Benzene supply is likely to remain tight in Asia, driven in part by continuing strong demand for benzene derivatives such as styrene monomer (SM). Overall global demand for benzene is...
market prices
Needle Coke Prices Continue Upward Trend in Asia
The Asian market is witnessing continued high prices for needle coke. This is because, in addition to inquiries for use in lithium-ion secondary battery anode material, demand has been increasing...
Acetic Acid Prices Hit Nine-Year High off Shortages in China
The price of acetic acid has reached its highest point in around nine years, with market prices in Asia having risen by approximately 30 percent from mid-December to mid-January. Currently,...
MEK Price Remains High in Asian Market
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) continues to sit at a high price point in the Asian market, where current prices for the chemical are around $1,600–$1,700 per ton. This figure has...
Naphtha Prices Shift Upward as Crude Oil Market Reverses
The tide continues to change for the pricing of naphtha, a raw material for petrochemicals that has been strongly influenced of late by a historic depreciation of crude oil. The...
Benchmark Price of Japanese Naphtha Rises for First Time in Three Quarters
Japan’s benchmark price for naphtha has shifted to an increase for the first time in three quarters, averaging 44,600 yen ($408) per kiloliter across the 2017 October–December period. This marks...
Asian Naphtha Prices Continue to Climb
The naphtha market in Asia has risen yet another level. Impacted by the elevated cost of crude oil, the price of naphtha passed $500 per ton in September of last...
Bisphenol A Prices Escalate in Asia
The market price for bisphenol A (BPA) is rising in Asia. The price of BPA raw material benzene has been on the rise due to a delay in new plant...
Propylene Prices Continue to Run High With Ongoing Demand for Steady Supply
Propylene is expected to maintain a high price point in the Asian market for some time to come. The organic compound is trading at over $950 per ton at the...
Japanese Naphtha Sees Low Base Price in July–September
Japanese naphtha recently saw a continued drop in value, with the benchmark price of domestic naphtha at 36,100 yen ($316.46) per kiloliter for the July–September period. This is a reduction...
Acetic Acid Prices in Asia Reach Three-Year High Point
Asian market prices of acetic acid have reached a high level not seen in three years. Beginning in June and staying strong through July, prices jumped due to facility troubles...
Ethylene Plant Utilization Rates Surpass 95% in September
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s (METI) Material Industries Division announced on Oct. 16 that ethylene production for September was 534,400 tons, a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent. Ethylene...
Lithium Carbonate Market Expected to Remain Strong
The market for lithium carbonate is increasingly robust, with the per-kilogram price rising by $3 to $4 in just a few months to the current $24. Demand for lithium carbonate...
Reopening of Chinese Plants Could Halt Rising Acrylonitrile Prices in Asia
The price of acrylonitrile (AN) is continuing to rise sharply in the Asian market. Current spot prices, including cost and freight, sit at around $1,900 per ton in Far East...
PVC Export Prices Continue to Rise in Asia
Export prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in Asia are continuing their upward trend. In India, the end of monsoon season saw the country’s PVC demand increase for October, and rising...
Carbon Black Prices Spike as Coal-Derived Feedstock Supplies Tighten in China
Global carbon black prices are trending upward. In China, the world’s largest supplier of the material, standard grades are currently priced around 7,000 yuan ($1,054) per ton. This marks an...
Magnesia Price Doubles Despite China Dropping Export Limits
The market price of magnesia, also known as magnesium oxide, has doubled since the start of 2017. While the cost of the material and related goods was falling drastically early...
Sodium Nitrite Prices Spike Following Clampdown on Chinese Factories
The price of sodium nitrite in the global market is trending upward. Currently priced at $700 per ton, including cost and freight, the compound is trending at the high price...
Ethylene Production Favorable in August, Up 10.9% From Last Year
According to data compiled by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s (METI) Material Industries Division, ethylene production for August totaled at 562,000 tons for a year-on-year increase of 10.9...
Styrene Monomer Prices Soar in Asia
Styrene monomer (SM) continues to appreciate in the Asian market, approaching the high price levels of six months ago. The price increase is thought to be caused by a shrinking...
