ExxonMobil Chemicals and TPC Group nominated their respective January butadiene contract prices at 42 cents/lb and 41 cents/lb, up 3 and 2 cents, respectively, from their December contract price of 39 cents/lb, sources said Friday.
The other two major producers -- LyondellBasell and Shell Chemicals -- have not yet announced a nomination for January, sources said.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The nominated increases are above market expectations, which were for either a rollover in pricing from December or a slight increase of up to 1 cent/lb for January.
US spot butadiene import pricing on a three- to 30-day basis was last assessed Friday at 37.50-38.50 cents/lb ($827-$849/mt) CIF USG, flat week on week, based on pricing indications at 38 cents/lb and the last heard trade at a slight discount to the December contract price.
