ASF Prices Remain Firm

Market Intelligence

ASF Prices Remain Firm

Acrylonitrile

Acrylonitrile spot prices were under pressure in Asian market from heavy arrivals of imported cargoes, but downside was capped by scheduled plant turnarounds in the region. In China, Sinopec raised its May settlement price in north China while spot values at jumped sharply. The Far East CFR marker fell 1% over the two weeks to USD 2,029-2,031 per metric ton. In Europe, acrylonitrile market players were looking ahead to June discussions, following the completion of May contract talks. Although, French rail strikes continued to cause delivery issues, they have eased somewhat this week, with more deliveries completed showing improvement in acrylonitrile supply. Spot prices were up USD 20 in the last two weeks at USD 1,928-1,932 per metric ton CIF Mediterranean while May contracts settled at USD 1,976-2,035 per metric ton FD NWE.

ASF

ASF markets in Asia were firm with spot offers unchanged and actual deals concluded at much higher level. As production remained limited, the potential of uptrend persisted in future. Demand remained steady but with tight supply, some downstream yarn mills could not gain access to raw materials. Offers for medium-length fibre and cotton-type ASF remained flat at USD 2.83-2.96 per kg. Prices of Taiwan origin goods were hiked in the third week and adjusted down in the fourth. 3D bright ASF tow rose US cents 5 in the last two weeks to USD 2.60-2.65 per kg.