Spot ethylene prices rise in USA as ethane strengthens, market tightens

23-Aug-10

Spot ethylene values have continued on an uptrend in USA as September prices pushed higher amid rising feedstock and a tight market, as per Platts. Feedstock ethane prices increased, driven by stronger buy interest and the fact Dow stepped out of the market as a seller following the startup of its LHC 7 olefins unit at Freeport, Texas. Sellers are likely to continue offering higher in an effort to retain margins in the face of rising feedstock costs. With spot ethylene near 36 cents/lb and ethane and E/P mix at 48.75 and 40.25 cents/gallon respectively, steam cracker operators were seeing margins from E/P mix estimated at 17.20 cents/lb. Margins from ethane were slightly lower at 13.54 cents/lb.