Three months of stability in higher benzene and styrene costs, along with stable demand from end users, has allowed polystyrene producers to finally implement a 5¢/lb price increase this month that had been proposed to 92¢ some weeks ago.
Buyers say PS availability has been snug; in fact, delivery leadtimes have stretched out past 14 weeks according to this month survey of buyers. However, with the market switching over to the seasonal midsummer slowdown, a market update by subscription newsletter ICISpricing.com points to market reports that believe demand will moderate. Therefore, prices could slide off this month's high as soon as August. There are news reports of supply-tightening operating issues within Dow Chemical's 750,000 ton/year styrene plant in Freeport, Texas, but there has been no statement by the company.
(Purchasing.com)
30-Jul-07 
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