Asian Toluene - FOB Korea up $49-54/mt Week on Week amid
tight supply■ Toluene ends week above benzene, close to PX■ Low supply from Korea because of maintenance turnaroundsAs tight supply and persistent demand
continue their support of prices, Asian toluene saw a $49-54/mt increase in
price this week to $996.50-1030.50/mt FOB Korea. FOB sellers in Northeast
Asia are currently targeting prices higher than $1,000-1,040/mt. Some buyers in
Southeast Asia held back as these levels were coupled with high freight rates.
Prices were considered high because of this combination. Toluene FOB Korea was $887.33-920.50/mt FOB Korea and
paraxylene prices at $1069.33-1100.50/mt CFR Taiwan/China. This leaves little
margin for toluene disproportionation. A
trader stated this week that South Korea's October and September supply was
limited due to maintenance. Korea
Petrochemical Industrial Corporation (or KPIC) plans to close...