Spot steam cracker margins in Europe peak to near month high as ethylene rises

10-Jun-14

Last week, European spot steam cracker margins hit a near month high of Eur 72/mt (US$98/mt) mid week, on the back of an increase in ethylene, as per Platts. Ethylene spot prices reached their highest point since the end of February at Eur 942.50/mt FD NWE, as exports and domestic sales helped alleviate length in the NWE system. Feedstock naphtha also edged up, limiting the increase in the margins. Naphtha averaged US$938/mt CIF NWE in May, up 1.3% from April.