Polymer Grade Propylene Update – November

The ideal scientist thinks like a poet and works like a bookkeeper.”

– Biologist, E.O. Wilson

The Chemical Company has completed the construction of its new worldwide corporate headquarters (seen above).  This new, state-of-the-art facility is less than 1 mile from our old facility and was designed from the ground up to fit the needs of The Chemical Company, its customers and the future.  The main building features a secure, disaster proof, state-of-the-art IT facility, voice over IP telephone system, video conferencing, perimeter security, high-definition video surveillance system throughout the entire campus, multiple generator standby power back-up, complete kitchen, gym, campus WIFI network to name just a few of the main features. Our unified application platform provides unparalleled access to order tracking, shipment tracking and real-time inventory management worldwide. This information can be accessed on any Internet enabled device to provide the highest level of customer service.

The Chemical Company has also begun the process to upgrade our ISO system to 14001 and include Responsible Care.  This is scheduled to be complete by Q1 of 2014.  The Chemical Company is and always has been committed to continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance.

In plasticizer news, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a statement withdrawing a proposal under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to list “chemicals that may pose a concern.”  Eight phthalates plasticizers were on the list and would have arbitrarily been labeled as chemicals of concern.  The list did include Butyl Benzyl Phthalate, DiOctyl Phthalate, Diisononyl Phthalate, and Diisodecyl Phthalate.  The EPA did state its intent to continue the evaluation of 83 products named in the TSCA Work Plan Chemicals listing. The Work Plan Chemicals identified on the June 2012 EPA listing that are of direct interest to RXN clients includes (in order of appearance) 2-EH based bromates, benzene, DOA, naphthalene, phthalic anhydride, orthoxylene, and paraxylene.


Product Updates

Adipic Acid                   25 kg, 500 kg and 1,000 kg Bags (In Stock and Available Now!)

NatureFlexx 509          Phthalate Free General Purpose Plasticizer.  Available in Totes (2200 lbs.) and Drums.  (In stock and immediately available)

Malic Acid                        25 kg Bags (In stock and available now!)

Bio- Succinic Acid       Myriant’s North American Bio-Succinic Acid unit is now on line. 2000 lb. supersacks and 25 kg bags available.

Vestinol 9 DINP            The Chemical Company offers bulk trucks and split loads (w/ eso or dop) of DINP to North America.

Ammonium Bromide       25 kg Bags in stock and immediately available.


Critical Raw Material Markets

Raw Material Trends Legend

CHECK THE REAL-TIME COMMODITIES TRACKER AT THECHEMCO.COM FOR UP TO THE MINUTE INFO.

Benzene:   U.S. benzene contracts for November settled down $.27 per gallon to $4.10 per gallon from $4.37 per gallon in October.  Spot prices are in the $4.11 $4.14 per gallon range and expected to fall.   

n-Butane:  Normal Butane prices are trading in the low $1.40’s per gallon.  Pricing has trended lower recently and maintained its price below October’s price average of $1.48 per gallon.  

Ethylene:   U.S. Contract Price for October has not yet settled.  September settled at $.46 per lb.  This is a roll-over from August.  Recent trades are in the high $.40’s per lb.  

Natural Gas: NYMEX NG pricing has steadily moved lower.  Current NYMEX pricing is $3.50 per mmbtu.   Pricing has trended lower since mid- October.  

Oil: Current WTI crude has moderated lower to $95 per barrel.  Demand is good in North America but less demand in Asia is noted.  

Orthoxylene: October contracts settled up $.03 per lb. to $.64 per lb.  It is speculated that prices will retreat the same value for November.  UP

Propylene: Contract pricing for October settled at $.675 per lb. for Polymer Grade and $.65 per lb. for Chemical Grade.  Down $.025 per lb. from September.   November is expected to roll at October prices.  


New & Updated Technical Information

Chemicals Markets

Adipic Acid

Adipic Acid pricing is stable.  Ammonia and Benzene prices are trading range bound.  And supply is balanced due to recent capacity restrictions in the EU.  TCC has Adipic Acid in stock and immediately available in 1,000 Kg. Sacks, 500 Kg. Sacks and 25 Kg. bags.   

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

 

Ammonia

November pricing in Tampa decreased US$10/ ton to $480/ton.  

Antimony Trioxide

Demand for antimony trioxide remains weak.  Current offers are in the low $4.00/ lb. range for full truckloads.  Buyers continue to keep inventories to a minimum and use alternate chemistries where possible.  Small bags and sacks are immediately available. 

For more information please contact AJ Petrarca aj@thechemco.com

Dicyandiamide

Prices are stable and expected to remain as such until the end of the year.   We are keeping a close eye on energy demand and increased freight costs from China.  The Chemical Company has both bags and sacks in stock and immediately available.  

For more information please contact AJ Petrarca aj@thechemco.com

Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Soybean prices have been relatively stable, check thechemco.com for real time soybean pricing on our commodities ticker.  Epoxidized Soybean Oil Supply is healthy with new players pushing prices lower.  ESO Pricing has stabilized for the moment.  TCC offers bulk, split trucks, drums and totes or epoxidized soy bean oil. 

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

 

Fumaric Acid

Fumaric Acid Pricing is stable but long lead times are noted.  Due to much lower butane values North American producers are enjoying a low cost production position.   Order early for rateable supply.   

For more information please contact AJ Petrarca aj@thechemco.com

Glycol (Mono, Di and Tri)

Ethylene – U.S. Contract Price for October and November has not yet settled.  September settled at US$.46/ lb. a roll over from August.

MEG – Spot prices are 46-48 cts/ lb. fob Gulf but pushing lower in line with Asia spot values.  

DEG – U.S. producers have announced no price change for November.  Spot prices are in the mid to high $.40’s per lb. fob Gulf.  

TEG – Demand and pricing surge in October. Producers announce increases in October totaling US$.23- $.26/ lb.  Pricing is now well in excess of US$1.00/ lb.

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

Isophthalic Acid

PIA pricing is stable.  Supply and demand also remain stable. 

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

Maleic Anhydride

Supply is balanced to tight in North America due to turnarounds and producer interruptions.  Molten Prices have remained stable with small increases the exception.  Many are surprised that pricing remained steady with Maleic’s major feedstock n-butane in decline.  Briquette prices have stabilized but one major offshore producer is taking a turnaround in May and June.  TCC offers Molten Maleic Anhydride to North America and has 25 Kg. bags of Maleic Anhydride Briquettes in stock.    

For more information please contact AJ Petrarca aj@thechemco.com

Melamine

Melamine supply remains tight and pricing level.  TCC has Melamine in stock and available.  

For more information please contact Javier Fernandez  Javier@thechemco.com 

Malic Acid

Malic Acid Pricing has stabilized but there are significant lead times for both domestic and imported material.  Low butane costs have made North American producers the most competitive in the world.   TCC has Malic Acid in stock and available. 

For more information please contact AJ Petrarca aj@thechemco.com

 

Methanol

The Methanex Non-Discounted Reference Price for November will increase US$.15/ gallon to US$1.80/ gallon.  Spot pricing is currently approx. US$1.58- $1.59/ gal.   UP

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

Notes:

Limited natural gas curtailments continue in Trinidad.

Another SABIC Ar Razi unit will have an extended turnaround.

There are rumours of some operating issues in southeast Asia.

Nitric Acid:

Nitric Acid pricing is stable and availability is good.   Ammonia pricing has been relatively flat.  

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

Phenolic Resins:

Phenol pricing has shifted only moderately lower.  This is mainly due to an over-supply of benzene, hence lower benzene pricing.   On the other hand, Formaldehyde prices have inched higher as methanol pricing have found a new and higher market price.   

For more information please contact John Santini at john@thechemco.com

Phthalic Anhydride:

Phthalic Anhydride pricing will increase by $.03/ lb. in November in line with the US$.03/ lb. October orthoxylene price increase.  Orthoxylene will likely fall $.03/ lb in November.  UP

For more Information please contact Javier Fernandez at javier@thechemco.com

 

Plasticizers and Plasticizer Alcohols

Plasticizer demand in North America is considered slow and extremely competitive.  North American pricing has been under pressure as Eastman looks to fill their capacity and from inexperienced importers. 

Plasticizer alcohol demand is also considered slow.  Over capacity of 2-EH in Asia is pushing Isononyl Alcohol and 2 PH Alcohol pricng lower.  Limited 2-EH of Chinese origin is seen outside of the PRC.  

For more information please contact Forest Goodman at forest@thechemco.com

TCC Plasticizers available

Note:  Please contact TCC for further details.

Non (ortho)- Phthalate:

ChemFlexx Dibenzoate Esters

ChemFlexx Di-2-ethylhexyl Succinate (DOSX)

“ChemFlexx NP 500” Non- Phthalate Replacement for General Purpose Plasticizers

“ChemFlexx NP 600” Non- Phthalate Replacement for DIDP

“NatureFlexx 509” Phthalate Free General Purpose (ATBC)

Epoxidized Soybean Oil

ChemFlexx TOTM (Tri-2-ethylhexyl Trimellitate)

ChemFlexx DOA (Di-2-ethylhexyl Adipate)

ChemFlexx 8 10 Trimellitate

ChemFlexx DOTP (Di-2-ethylhexyl Terephthalate)

Oxsoft 3G8 (Triethylenglycol-di-(2-ethylhexanoate))

Oxsoft DUO 1

Oxsoft DUO 2

 

Phthalate

Vestinol 9 DiIsononyl Phthalate (DINP)

“ChemFlexx 206” Functional Linear Phthalate Replacement

“ChemFlexx 208” Low Temp Functional Linear Phthalate Replacement

ChemFlexx DOP (Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate)

ChemFlexx DUP (DiUndecyl Phthalate)

DMP (DiMethyl Phthalate)

Brominated DOP

ChemFlexx 9 11 Phthalate

ChemFlexx L9 Phthalate

Styrene monomer

Styrene pricing decreased slightly for November in line with lower benzene values (down $.27/ gallon).   NA demand remains slow.   

For more information please contact Robb Roach at robb@thechemco.com

 

Urea

Current granular barge pricing of Urea is US$270 – $310/ ton and trading higher.  Prills are reported at $310- $315/ ton fob Gulf.   Prices increased suddenly during the last week of October as the open window for Chinese exports closed.  It is still too early to see whether this higher pricing will stick.  UP

 

For more information on these or any of the products and services provided by TCC please contact Robb Roach directly at Robb@thechemco.com or go to our web site at thechemco.com

Contact TCC

The Chemical Company
P.O. Box 436
Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: (401) 360-2800
Website: thechemco.com
Email: Info@thechemco.com

ATTENTION:  TCC has moved.  Our new address is:

The Chemical Company
P.O. Box 436
44 Southwest Ave.
Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: (401) 360-2800
Website: thechemco.com
Email: Info@thechemco.com

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