Prices of polystyrene (PS) in the US in September rose by USD66 per ton due to higher prices of the four US manufacturers, according to ICIS, citing market participants.

Rising prices for raw materials and the limited supply of material contributed to this.

Offer PS market declined due to force majeure declared by Total Petrochemicals to supply PS with plant in Carville (Carville, Louisiana, United States). Force majeure was declared on June 27 in connection with the failure of a transformer from a local electricity supplier, which has led to an unplanned shutdown of the plant capacity 658 thous. Tons of PS in the year in Carville. The company has not yet lifted a force majeure on deliveries of the SS, although the last line in Carville resumed work on 12 August.

Total Petrochemicals announced a price increase in the polystyrene to USD66 per tonne for deliveries in September. In addition, the company also announced a price increase for USD66 per metric ton for deliveries in October.

On raising the prices of other producers was not known.

According to market participants, on PS demand in the US is high, which is typical in this period (September to November).

The major polystyrene producers in the US are Americas Styrenics, Group Idesa, INEOS Styrolution, Resirene and Total Petrochemicals USA.

According to the price review ICIS-MRC, in Russia’s internal polystyrene prices last week were stable after a significant decline. A slight decrease was observed in the STS / M market. Some traders lowered the upper limit of the price of 1000 rubles. per tonne in connection with the sale of old stock and the overall low demand in the market. At the same time, the lower limit of the price stability of polystyrene.
Import prices European polystyrene production increased amid rising contract prices in Europe in September. However, the Russian domestic market is still a downward trend.