Weather-related production issues are lending support to spot European PVC prices and pushing up pricing ideas for February contract price negotiations, sources said Wednesday.
Suppliers, buyers and distributors all agreed that the market is currently "balanced to tight," having previously been long.
They pointed to the recent force majeures declared by Arkema and by Solvin, the BASF and Solvay PVC joint venture, due to adverse weather conditions.
Solvin declared force majeure on PVC production from it 400,000-475,000 mt/year plant at Jemeppe in Belgium and its 240,000 mt/year plant at Tavaux in France early last week due to the freezing conditions, while Arkema declared a force majeure out of its 290,000 mt/year plant in Berre, France.
Neither company has said when it expects to lift the force majeures.
The impact of these supply constraints has helped push the spot market higher, with business being done at around Eur830-850/mt FD NWE Wednesday, according to sources.
The gross German contract price was assessed Wednesday at Eur1,085/mt FD ($1,419/mt), while the European spot market was assessed at Eur837.50/mt FD NWE.
Given the change in the market, prices for additional volume are having to be renegotiated, one trader said, adding that "it would be done on a case-by-case basis based on how much additional volume [above regular intake] is being sought, given concerns for some March pre-buying."
For February contract price negotiations, meanwhile, converters said increases are being talked around the Eur60-75/mt mark.
At least one producer said he had reassessed the floor previously set for his February CP increase nomination from Eur75/mt to Eur100/mt since last week, in light of the current market situation.
An NWE producer said he had decided to "stop offering [to Turkey] because of an increased order book in Europe." Trading sources in Turkey confirmed that there has been a reduced offering of European origin material in Turkey since last week following the announcement of force majeures by PVC producers Arkema and Solvin.
CFR Turkey was assessed Wednesday at $1,092.50/mt.
