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Prices remain stable amid muted activity / Cheaper Asian imports affect demand for European ABS

Prices remain stable amid muted activity / Cheaper Asian imports affect demand for European ABS

May 02, 2024

The spot European prices of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene remained stable during the week ending May 1. There was a low level of activity due to the Labor Day holiday. In Asia, the same market activity was observed with Chinese participants absent from the market because of the Labor Day Holiday. According to a source European ABS plants have lower operating rates, around 65%. One source said that "demand is terrible". The source said that customers are purchasing Asian imports at competitive prices. Volumes from Korea were available for around $1,650/mt CFR NWE, according to the source. Recent upstream styrene activity was muted as participants waited for the industry-settled contract price of benzene for May. On April 30, the industry-settled contract price for benzene for May was $1,197/mt.