Manufacturers of pipe grades of high density polyethylene (HDPE) are hoping to get higher prices for March shipment in the Asian region, told ICIS market participants.

On were in the range of USD1 275-1 330 per ton last week, the price of HDPE pipe, CFR China, and USD1 230-1 270 per ton, CFR South East Asia (SEA), according to ICIS data.

Manufacturers of South East Asia have already announced price increase on USD20 per tonne for shipment in March compared to the level of February and is still optimistic about the market outlook. Thus, the current proposals are about USD1 280 per tonne level, CFR Southeast Asia.

Offers also from Middle Eastern producers are expected this week.

One of the producers in the Middle East was also optimistic about the market prospects of the IPA, referring to the recent increase in ethylene prices and the upcoming peak season demand for the material.

However, Chinese traders are skeptical that consumers will accept higher prices against a background of deteriorating market sentiment in China in response to falling commodity prices of polyethylene (PE) and LLDPE futures (LDL).

According to the price review ICIS-MRC, the Russian HDPE market continued to decline in prices last week. Some traders in anticipation of supply growth and price reduction of the IPA in March began to actively to sell their stocks. Low demand persists in the segments of the pipe and HDPE injection. In general, processors expect further reduction in prices of Russian MHP both due to oversupply, and due to pressure from imports from Uzbekistan.