Higher upstream costs push up PET prices in Indonesia

21-Apr-15

Indonesia’s PET market is seen catching up with the firmer trend in Asia this week after domestic producers issued up to three-digit hikes on their local prices pointing to higher feedstock costs, according to ChemOrbis. Following an explosion at a Chinese PX plant, which makes up 12% of the country’s total PX capacity, spot prices for PX have climbed by over US$60/ton week over week. China’s Dragon Aromatics’ PX plant located in Gulei, Zhangzhou, Fujian province was hit by an explosion on April 6. The plant, which has a total PX capacity of 1.6 mln tpa, was shut for a month-long maintenance on March 14. However, the incident reportedly extended the duration of an ongoing maintenance which was initially scheduled to end in mid-April. In addition to higher PX costs, spot prices for MEG and PTA are also suggesting weekly increases between US$50/ton and US$70/ton on a CFR China basis, as per ChemOrbis. A domestic producer raised their PET prices by US$100/ton compared to last week in the local market citing firmer upstream costs. A producer source said, “Demand is good and PET prices in China have gained ground as well.” A source from another domestic producer stated that demand for PET is good in the local market due to the upcoming Ramadan holidays and supply is sufficient. The source thinks that PET prices could post further increases of US$20-30/ton considering higher PX and MEG prices. A converter confirmed that domestic suppliers issued increases between US$70-100/ton on their latest PET offers, with the exception of a producer who raised their prices by US$40-50/ton from their latest levels. The buyer said that he is not planning to make new purchases for now given his existing stocks and commented that the overall supply is sufficient. Another converter reported, “Demand for our end products is good owing to the upcoming holidays in the June-July period. A domestic producer has stopped their orders so we could not procure material from them. We think that prices will gain further ground in the local market.” A bottle manufacturer added, “We think that more suppliers might raise their prices this week as the recent explosion at a Chinese PX plant is giving an upper hand to sellers. Meanwhile, local PET availability is sufficient.”