The monthly IPEX values remain significantly lower than a year ago despite improving market conditions in the second half of 2020.

The monthly IPEXs provide a snapshot view of the petrochemicals and plastics markets in the three major producing and consuming regions as well as globally.

The IPEX table and charts below are ‘live’ and update on a regular basis. The latest price increases are shown and values of the regional and global IPEXs..

Price changes for the commodities used to create the IPEX can be captured by users on the price table allowing comparisons to be made on a flexible monthly basis.

Likewise, IPEX values can be captured by clicking into the chart are and downloading current and historical data.

The ICIS petrochemical index tracks the movement of prices for the 12 major petrochemicals and polymers: ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, paraxylene (PX), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), styrene, polystyrene (PS), methanol and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with the regional indexes weighted by capacity. The IPEX values are related to a January 2000 base of 100. IPEX values are subject to change retrospectively as monthly contract prices are settled.