The North American manufacturer of expandable polystyrene (PSV-C), Styropek, announced an increase in December PSV-S delivery prices for North American countries, ICIS reported citing a producer’s letter to customers.

The price increase will come into force on December 1, 2017 and will be 4 cents per pound (USD88 per tonne).

The growth in prices for PSV-S is caused by the increased quotations of the main raw materials components – benzene and styrene.

Previously NOVA Chemicals, one of the world’s largest producers of polyolefins, announced an increase in December prices of 5 cents per pound or USD110 per tonne for modified and standard PSV-C grades, as well as for PSV-C food grade for cup production.

In the Russian market, PSV-S, according to the Price Review of ICIS-MRC, there remains a good demand. The representative of SIBUR-Khimprom reported that demand in early November is at a level not lower than summer. The deferred demand in the market remains. Manufacturer Plastic (Uzlovaya) launched the production of PSV-S after the modernization period. New PSV-S batches began to enter the market at prices of 100,000-106,000 rubles. per ton, CPT Moscow, including VAT. According to the manufacturer’s forecast, the cost of PSV-S will remain unchanged until the end of the year. The material, according to the manufacturer’s representative, is not delayed in the warehouse.

The main producers of PSV-S in North America are Dart Polymers, Flint Hills Resources, Grupo Idesa, Nexkemia Petrochimie, Nova Chemicals, Plasti-Fab, StyroChem International and Styropek.