Asian PS : Stable to-lower on week amid steady demand- Offers and trades at similar levels to last week- Input costs continue to put pressure on
marginsAsian polystyrene was assessed
stable-to-down-$10/mt in the week to March 1. General purpose
polystyrene was stable at $1.260/mt CFR China and $1.275/mt CFR Southeast Asia. Market participants noted a slow recovery in demand, and
that demand was stable over the week. HIPS
(high impact polystyrene) was slightly lower, falling $10/mt to $1,345/mt CFI
Southeast Asia and $1.330/mt CFI China. Margin
pressure has continued to be increased by HIPS's higher input costs in recent
weeks. "Our costs remain high. SM [styrene monomer] is still at higher levels and
[butadiene] rises every week. Producers
say it is difficult to lower the price. Multiple
market sources have observed that demand is still below expectations. Stability was...