Europe PE prices for CIS markets fall in January

MOSCOW (MRC)–Some European producers decreased their export polyethylene (PE) prices for shipments to the CIS markets in January, despite the rollover in the benchmark ethylene contract, according to an MRC Price report.

Price decreases stood in the €30-60/tonne range; demand for European PE shipments was low, sources said, as suppliers from the Middle East and North America also offered cargoes at competitive prices.

For low density polyethylene (LDPE), deals were discussed in the range of €1,750-1,820/tonne FCA (free carrier) CIS, down from December’s €1,800-1,880/tonne FCA.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) prices stood at €1,430-1,560/tonne FCA, down from €1,460-1,590/tonne FCA.

However, sources said Middle Eastern HDPE prices were offered at $1,480/tonne CFR (cost & freight) and lower.

North American HDPE prices stood at $1,350/tonne CFR.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.