The premium of US Gulf Coast spot mixed xylene to the blend value continued to climb Monday, calculated by Platts at 70.38 cents/gallon, the highest premium since February 4.
The premium had been on a steady upward march starting from July 20, when it was at 12.32 cents/gallon.
The mixed xylene assessment was at 430 cents/gallon FOB USG Monday, the highest price since May 10, after the only activity seen in the marketplace were August bids at 425 cents/gallon FOB USG. There were no offers or trades heard.
Mixed xylene was last heard traded Thursday at 422 cents/gallon FOB USG from Vitol to Kolmar and 425 cents/gallon FOB USG from ICC to Total.
Mixed xylene's recent strength was said by sources to be on market tightness as some major facilities were experiencing turnarounds.
Exxon is currently undergoing a turnaround at their facility in Baytown, Texas, that started Monday for six weeks, taking 17,900 barrels/day of annual mixed xylene production off the market during that time.
Shell will experience their own turnaround September 1 at their facility in Deer Park, Texas, for three weeks, taking 4,900 barrels/day of mixed xylene production offline.
Mixed xylene activity Tuesday in the marketplace again consisted of only August bids at 425 cents/gallon FOB USG.
