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Benzene tight amid low run rates  | Styrene demand remains weak

Benzene tight amid low run rates | Styrene demand remains weak

Jun 26, 2023

- Benzene tight amid low run rates- Styrene demand remains weak



Spot European benzene prices steady June 22,
with values supported by tight conditions. One trader said that benzene availability had grown tighter
as demand for cumene and ethylbenzene for gasoline blending was indirectly
"eating up the supply of benzene." The supply situation was also exacerbated by low cracker run
rates in Europe, the source said. Styrene
demand from the downstream polystyrene sector was said to have remained weak,
with high inflation and interest rates impacting construction and consumer
demand for appliances. "Tanks are
full and there's no big demand," a distributor said. The source added that producers may make further cuts to
operating rates amid negative margins.