Players of the European market of expandable polystyrene (EPS-C) agreed contract prices for January deliveries by an average of EUR85-95 per ton higher compared to December, while the number of transactions was slightly above or below the specified level, the sources told ICIS market.

Bad weather seems to have an impact on the demand for thermal insulation materials, but some sources have noted an increase in their proposals and implementation predzakupok amid growing spot styrene prices both in Europe and in Asia.

Many market players expect further growth of contract prices of raw materials – styrene – in February, although there are some in the market who doubt this and prefer to postpone the purchase of material in the hope that they will be able to get better prices.

In January, the brand of EPS for the packing are in the range of EUR1 705-1 740 per tonne FD NWE (delivery in North-Eastern Europe), while the prices for high-impact brand up EUR1 715-1 745 per tonne FD NWE. Refractory same brand of EPS are at the level of EUR1 725-1 770 per tonne FD NWE.

According to the price review ICIS-MRC, the Russian market spot prices of expandable polystyrene were stable last week. Purchasing activity of the local processing companies seasonally low. Sellers are seeing an increase stocks of polystyrene. Volumes of use of EPS not fall in January, with significantly lower shipment. Also, market sources report that this year buying activity in December and January, much worse than the same period a year earlier. Sources in the market associated with a drop in sales of seasonal downtime in the construction sector.