Contract prices of polystyrene (PS) in Europe for the supply in August of last week remained unchanged the second week in a row on the back of stable styrene prices this month, according to ICIS.

European PS prices for deliveries in August were agreed at the level of EUR1 900-2 020 per ton, FD EU for general purpose polystyrene (PSS / M) and EUR1 990-2 110 per ton, FD EU for high-impact polystyrene (HIPS / M).

PS The market is now focused on the harmonization of styrene contract prices in September, and many expect that it will change if the price, is quite a bit. Spot styrene prices in August remained stable, including through export sales, helping to balance the accumulated stocks this month.

Rising prices of styrene in Asia last week, combined with higher raw material prices benzene levels are increasing pressure on the European styrene market.

As reported earlier MRC, spot styrene prices in China on August 19 reached the level of USD1 060 per tonne CFR China, which is on average USD1 025 per tonne higher than the level on 5 August. In this regard, some sellers have raised the price of PS USD10-20 per ton, while the other rolled over quotes from last week. Currently, PS prices in China are at USD1 150 per tonne CFR China in recent weeks, the price spread between the SS and quotes styrene is USD150 per tonne.

According to the price review ICIS-MRC, in the Russian polystyrene spot prices last week stabilized after a long decline over the previous two months. Russian companies did not revise the prices on the spot. Import quotations of polystyrene as a whole is also stable. Some price adjustments were imported brand MSS / M and MSS / M Styrolution production.