In the week ended 21 September 2018, the SE and FE Asian caprolactum markers on the lower end rose US$20 a ton. In China, spot liquid good offers were up US$73 a ton as compared to last week while solid goods rose US$29 a ton on the week.

Caprolactum prices in Asia surged in the week while feedstock benzene values were still declining. In China, CPL prices soared as supply was limited during the week while demand was lagging a bit.

The average plant run rates at CPL producers were at 83% in the week. Meanwhile, Hengyi Petrochemical cut run rate of one 350,000 tons per year CPL line to 50% for five to seven days due to some failure.

Feedstock benzene prices in Asia fell again as most market players adopted a wait-and-see stance while some traders replenished stocks in the week ahead of national holiday. In US, spot benzene prices inched up despite sufficient supply as demand was seen improving during the week. In Europe, spot benzene prices weakened on ample supply in the week.

Courtesy: Weekly PriceWatch Report