http://www.yarnsandfibers.com YarnsandFibers Textile PriceWatch en bharati@yarnsandfibers.com YarnsandFibers Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:38:06 -0700 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:38:06 -0700 http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/images/topbanner_logonew.gif http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index_main.php3/ http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Wool The wool markets saw a more stable market for the third week of the year, after a volatile start to the year. The Australian EMI was lifted Aus cents 4 to close at Aus$11.94. In terms of US$, the index was at US$12.73, up US cents 33 from last week. The index for West Australia was up US cents 38, the highest while South gained US cents 35. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Cotton The New York Futures cotton market inched down as March Futures 2012 stood at US cents 95.61 per pounds and December Futures 2012 was at US cents 94.59 per pound. The Cotlook A index stood at US cents 100.95 cents per pound, down US cents 1.50 from last week. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 VFY The Asian viscose filament yarn markets were quiet and prices remained mostly stable. Downstream producers had rushed for buying before the Spring Festival, resulting in a sharp replenishment before the holidays. Thus fresh demand was hard to improve. Further VFY producers were intending to hike offer amid thin activity. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 VSF The Asian viscose staple fiber markets opened the week after a long Lunar New Year holidays with prices rolling over previous numbers. The markets generally remained closed. While offers rolled over to those before the Spring Festival, some producers raised their offers slightly. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 ASF Acrylic fiber spot market activity was yet to improve after the market reopened this week. Traders were expected to return soon, and producers were running at stable rates with moderate stock in hand. Some producers raised offers for early February delivery, and spot discussions were expected to rise accordingly. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Fiber Intermediates Acrylonitrile spot offer remained stable-to-firm this week in Asian markets, while limited availability and low inventory with suppliers supported prices in the markets. The markets were quiet on the first trading day after Lunar New Year holidays, with some February offers heard rising while in spot market prices were being discussed at higher levels. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Propylene Spot prices of feedstock propylene were up in Asian markets despite the strong availability of spot cargoes in the absence of the key China market. Spot prices in India and the Middle East may increase, with buying activities likely to pick up once the Chinese market is back from its week-long holiday. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 NFY Nylon filament yarn prices remained firm on support of rising nylon chip sentiment and high caprolactum prices in Asian markets. However, trades were subdued as downstream players were still away for the holiday limiting demand on the other hand. In coming weeks, nylon filament prices are likely to slight uptrend slightly given the firm cost support and downstream buyers resuming operations. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Polyamide Chips The first trading day after the long holiday saw sparse activities in the Asian nylon chip markets as most players were watching on the sidelines. Downstream producers were also absent while a few resumed operations. Many buyers had restocked raw materials before the holidays and would largely consume inventory opening up post holidays. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Fiber Intermediates After a weeklong holiday, Asian caprolactum markets were quiet and calm this week. Prices mostly remained unchanged at previous weeks level. On the first trading day after the long holiday, caprolactum markets saw sparse activities, as most players were watching on the sidelines. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Benzene Asian benzene prices sobered this week after rising 2.2% last week as demand slackened in the week long Spring festival holidays. European spot NWE benzene prices spurted further this week caused by a lack of benzene feedstock pyrolisis gasoline. The availability of pygas was limited due to lower cracker operating rates. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 PSF The polyester staple fibre markets in Asia were quiet this week but cost pressure increased as PTA and MEG prices had increased significantly in recent weeks. In China producers were seen revising their offers for direct-melt-spun PSF while prices rose in Fujian market. Upstream super bright chip market in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was also directionless, with some producers yet to return from the holiday. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 PFY The polyester filament yarn markets in Asia were calm this week as most PFY producers in China were yet to resume production activity. Prices of some specs were seen changing in Pakistan while Indian numbers remained unchanged. In China, producers who resumed business in Jiangsu and Zhejiang were mostly busy with delivering for pre-Spring Festival orders, which was nevertheless restricted by transporting issues. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Fiber Intermediates The polyester chips markets were quiet this week in Asia as upstream PTA and MEG sellers were reluctant to sell as the entire polyester chain markets are yet to resume normal activity as many producers were still away for the Spring Festival holiday. However, only few spot trades were concluded as some downstream producers were away for the long holiday while buyers were not eager to follow up at the moment. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Fiber Intermediates The Asian PTA markets were quiet this week while PTA futures market was closed for the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday. On the first day after the Spring Festival, PTA market mainly saw wait-and-see stance, as most traders were yet to resume business after a long holiday. There were sporadic tentative inquiries, but no firm prices. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Fiber Intermediates The Asian MEG markets were quiet this week as most markets were on holidays. On the first day after the Spring Festival, MEG market saw sidelined stance and most traders were still on holiday. There were many tentative inquiries on expectation of bullish beginning. Several buying interest were at heard at US$1,360 and sporadic offers were at US$1,370-1,380 a ton, while actual talks were insignificant. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Paraxylene Paraxylene prices inched up in Asian market this week as a buyer\'s were back in the market after the long Lunar New Year holidays. In Europe, spot paraxylene values softened a bit week on week notwithstanding the rise in Asian and US markets. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Ethylene On the first day after the Spring Festival, ethylene markets in Asia saw wait-and-see stance, as most players were still in the holiday. Prices mostly rolled over previous weeks numbers. European ethylene prices jumped significantly this week. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Naphtha Asian naphtha prices gained ground this week, climbing US$18.12 a ton to be assessed at US$967 a t on CFR Japan. This pushed the H2 March crack against March ICE Brent futures to a more than four-month high of US$139. http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/rpricewatch/index.php3 Crude Oil Brent crude oil prices rose as Iran\'s parliament will consider a measure calling for a halt in oil exports to the EU as early as next week, in advance of the bloc\'s embargo of Iranian oil set for July as the West\'s dispute over Tehran\'s nuclear program continues.