US OLEFINS
Spot activity is expected to be slow early in the week with much of the industry attending the AFPM International Petrochemical Conference in San Antonio, trade participants said. However, sources added that they were expecting March US propylene contracts to be finalized at a 3-cent decline from February contract prices by this week. Early settlements emerged on Friday. If the 3-cent decline is accepted by a majority of the market, it would take polymer-grade propylene contracts to 35.50 cents/lb and chemical-grade propylene contracts to 34 cents/lb.
US POLYMERS
After US polypropylene prices increased slightly last week, PP spot could retreat as March comes to a close on the heels of a 3-cent decline for the propylene monthly contract price. PP spot prices held relatively firm for most of the month, even against ample supply and muted demand. But sources anticipate an uptick in demand for PP, perhaps beginning as soon as this week before increasing incrementally in April.
US VINYLS
US export polyvinyl chloride prices were expected to be stable this week in a range of $780-$790/mt FAS Houston as negotiations for April pricing were under way. Asian producers sharply reduced offers for April volumes last week, and US market participants say that bearish sentiment has been pervasive in April pricing talks for US volumes. Logistics snarls at US ports, mainly in Houston, have hampered PVC outflows, causing backups that can last up to 60 days on top of robust inventories of product purchased in previous months. US export PVC prices have settled at rollover levels in February and March, but market participants expect producers will have to lower prices for April, as they have export volume availability despite several turnarounds in the first three months of 2019.
US STYRENICS
US benzene prices were expected to remain relatively firm ahead of the settlement of the April contract price. Sources anticipated a gain from the March contract, which settled at 202 cents/gal. March imports were markedly lower and were estimated at just under 30,000 mt. Downstream, spot styrene prices were expected to remain firm amid ongoing tightness. Sources said the market will continue to face logistical constraints associated with higher water levels.
