Import HDPE film gains premium over LLDPE film in China, SEA

06-May-11

Following several consecutive weeks in which HDPE film prices have gained ground relative to LDPE and LLDPE film prices, import HDPE film has gained a premium over import LLDPE film in both China and Southeast Asia, as per ChemOrbis. According to data from ChemOrbis Price Index, HDPE film prices had been trading at a discount to LLDPE film prices for more than one year before HDPE film prices moved above LLDPE film prices this week. Sources attributed the recent reversal in pricing to comparatively healthy demand for HDPE as well as limited availability for this product in both China and Southeast Asia. Traders in both China and Vietnam report that they are considering stocking up some HDPE film cargoes these days as they are not feeling satisfied with their stock levels for this product. In contrast, Vietnamese traders report that they are not looking to purchase any additional LLDPE film stocks owing to lackluster demand for this product as well as healthy supply levels. Chinese traders holding LLDPE film stocks are actively searching for re-export opportunities, with several buyers in Southeast Asia reporting that they have received offers for Middle Eastern LLDPE film this week from Chinese traders looking to re-export their stocks. HDPE film prices have also gained ground relative to LLDPE film in local markets. Inside China, locally-held LLDPE film lost CNY150/ton ($23/ton) on the upper end of the range this week while locally-held HDPE film firmed up CNY100-300/ton ($15-46/ton) over the same time period. Locally-held HDPE film prices currently carry a premium of CNY200-450/ton ($31-69/ton) over locally-held LLDPE film prices in China. In Indonesia, a domestic producer lifted their HDPE film prices by $20/ton this week while leaving their LLDPE film prices unchanged over the past week, with the result that the producer’s HDPE film prices currently carry a premium of $10/ton over their LLDPE film prices. Although LLDPE film still carries a premium of THB1500-2000/ton ($50-67/ton) over HDPE film in Thailand’s domestic market, distributors in the country said that they raised their HDPE film prices by THB500-1500/ton ($17-50/ton) this week while leaving their LLDPE film prices stable on a week over week basis.