Shell Chemical nominated its June US butadiene contract prices down 40 cents/lb to $1.07/lb ($2,358/mt), several sources said Friday.
Producer confirmation was not available.
Market sources expected a decrease of as much as 20 cents for June contract prices compared with May, but sources said nominations have exceeded that expectation to discourage imports.
The NWE June butadiene contract price was fully done Eur400/mt lower to Eur1,850/mt FD NWE ($2,328/mt), a source at consumer Rhodia confirmed Friday.
Spot butadiene was assessed for CFR China at $1,960/mt Friday, but sources said a deal was done at $1,950/mt CFR China and offered as low as $1,900/mt CFR China on Friday.
US butadiene spot prices have dropped on continued weak demand and ample inventory levels, sources said.
US spot butadiene was assessed at $1.33/lb CIF US Gulf Coast on May 18 and was heard talked in the high $1.20s/lb CIF USG on Friday.
ExxonMobil nominated an 18-cent/lb decrease for June US butadiene contracts to $1.37/lb ($3,019/mt), and TPC Group nominated a 35-cent/lb decrease to $1.10/lb ($2,424/mt) for June US butadiene contracts, sources said. ExxonMobil and TPC Group declined comment. LyondellBasell had not nominated yet, sources said.
The US butadiene contract price for May settled 7 cents lower to a $1.45-$1.55/lb ($3,195-$3,416/mt) split settlement, sources said. ExxonMobil settled at $1.55/lb, Shell Chemical and LyondellBasell settled at $1.47/lb and TPC Group settled at $1.45/lb, sources said.
Producer confirmation was unavailable.
