Prices of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) in Europe in December, the average increased by EUR100 per ton, compared with the previous month, with increased contract prices of raw materials – styrene monomer, ICIS reported with reference to the market participants.

Prices ABS in Asia remain to be high, say European producers, allowing them to successfully implement price increases.

Demand for ABS in Europe low due to seasonal factors and the proximity of Christmas holidays.

Market sources say that buyers are seeing growth in spot styrene prices in Europe and Asia, make small purchases in terms of ABS, in anticipation of an increase in prices in January. Market participants believe that, given current trends, styrene prices in January could rise by EUR50-60 per tonne.

The producers expect prices ABS will remain unchanged until the end of the first quarter of 2017.

As reported earlier MRC, November contract price rose ABS EUR50-60 per ton after the contract prices of styrene in the last month agreed to EUR40 higher compared with October.

On the Russian domestic market, according to the price review ICIS-MRC, styrene buyers have noted a significant increase in the cost of monomer, which will affect the cost of the polymer in December. Meanwhile, the rise in prices in December, expect processors running on imported raw materials. Styrene contract prices in Europe are set at EUR170 per tonne above November levels. On increasing the price for December reported polystyrene suppliers in Russia – Company Trinseo and Styrulution.