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Olefin Prices Take a Breather

Midsummer brought a sudden pause in price escalation—at least for polyolefins—after a storm of increases announced in June.

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Midsummer brought a sudden pause in price escalation—at least for polyolefins—after a storm of increases announced in June. Thermoset prices were still on the march, however, as were those of some other resins.

 

PE prices flat

After moving up 3¢ to 6¢/lb in June, polyethylene prices remained flat last month. The 7¢/lb increase scheduled for July 1 appears to be on hold, with some suppliers pushing it back to August and others rumored to be splitting it for partial implementation in August and September. Meanwhile, the London Metal Exchange (LME) August short-term futures contract for butene LLDPE for blown film (55.5¢/lb) is down from July’s 56.2¢.

Contributing factors: Based on their current sup ply/demand assessment, suppliers anticipate that they will be able to implement their 7¢/lb increase, even if it is done in increments. Overall demand is currently balanced, though some markets are stronger than others—particularly HDPE blow molding, profiles, and film. Suppliers’ plant operating rates continue at above 90%. June ethylene monomer contract prices moved up only 1.5¢, to 47¢/lb, and July saw much lower spot prices for the first time in a long time.

 

PP prices stable

Polypropylene prices were flat or down as much as 1.5¢/lb in July after having risen an average of 7¢ in the two previous months. Suppliers’ 4¢ to 5¢/lb price hikes announced for July 1 did not appear to be widely implemented at press time. LME’s August short-term futures contract for g-p injection-grade homopolymer moved up a bit to 55.1¢ from June’s 54.8¢/lb.

Contributing factors: Discounts were available last month from some suppliers and brokers, according to resin purchasing consultant Resin Technology Inc., Fort Worth, Texas. This followed two successive price hikes that totaled 9¢/lb but varied in actual implementation, with smaller buyers at the higher end and larger buyers at the lower end. Although June propylene monomer prices moved up 3¢ to 52¢/lb, July contract prices were expected to drop.

 

Thermosets, styrenics & nylons up

In the first week of July, makers of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and gel coats announced increases to take effect before the end of that month. AOC, CCP, Interplastic, and Reichhold all lifted tabs by 5¢/lb.

Hexion Specialty Chemicals joined Dow in hiking epoxies on July 1 by 6¢ to 10¢/lb. Meanwhile, Dow announced another 6¢/lb epoxy increase for Aug. 1.

BASF added another 4¢/lb to Styrolux and Styroclear SBC resins as of Aug. 1. They already went up 4¢ in June.
And Arkema raised its Rilsan and Orgalloy specialty nylons by 4% to 8% on July 1.

 

Phthalo Blue & Green Prices Rise

Sun Chemical Performance Pigments, Cincinnati, raised prices of copper phthalocyanine blue pigments 40¢/lb on July 10, while phthalo greens went up 25¢. Sun noted that copper metal prices were up 60% so far this year, while phthalic anhydride costs 20% more.

 

New European Firm to Make SMA Copolymer

Polyscope Polymers BV, Geleen, Netherlands, is a new company formed to make styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers at a plant where SMA was formerly made by DSM. It plans to start production later this year. Polyscope says demand for SMA is growing at European car makers like Volkswagen/Audi, GM/Opel, and Ford for interior components such as instrument-panel substrates. Up to now, the major source of SMA in the U.S. and Europe has been Nova, producer of Dylark SMA. Polyscope: +31 475 34 62 62 • www.polyscope.nl

 

Solutia to Add Nylon Capacity

Solutia Inc., St. Louis, is adding capacity for nylon 66 resins and compounds at Pensacola, Fla. The additions are intended to respond to increased worldwide demand, particular in China. Solutia will boost production of Vydyne and Ascend products by 70 million lb/yr starting this quarter and continuing into 2008. 

 

 

Market Prices Effective Mid-July A
 
 RESIN GRADEb¢/LB¢/CU INc 

 ABS 

  

  
 
 MED IMPACT   80 - 90     3.0 - 3.4    
 HI IMPACT   85 - 125     3.2 - 4.7    
 X-HI IMPACT   95 - 140     3.6 - 5.3    
 HI HEAT   85 - 110     3.8    
 PIPE   85 - 110     3.2 - 4.1    
 SHEET   90 - 110     3.4 - 4.2    
 TRANSPARENT   125 - 165     4.9 - 6.4    
 FITTINGS   85 - 115     3.2 - 4.3    
 PLATING   95 - 105     3.5 - 3.9    
 FLAME RET   120 - 140     4.6 - 5.9    
 STRUCT FM   83 - 97     3.6 - 4.3    
 10% GLASS   125 - 140     5.0 - 5.6    
 30% GLASS   116 - 136     5.3 - 6.3    
 ABS/PC ALLOY   145 - 180     5.5 - 6.8    
 ABS/PVC ALLOY   130 - 135     5.8 - 6.1    
 ABS/NYLON ALLOY   190     7.3    


 ACETAL 

  

  
 
 HOMOPOL   148 - 165     7.5 - 8.4    
 20% GLASS   168 - 228     8.5 - 11.5    
 COPOLYMER   141 - 153     7.1 - 7.7    
 25% GLASS   168 - 240     8.5 - 12    


 ACRYLIC 

  

  
 
 G-P   117     5.0    
 IMPACT   192     8.2    


 ACRYLONITRILE COPOL 

  

  
 
 EXTRUSION   101 - 116     4.0 - 4.6    
 INJECTION   120 - 135     4.8 - 5.4    


 ALKYD 

65 - 74   

4.9 - 5.5   
 


 CELLULOSICS 

  

  
 
 ACETATE   187     8.6    
 CAB   189     8.2    
 CAP   189     8.2    


 DAP (G-P) 

251 - 497   

16.7 - 34.7   
 


 EPOXY 

  

  
 
 G-P RESIN   116 - 126     NAd    
 COMPOUNDS          
 C/B/Te   123 - 166     9.4 - 12.9    
 R/C/Df   208 - 271     15.3 - 20.1    
 SEMICONDUCTOR          
 NOVOLAC   193 - 228     13.1 - 15.9    
 ANHYDRIDE   188 - 268     13.9 - 19.2    


 EVA 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   46 - 52     1.5 - 1.7    
 FILM EXTRU   42 - 49     1.4 - 1.6    


 EVOH 

265   

11.3   
 


 FLUORO-POLYMER 

  

  
 
 CTFE   2500 - 5500    193 - 424    
 ECTFE   1470 - 1680    93.1 - 107.7   
 ETFE   1155 - 1680    70.7 - 102.8   
 FEP   971 - 1470     74.8 - 113.2   
 PFA   1785 - 2520    134.9 - 190.5    
 PTFE   450 - 900     34.8 - 69.7    
 PVDF   680 - 900     43.3 - 57.3    


 IONOMER 

  

  
 
 PACKAGING   127 - 166     4.3 - 6.0    
 INDUSTRIAL   150 - 244     5.0 - 8.3    


 LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS 

  

  
 
 INJECTION MIN FILLED   690 - 1035     44.2 - 72.1    
 GLASS FILLED   695 - 895     40 - 52    
 CARBON FILLED   1700 - 2000    83.2 - 138.6   
 UNFILLED   1000 - 1200    58 - 70    
 EXTRUSION UNFILLED   1200 - 2200    60.5 - 110.9   


 MELAMINE COMPOUND 

90 - 94   

5.5 - 5.6   
 


 MELAMINE/PHENOLIC COMPOUND 

75 - 83   

4.5 - 5.0   
 


 NYLON 

  

  
 
 TYPE 6   139 - 159     5.7 - 6.5    
 MIN FILLED   131 - 144     5.4 - 5.9    
 30% GLASS   148 - 173     6.0 - 7.0    
 TYPE 66   153 - 168     6.3 - 6.9    
 MIN FILLED   151 - 159     6.2 - 6.5    
 30% GLASS   142 - 192     5.8 - 7.9    
 TYPE 69   250 - 276     9.7 - 10.7    
 TYPE 6/10   286 - 313     12.4 - 13.6    
 TYPE 612   400     15.3    
 30% GLASS   309 - 311     14.7    
 40% GLASS   309     14.7    
 TYPE 46   295     12.6    
 TYPE 11   329 - 341     13.6 - 14.1    
 30% GLASS   331 - 350     15.0 - 15.8    
 40% GLASS   347 - 360     17.7 - 18.5    
 TYPE 12   318 - 341     12.1 - 13.0    
 30% GLASS   327 - 350     14.7 - 15.8    
 50% GLASS   299 - 340     15.6 - 17.8    
 TRANSPARENT AMORPHOUS   247 - 360     10.3 - 15.0    


 PHENOLIC MOLD COMP 

75   

3.8   
 
 REINFORCED GRADES   105 - 268     6.1 - 16    


 POLYAMIDE-IMIDEg 

  

  
 
 UNFILLED   2750     148.5    
 30% GLASS   2500     135    
 30% CARBON FIB.   3500     185    


 POLYARYLATE 

200 - 280   

8.8 - 12.3   
 


 POLYARYL SULFONE 

440   

21.8   
 


 POLYBUTYLENE 

  

  
 
 G-P   94 - 96     3.1    
 FILM   88 - 91     2.9    
 PIPE          
 COLD WATER   116 - 120     3.9 - 4.0    
 HOT WATER   162 - 166     5.5 - 5.6    


 POLYCARBONATE 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   138 - 165     5.9 - 7.0    
 20% GLASS   177 - 190     7.6 - 8.2    
 30% GLASS   178 - 217     7.6 - 9.3    
 EXTRUSION   145 - 180     6.3 - 7.8    
 BLOW MOLD   155 - 190     6.7 - 8.2    
 STRUCT FOAM   149 - 181     6.4 - 7.8    
 20% GLASS   235 - 255     10.1 - 11.0    
 FR   166 - 197     7.1 - 8.5    
 CD   140 - 200     6.0 - 8.6    


 POLYESTER (TP) PBT TYPE 

  

  
 
 UNFILLED   143 - 150     6.9    
 HI-IMP   154 - 165     7.6    
 30% GLASS, FR   185 - 207     11.9    
 STRUCT FOAM   159 - 165     NAd    


 PET 

  

  
 
 BOTTLE (RAILCAR)   86 - 91     4.3 - 4.6    
 MOD PET          
 30% GLASS   132 - 143     7.4    
 55% GLASS   148 - 155     9.8    
 30% GLASS FLAME RET   147 - 157     9.2    
 PETG COPOL   114 - 124     5.2 - 5.6    
 RESIN GRADEb¢/LB¢/CU INc 


 POLYESTER THERMOSET 

  

  
 
 G-P ORTHO   135 - 140     NAd    
 ISOPHTHALIC   160 - 170     NAd    
 BIS-A   205 - 210     NAd    


 PEEK 

4400   

231   
 
 30% GLASS   3300     173    


 POLYETHERIMIDE 

641 - 646   

29.3 - 29.5   
 
 30% GLASS   526 - 531     24.0 - 24.2    


 POLYETHERKETONE (PEK) 

2950   

130.1   
 
 30% GLASS   2600     153    


 POLYETHERSULFONE 

350 - 400   

17.2 - 19.7   
 
 30% GLASS   425 - 525     21 - 25.9    


 POLYETHYLENE (RAILCAR) LDPE 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING & EXTRU   89 - 91     2.9 - 3.0    
 INJECTION   91 - 93     3.0 - 3.1    
 LID RESIN   92 - 94     3.1    
 LINER   87 - 89     2.9    
 CLARITY   84 - 86     2.8    
 EXTRU COATG   88 - 90     2.9 - 3.0    
 BLOW MOLD   92 - 94     3.1    


 LLDPE, BUTENE BASED 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING   76 - 78     2.5 - 2.6    
 LME 30-DAYj   55.5 Prices Went Down 
  1.9    
 FILM   78 - 80     2.6    
 ROTOMOLD   80 - 82     2.6 - 2.7    


 LLDPE, HAO-BASED 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING   79 - 91     2.6 - 2.7    
 LID RESIN   89 - 91     2.9 - 3.0    
 LINER FILM   83 - 85     2.7 - 2.8    


 HDPE 

  

  
 
 G-P INJ MOLD   76 - 78     2.6 - 2.7    
 FILM   84 - 86     2.8 - 2.9    
 BLOW MOLD   78 - 80     2.7 - 2.8    

 HMW-HDPE 

  

  
 
 BLOW MOLDING   83 - 85     2.8 - 2.9    
 FILM   85 - 87     2.9    
 PIPE   90 - 92     3.1    


 UHMW-PE 

100 - 125   

3.6 - 3.7   
 


 PPE/PPO BASED RESIN 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   180     6.8    
 20% GLASSh   283     12.3    
 30% GLASSh   291     13.3    
 EXTRUSIONh   242     9.2    
 STRUCT FM   231     NAd    


 PPS 

  

  
 
 40% GLASS   357 - 404     21.2 - 24.0    
 55% GLASS/MINERAL   289 - 310     20.8 - 22.3    
 65% GLASS/MINERAL   226 - 273     15.5 - 18.7    


 POLYPROPYLENE (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P HOMOPOL INJECTION   80 - 82     2.6 - 2.7    
 LME 30-DAYj   55.1 Prices Went Up  
  1.8    
 EXTRUSION FIBER   78 - 80     2.5 - 2.6    
 PROFILES   84 - 86     2.7 - 2.8    
 RANDOM COPOL          
 BLOW MOLDING   85 - 87     2.8    
 FILM   84 - 86     2.7 - 2.8    
 INJECTION   82 - 84     2.7    
 IMPACT COPOL          
 MED IMP   93 - 95     3.0 - 3.1    
 HI IMP   96 - 98     3.1 - 3.2    


 POLYSTYRENE (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P CRYSTAL   66 - 74     2.5 - 2.8    
 HI HEAT   69 - 77     2.6 - 2.8    
 HIPS   67 - 74     2.5 - 2.8    
 SUPER HI IMP   77 - 83     2.6 - 3.1    
 FR   85 - 93     3.2 - 3.5    
 STRUCT FM (FR)   105 - 108        


 EPS 

  

  
 
 UNMODIFIED   85 - 88     NAd    
 MODIFIED   86 - 90     NAd    


 POLYSULFONE 

569   

25   
 
 10% GLASS 430 20.6   669     32    
 30% GLASS 372 20.01   609     20    


 POLYURETHANE (TP) 

  

  
 
 ESTER TYPE   185 - 255     8 - 11    
 ETHER TYPE   245 - 295     10.6 - 13    


 PU ISOCYANATES 

  

  
 
 POLYMERIC MDI   118 - 135     NAd    
 80/20 TDI   145 - 155     NAd    


 PVC RESIN (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P HOMOPOL   53 - 55     NAd    
 PIPE   50 - 52     NAd    
 FILM   61 - 64     NAd    
 COPOLYMER FLOORING   71 - 73     NAd    
 DISPERSION HOMOPOLY   84 - 90     NAd    
 COPOLYMER   89 - 93     NAd    
 CPVC PIPE COMPOUND   119     NAd    


 PVDC 

  

  
 
 EXTRUDABLE   162     NAd    


 SILICONES 

  

  
 
 MOLD. COMP.   581 - 640     38.1 - 39.3    
 SPECIALTY GR.   891 - 3148    NAd    
 SILICONE/EPOXY   339 - 343     22.5 - 22.8    


 STYRENEACRYLIC 

108 - 112   

3.7 - 4.0   
 


 SAN (G-P) 

66 - 74   

2.5 - 2.8   
 


 STYRENE MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 

  

  
 
 G-P   110 - 115     4.2 - 4.3    
 HI IMP   130 - 140     4.2 - 4.5    
 FR   175 - 183     6.7 - 7.0    


 TP ELASTOMERS 

  

  
 
 OLEFINIC   70 - 76     2.4    
 POLYAMIDE   287 - 337     10.4 - 12.3    
 POLYESTER   200 - 310     8.8 - 13.6    
 STYRENIC   82 - 237     2.9 - 8.3    


 UREA MOLDING COMPOUND 

  

  
 
 BLACK & BROWN   76     3.8    
 WHITE & IVORY   81     4.0    


 VINYL ESTER 

  

  
 
 COR RES   206 - 220 Prices Went Up 
  NAd    
 HEAT & COR RES   233 Prices Went Up  
  NAd    

KEY: Colored areas indicate pricing activity. An arrow () indicates direction of price change. aTruckload, unless otherwise specified. bUnfilled, natural color, unless otherwise specified. cBased on typical or average density. dNot applicable. eNovolac and anhydride grades for coils, bushings, transformers. fNovolac and anhydride grades for resisitors, capacitors, diodes. gIn quantities of 20,000 lb. h19,800-lb load. jLME 30-day futures contract for lots of 54,564 lb..

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