KUMHO MITSUI CHEMICALS

Major increase of South Korean MDI production

FEEDSTOCK MARKETS

MDI: BASF's Chinese plant in Chongqing down / No Force Majeure / Kumho Mitsui threatened by supply issues in South Korea

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

KUMHO MITSUI

Expansion of MDI capacity in Korea / Growing demand from Korean manufacturing transplants

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2011: Higher costs have limited effect on polyols / MDI in weak rollover / TDI slips again / Plants in winter mode / Sluggish demand / Producers likely to seek hikes soon

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2010: Only pure MDI moves up / Renewed margin loss for TDI / Polyols flat despite higher costs / Output improves / Winter halts building / Will producers recoup costs?

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks May 2010: Stagnating costs stabilise prices / Bank holidays dampen demand / Feedstock shortages and maintenance limit supply / Risk of price hikes up to the end of Q2