US disproportionation economics improved slightly on the week as MSTDP margins rose near $8 to near $35.80/mt Monday morning, according to S&P Global Platts estimates.
MSTDP margins were at their highest point since February 8 as spot benzene prices posted gains with prompt pricing last assessed at 307 cents/gal DDP USG.
Meanwhile, spot toluene prices were down 6 cents since the beginning of the month and were last assessed at 272 cents/gal FOB USG. Economics for MSTDP operators were expected to improve as two major US producers were expected to restart production in March and this was expected to result in improved toluene supply and lower pricing.
US TDP margins saw a more substantial growth week on week, rising near $45 to be estimated at just under $6/mt Monday morning, according to Platts data.
TDP margins could see some improvement in the short term but were likely to face pressure on the back of softer mixed xylene prices as suppliers return from maintenance, bringing as much as 16,000 b/d into the market.
HDA margins were sharply negative as of Monday morning, estimated at near minus $60.50/mt, according to Platts data.
Looking forward, economics were likely to improve amid expectations of stronger benzene pricing. Benzene demand was expected to improve in March and April as three major styrene producers were poised to restart after planned and unplanned outages.
