Ethylene prices gain in Northeast Asia

On Wednesday, ethylene prices edged higher in Northeast Asia, while remaining stable in Southeast Asia.

CFR North East Asia ethylene prices on Wednesday were assessed at the USD 840-850/mt levels, a rise of USD (+5/mt) from Tuesday’s assessed levels. An industry source in Asia while requesting to remain unidentified informed a Polymerupdate team member, "Ethylene prices in Northeast Asia saw an increase, backed by a rise in local purchasing sentiments. The price increases were additionally consistent with a slight uptick in upstream crude prices.”

Meanwhile, CFR South East Asia ethylene prices on Wednesday were assessed at the USD 825-835/mt levels, day on day stable.

In plant news, PetroChina Fushun Petrochemical is heard to have halted operations at its cracker for maintenance earlier this week. However, the exact date and duration of the shutdown could not be confirmed, and no official statement from an authorized source has been obtained. Located in Liaoning, China, the cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 850,000 mt/year.