The August contract prices of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) in the European market increased against the backdrop of the growth of quotations of raw materials, ICIS sources told the market.

Thus, the prices of ABS in the region were raised by EUR20 per tonne in both the upper and lower price ranges, compared to the levels of the previous month for all brands of material, although some market players managed to prolong the July prices.

Despite the fact that demand declined in line with the expectations of the summer holiday period, the price increase was still achieved because of the rising cost of raw materials.

Increased in August at EUR20 per tonne of quotes of the key raw material component – styrene – and a limited supply on the market is believed to exert further pressure on ABS buyers in the future.

It is expected that demand will rise again in September, but if prices for secondary raw materials-acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene-continue to grow, some buyers may not choose their contractual volumes.

According to the ScanPlast of MRC, in June 2018 9.21 thousand tons of polystyrene and styrene plastics were shipped from Russia for export. Thus, the export of ABS was 70 tons.