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Styrene Market Backwardated to January  | Additional imports are challenged by high freight

Styrene Market Backwardated to January | Additional imports are challenged by high freight

Nov 11, 2022

- Styrene Market Backwardated to January- Additional imports are
challenged by high freight





The spread between styrene and benzene in
the European market narrowed slightly on Nov. 10 as the styrene market remained in
a backwardation structure intoJanuary.The spread was assessed at $304.50-320.50/mt on Nov. 10, below the $400-$500/spread referenced as necessary for production
since gas prices have pushed upward beginning in late 2021. Styrene prices
strengthened this week amid concerns over immediate availability as more
European production capacity was heard to be missing due to an unplanned outage. The rise in styrene prices has led to a discussion
about potential arbitrage opportunities for styrene between the US and Europe. This seemed
possible on paper but high freight rates and a backwardated marketplace made it
impossible, a trader stated.