Argus Isocyanates
Overview
Argus Isocyanates is a weekly price report covering the international isocyanates market. It provides assessed prices, market commentary and capacity data for methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) across the US, Europe and China. Published every Wednesday, the report enables producers, consumers and traders to monitor price movements and market conditions across the polyurethane value chain.
At a glance
- Weekly MDI and TDI price assessments across three regions.
- Contract and spot prices for the US, Europe and China.
- Month-on-month price deltas and outright contract prices.
- Market commentary on supply, demand and feedstock trends.
- Global MDI and TDI capacity availability data by producer.
- Related market data for crude, naphtha, benzene and toluene.
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Key features
Regional price assessments
Price assessments for polymeric MDI, monomeric MDI and TDI across the US, Europe and China, supported by a clear and transparent methodology.
Global capacity loss analysis
Tracks planned and unplanned outages across global MDI and TDI capacity, alongside producer-level capacity availability data and supply-side developments affecting market availability.
Feedstock and value chain insight
Analysis of crude, naphtha, benzene, toluene and chlor-alkali markets, helping users understand upstream cost drivers and market relationships.
Fundamentals analysis
Coverage of plant operating status, trade flows, production costs, pricing negotiations and demand trends shaping isocyanate market dynamics.
Industry news
Real-time reporting from Argus market experts covering developments across isocyanates and polyurethane markets worldwide.
Trusted methodology
Developed in partnership with the market and based on transparent, robust and rigorous pricing processes.
How Argus assesses the isocyanates market
- Broad market participation
Data is gathered from producers, consumers and intermediaries, with reporters proactively polling all credible market sources.
- Transaction priority
Where available, Argus assigns greater weight to transactions over bids and offers, and bids and offers over other market data.
- Transaction verification
Transaction data is verified for price, volume, specifications and counterparty, with defined tests applied to identify and exclude anomalous deals.
- Expert judgement
When transaction data is insufficient, reporters assess market value using bids, offers, spread trades and fundamental supply and demand information.
- Prices assessed delivered
Prices are assessed on a delivered basis. Specifications and minimum volumes ensure assessments reflect tradable market values.
Who uses this service
Feedstock and Base Chemical Producers
- Monitor MDI and TDI market performance using independent pricing and market analysis.
- Track downstream demand trends across isocyanates and polyurethane markets.
- Use capacity-loss analysis and market commentary to support commercial planning.
MDI and TDI Producers
- Benchmark contract and spot prices using independent market assessments.
- Monitor supply-demand dynamics, outages and trade flows affecting market conditions.
- Support contract negotiations, budgeting and commercial strategy.
Traders, Distributors and Consumers
- Use price assessments and regional market analysis to support procurement and pricing decisions.
- Monitor trade flows, supply availability and market developments.
- Identify commercial opportunities across MDI and TDI markets.
Investors and Banks
- Model company exposure to isocyanates and related chemical markets.
- Monitor market developments, pricing trends and supply disruptions.
- Support investment analysis and risk assessment with independent market intelligence.