EDC prices rise by US$15 in the week, at 30 month high on weak supply, rising feedstocks

07-Feb-14

US ethylene dichloride (EDC) was assessed Thursday at US$380-390/mt FOB USG, rising by US$15/mt week on week, amid weak supply and strong pricing in Asia and an increase in feedstock ethylene, as per Platts. The assessment is the highest since the September 8, 2011, assessment of US$395-405/mt FOB USG, "Prices in Asia are moving up and so is domestic ethylene. EDC prices are climbing," one trading source said. "EDC in Asia is around US$500/mt CFR-basis and with shipping around US$100/mt, prices at around US$380 are tradable." In feedstock ethylene, US January contracts were heard settling 2 cents above December levels, increasing the net transaction price to 50.25 cents/lb ($1,108/mt). The posted price for January would also then settle 2 cents higher at 54.75 cents/lb ($1,207/mt).This marks the third consecutive increase in prices. If the January contract prices are accepted marketwide, they would be the highest since April 2012, when net transaction and posted prices were 55.25 cents/lb and 59.75 cents/lb, respectively. Ethylene market participants previously expected a price hike in the range of 1-1.50 cents/lb.