Import prices of polyethylene (PE) in South-East Asia (SEA) were broadly stable in the past week amid smoldering negotiations on prices due to the small number of proposals, sources told ICIS market.

Many suppliers have already closed their orders for January delivery, and some manufacturers are going to announce their price proposals for the February shipment this week in time to conclude the transaction before the majority of buyers, especially in Vietnam, will leave the market closer to the beginning of the celebration of the Lunar New Year the end of January.

Prices for dutiable linear PE film grades were last week in the range of USD1 160-1 180 per ton CFR South East Asia.

At the same time quotes dutiable film marks the high-density polyethylene (LDPE) voiced at the level of at least USD1 260 per ton CFR South East Asia against the backdrop of limited supply in the region.

One of the processors said that the company is ready to pay the price of USD20 per tonne higher than in the February volumes of LDPE film.

According to the price review ICIS-MRC, the first working week of January on the Russian PE market was very quiet, which was to be expected. Part more processors formed of polyethylene and supplies needed until the end of December feedstock. Some processors complains that still does not have sufficient orders for finished products, and in connection with the plans to return to the procurement of the following week.
Price situation in the last week has been mixed. At the end of the week it marked decline in prices of LDPE, while the low-density polyethylene (HDPE) has risen in price. In the market the same LDL Middle Eastern producers following the growth of quotations of oil announced the increase of LDL C4 prices for shipments in January. Transactions on delivery from European warehouse in a consistent range of EUR1 085-1 125 per tonne, FCA. Marine supply offered by USD1 160-1 200 per tonne, CFR Saint-Petersburg.