Prices fell in the Asian butadiene markets in the week endedMay 3 amid weaker demand on poor downstream profitability.Buyers cited eroded margins in derivative sectors such asbutanediol and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, saying that pricesof butadiene remained too high for it to be profitable.The key downstream rubber market saw limited changes weekon week, with sources citing tepid demand and low restockingactivity.The current tight supply would likely ease going into June asmost regional turnarounds would have ended, reducing supportfor current price levels, according to market participants.Support from the feedstock market was also limited asnaphtha marked its second consecutive day of falls. The feedstock market also showed limited support as naphtha marked its second consecutive day of falling prices.
Asian Butadiene Daily Rationale
The CFR Northeast Asia assessment fell $10/mt to $1440/mt due to a...