Asian caprolactum markers, SE and FE, were flat in the first week of January. In China, spot offers for liquid goods moved up while solid goods were stable on the week.
Caprolactum markers in Asia were flat on the week while prices inched up in China on the back of moderate demand amid tight supply and surging benzene cost. In China, liquid caprolactum offers in spot market moved up while mainstream values for solid goods edged down. Offers for East European goods were firm.
Benzene prices soared across regions in December but showed moderation later amid weaker demand in China. In US, spot benzene moved up to 16-month highs due to rising Asian numbers, a strong derivative styrene market and low benzene fixtures to the US. In Europe, benzene spot moved up during the month. Asian marker, FOB Korea surged 18% in December and declined 5.9% YoY. US spot prices rose 16.7% while it fell 7.3% YoY as compared to previous year’s average. European spot was up 22.6% on the month while it fell 3.5% YoY.
Asian spot benzene spiked US$108-120 a ton FOB Korea and CFR Taiwan in the second week of December. The CFR India was up US$120 a ton on the week. Benzene prices gave back a significant part of its previous week’s gains as buyers were resistant to such sharp hikes. Sellers in Asia were unlikely to compromise on prices until given the price uptrend in crude oil and feedstock was established.
Asian caprolactum prices jumped US$150 a ton SE and FE markers in the second week of December. In China, spot offers for liquid goods surged US$485 a ton on the week.
Sinopec hiked its December contract nomination while Fibrant raised its nomination for December which was up US$195 a ton from last week.
Asian caprolactum prices surged US$190 a ton SE and FE markers in the first week of December. In China, spot offers for liquid goods swelled US$485 a ton during the week.
Caprolactum prices swelled to 2 year high given healthy downstream demand, recovering raw materials and tight supply. In China, liquid and solid good offers jumped 13 per cent week on week in spot market.
In contract, Sinopec and Fibrant raised their nomination for December taking cue from the jumping spot values. Downstream, run rates at polymerization and yarn makers were running at 70% with low inventory.
Asian caprolactum prices were up US$10 a ton SE and FE in the last week of November. In China, spot offers for liquid goods surged US$100 a ton while solid good offers were stable on the week.
Caprolactum prices remained steady to firm amid tight availability in Asian markets. Producers hiked offers for liquid goods in East China. Mainstream values for East European goods were also firm.
Asian caprolactum prices gained US$30-50 a ton SE and FE in the fourth week of November. In China, spot offers for liquid goods jumped to US$80 a ton while solid good offers were stable on the week.
Sinopec settled its November contract which was down US$10 a ton from nomination for liquid goods while Fibrant raised its November nomination which was up US$30 a ton from last week for liquid goods, taking cue from spot numbers.
In China, spot offers for liquid goods jumped US$140 a ton in the third week of November while solid good offers surged US$110 a ton on the week. Asian caprolactum prices gained US$20-30 a ton SE and FE while Japanese goods were flat on the week.
Caprolactum prices marched higher given healthy downstream demand and recovering raw materials benzene against slightly increased supply. In China, spot offers for liquid and solid goods were raised sharply.
Asian caprolactum prices gained US$20 a ton SE and FE in the second week of November while Japanese goods were flat on the week. In China, spot offers for liquid goods were up US$75 a ton while solid good offers were up US$35 a ton.
Caprolactum prices marched higher given increased demand, recovering raw materials and shrinking supply as producers in China cut run rate to 85.5% this week. Liquid caprolactum offers in spot market were up US$75 on the week while mainstream price for solid goods gained US$35 a ton.
Asian caprolactum prices fell US$10 a ton CFR China and South East Asia in the first week of November. In China, spot offers were down during the week. East European goods were stable on the week.
Caprolactum values retreated slightly as supply increased, although demand was better and raw material range bound. Downstream converters and caprolactum makers ramp up run rate, thus balancing fundamentals. Run rates of polymerization units were up and inventory level down. Run rates at downstream yarn makers were also up, but with inventory were at 25‐30 days’ worth.
