European Propylene: Lackluster
trading as demandremains limited■ Reduced run rates provide
some balance to fundamentals■ Market anticipates further
illiquidityThe European propylene market was lacked liquidity in the week
toNov. 11, with limited change in prices and fundamentals.Despite an ongoing
lack of spot activity, the market remainsrelatively balanced due to continued
reduced run rates from producersthroughout the European market, and limited
import activity.Participants also attributed the reduced market activity
todelayed November contract price settlement, which settled on Nov.3.
Participants throughout the propylene value chain also noted animpasse in the
aftermath of the late settlement, with consumersunclear regarding market
direction."The increase [in contract pricing] was unsatisfying…in the end
itsettled in the middle between consumer and producer perspectives,no one is
really happy about this," a producer said.This lack of change in market
dynamics...