Asian paraxylene prices fell US$32.33 a ton CFR Taiwan/China and FOB Korea in the second week of April. Isomer-grade mixed xylene was up US$19 a ton FOB Korea on the week.

Paraxylene prices receded sharply on the first three days of the holiday shortened week, only to inch up later, but posted decline on the week across Asian markets. Upstream, Isomer grade mixed xylene prices strengthened but weak downstream PTA markets pressured paraxylene down.

In Europe, paraxylene markets gave back all the previous week’s gains although mixed xylene prices were up from last week and its premium over April EBOB swap stood stable. Spot paraxylene was down US$28 a ton while mixed xylene spot rose US$7.50 a ton CIF ARA on the week.

In US, spot prices reversed course, falling on lower global pricing. However, export interest ticked up. Orthoxylene saw split settlement for April contracts in an initial settlement that week. Spot paraxylene fell US$30 a ton FOB USG on the week.

Courtesy: Weekly PriceWatch Report