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China’s PVC prices surge on supply tightness

  • Mercados: Petrochemicals
  • 24/02/21

Chinese domestic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices rallied by 1,400-1,500 yuan/t ($217-233) or 17pc from the pre-lunar new year holiday level on 10 February, supported by supply tightness globally following unexpected plant shutdowns in the US.

Ethylene-based PVC in east China is trading at Yn9,600-9,700/t ex-works today, a rise of Yn950-1,050/t from a week earlier. Carbide-based PVC prices in east China climbed to Yn8,600-8,700/t ex-works, a rise of Yn650/t over the same period.

Severe weather in the US has affected vinyl plants, with 87pc of US EDC, 86pc of US VCM and 84pc of US PVC production capacity shut down or curtailed. Argus estimates that 280,000t of EDC, 140,000t of VCM and 110,000t of PVC production will be lost as a result of the storm event.

Besides the global supply crunch, lower-than-expected inventories at domestic producers also lent support to prices. Stockpiling activity during the 11-17 February festive break was lower than the equivalent periods in 2019 and 2020, as many cargoes were pre-sold because of firm demand ahead of the holiday.

Strong PVC futures prices on the Dalian commodity exchange (DCE) also underpinned market sentiment. The May contract on the DCE rose from Yn7,720/t on 10 February to Yn8,520/t on 24 February. Some traders took a long position on PVC futures, expecting a further increase in export demand from the southeast Asian market.

But trading activity was subdued as converters were caught off guard by the rapid price increases after the holiday and were showing cautious sentiment towards the current five-year high prices. It takes time for converters to pass on increasing costs to consumers.


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