POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks January 2014: Producers again unable to pass on higher benzene prices / Demand still subdued, but spring awakening on the horizon / Price hikes increasingly likely

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks December 2013: Production costs still rising but polymer largely stable / Supply tight and prices weak / Trend looks likely to continue in January 2014

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks November 2013: Only specialities see hikes / Cost declines help producer margins / Building season ends / Some products tight / Further deterioration possible

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks October 2013: Upward pressure holds up / Only TDI sees substantial hikes / Building season wanes / Trend points downward but footwear keeps pure MDI robust

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks September 2013: Higher raw material costs drive notations up / Increases rarely exceed rising costs / Demand mostly soft / Prices likely to move sideways in October

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks August 2013: Bottoming out of prices for TDI and polyols / Polymeric MDI in rollover / Short supply of pure MDI drives notations / Demand remains weak / Cost increases foreseeable

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks July 2013: Rebates predominate / Only pure MDI stable / Poor seasonal demand leads to stock-building / Hike plans with little chance of acceptance

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks June 2013: MDI stable despite slack building activity / TDI and polyols crumble further / Clear trend to oversupply / Weak demand from automotive / Price pressure persists

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks May 2013: Solid benzene price stabilises MDI / TDI and Polyole down / Public holidays slow down orders / Demand below expectations / Increase effect Upstream

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks April 2013: Global weakening of European petchems creates downward pressure / Demand falls as supply lengthens / Trend likely to continue

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2013: MDI and TDI sideways / Olefins pull polyols up / Prompt supply despite maintenance / Weather pressures demand / Building season and new quarter could drive

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2013: Steep hike plans firm the market / MDI and TDI with slight gains / No supply bottlenecks despite maintenance / Order volume still flat / Seasonal demand could drive prices

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2013: First hike plans successfully parried / MDI and polyols in a weak rollover / TDI firmer / Supply adequate to demand / Q1 price rounds are still open

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2012: Weak rollovers dominate the picture / End to building season and automotive slowdown pressure volumes / Firm benzene adds to costs / Hike plans for Q1

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2012: Slight uptrend for TDI, rigid polyols / Weak rollover for MDI, flexible polyols / Maintenance helps cushion demand softness / Prices could stay firm into New Year

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2012: Q3 rally lingers on the market fringes / Large TDI accounts see sharp rise / Specified MDI and polyols make gains / Q4 hikes still being pursued / Regional differences

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in September 2012: Upstream price driving TDI and MDI sharply upward / MDI in a strong rollover / Improved demand / Lingering maintenance turnarounds / Steep hikes in Q4

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in August 2012: Slow holiday demand neutralises cost pressures / MDI and TDI in weak rollover / Flexible polyol notations pointing down / Producers intent on raising prices

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2012: Petrochemical slump pressures polyols / MDI and TDI in strong rollover / Despite lower output, no supply bottlenecks / Demand down slightly / Rising prices upstream drive

CORRECTION - POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2012: Most MDI, TDI and polyol notations roll over / First signs of seasonal downturn / Maintenance cycle causes small TDI bottlenecks / Polyol prices could follow olefins downward