August IPEX up 2% month on month on rising US Gulf and Europe prices

LONDON (ICIS)–The ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) rose by 1.95% month on month in August, tracking price increases seen in most major petrochemicals and plastics markets in the US Gulf and Europe. Prices in northeast Asia were largely stable, up by only 0.3% .

Values in the US Gulf registered the steepest increase following a jump in the price of commodities such as butadiene (BD), benzene and propylene.

All petrochemicals and plastics prices used to calculate the index in the region rose in August, with the exception of ethylene and methanol.

The European index also rose, increasing 2% month on month in August. Butadiene (BD), benzene and propylene posted the largest jump and polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene showed the only falls.

The northeast Asia index posted the most moderate rise in August, with butadiene and polyethylene leading the increase.

The Global IPEX index has risen 68% year on year.

The monthly IPEX indices 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 are 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.