Asian paraxylene prices gained US$1 a ton both FOB Korea and CFR Taiwan/China in the last week of September. Isomer-grade mixed xylene prices were down US$2 a ton FOB Korea.

Paraxylene prices gained on the week as crude oil prices recovered sharply that week. Meanwhile isomer-grade mixed xylenes prices fell marginally as stable downstream stemmed further fall.

In US, September contracts was settled at US cents 3.00-3.75 lower per pound from August's split settlement. Spot mixed xylene fell US cents 5 per gallon FOB USG on the week for October. A combination of reformate was heard being shipped to Asia and firm blend values kept mixed xylene supply limited.

In Europe, all xylene prices softened on the week while paraxylene export interest was heard waning. Contract prices remained unsettled.

Courtesy: Weekly PriceWatch Report