Prices in global petrochemicals market fell another 1% in April

19-May-14

Prices in the US$3 trillion-plus global petrochemicals market fell another 1% in April to US$1,363/mt, down just US$8/mt from March, according to the monthly Platts Global Petrochemical Index (PGPI). The PGPI is a benchmark basket of seven widely used petrochemicals and is published by Platts. The slight decline in PGPI was attributed in part to falling prices in the global ethylene market, which saw prices fall 3% to US$1254/mt. Paraxylene prices also were lower, falling 2% to US$1155/mt. The other five components in the PGPI were relatively stable, either climbing or falling by 1% or less. The slight drop in petrochemical prices, was opposite of the primary raw inputs for petrochemicals – crude oil and naphtha. The global naphtha index was up 2% in April, while crude prices climbed less than 1%. Petrochemicals are used to make plastic, rubber, nylon and other consumer products and are utilized in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, aviation, electronics and nearly every commercial industry. Olefins: Prices of olefins were lower in April. Ethylene inventories grew during the first quarter of 2014, which put downward pressure on prices and accounted for the largest price drop in April of all the PGPI seven components. In the U.S., ethylene inventories were at a 12-year high, according to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association. Polyethylene, a polymer produced from ethylene, was priced slightly higher in April despite lower ethylene prices. The price edged up 1% to US$1639/mt in April, up from US$1622/mt in March. Global propylene prices averaged US$1396/mt in April, down US$10/mt (1%) from the March average of US$1406/mt. Polypropylene, the polymer produced from propylene, was up 1% at US$1639/mt in April, compared to US$1622/mt in March. Aromatics: Prices of aromatics were mixed but mostly lower in April. Paraxylene posted the largest decline, falling 2% to US$1155/mt, down from the March average of US$1173/mt. Toluene prices fell US$1 in April to US$1072/mt. Benzene was the only aromatic to post gains in April, climbing US$11/mt to US$1364/mt. Petrochemical prices in April got little direction from global equity markets. The London Stock Exchange Index (FTSE) climbed 3% in April, while the Down Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) climbed 1% during the same period. The Nikkei 225 fell 4% in April.