Styron Europe will seek to increase general purpose and high-impact polystyrene prices in January by Eur110/mt (US$143/mt), as per Platts. The price increase responds to the rising costs associated with the manufacturing of polystyrene grades in Europe.
The polystyrene price increase follows the settlement of a January styrene monomer contract at Eur1488/mt (US$1963/mt) FOB ARA on Thursday, up Eur 60/mt from the December contract price of Eur1428/mt. The rise in polystyrene costs was prompted by the settlement of the January benzene CP at Eur 1153/mt FD NWE, its highest yet settlement, negotiating parties said Monday. The benzene settlement represents an increase of Eur69 and US$121 compared with the November contract price of Eur1084/mt and US$1408/mt FD NWE.
European general purpose PS prices were assessed by Platts this week at Eur1560/mt, while high impact prices were assessed at Eur1680/mt FD NWE.
In December, Styron shut both its styrene facilities at Bohlen and Terneuzen on poor economics. Bohlen has a capacity to produce 300,000 tpa while Terneuzen has a nameplate production capacity of 500,000 tpa.
By and large, the styrene/benzene spread in December has hovered at around US$93-130/mt -- US$120-207/mt below the required breakeven spread of US$250-300/mt for regional producers, depending on energy costs and how efficient the plant is.
09-Jan-13 
{{comment.DateTimeStampDisplay}}
{{comment.Comments}}