IPEX: April global update

Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez

11-May-2021

LONDON (ICIS)–The ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) extended gains slightly in April, rising 1.8% for the month, tracking price increases seen across most of the major petrochemical and plastics commodities, not least in Europe and the US.

The tables show the movement in the global and regional IPEX values as petrochemicals and plastics demand generally improved in Europe and America and markets tightened on the back of the lingering production disruptions caused by the severe storm in February in the US.

Northwest Europe prices posted the sharpest increase because of steep rises in commodities such as styrene, benzene and polystyrene.

All the petrochemicals and plastics prices used to calculate the index in Europe went up in April, with the exception of paraxylene (PX).

The US Gulf index posted the second largest hike, with butadiene, PX and styrene leading the rise. Propylene and polypropylene were the only petrochemicals falling in this region.

The northeast Asian index showed the gloomiest figures, with most values dropping month on month. Only benzene, styrene and PVC posted increases in pricing.

The Global IPEX index soared by 97% year on year.

The monthly IPEXs provide a snapshot 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 and downloading current and historical data using the ‘download’ button and selecting an option.

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.

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