• China PE import prices mostly firmer, buying sentiment picks up

• SE Asia PE market supported by positive China market sentiment

• Some Middle East suppliers announced August offers this week

China’s PE import prices were mostly firmer in the week. Buying interest picked up along with gains in the local PE futures market after China announced stimulus policies to revive the economy, which supported market sentiment.

Southeast Asia’s PE import discussions were largely firmer, supported by a spillover of the positive market sentiment in China with buying activity also seeing a marked improvement compared with previous months.

Some major Middle East suppliers announced offers for August shipments this week. Many of the week’s transactions were concluded by traders while converters remained generally cautious, buying only what they needed to meet immediate stock requirements.

HDPE prices especially in Vietnam, jumped this week, driven by a sharp increase in offers and also amid perceived shortages of bimodal grade HDPE from a major supplier.

Early week transactions for HDPE film were at the low end of ranges before a sharp jump toward the end of the week.

LLDPE prices continued to lag the increase in HDPE in part due to the weak trend in LDPE prices.

OUTLOOK

• Asian supply to increase as units restart from maintenance shutdowns

• Buyers still cautious about longer term trend despite short-term bullish view

• Market to remain watchful of increased North American imports to China

LDPE

Click here for the list of deals and discussions for China and here for southeast Asia.

CFR China prices were based on deals.

CFR SE Asia dutiable prices were based on offers at the low end with the high end assessed in line.

CFR SE Asia non-dutiable prices were based on offers.

CFR Vietnam all-origins prices were assessed on selling indications at the high end with the low end assessed in line in the absence of deals.

LLDPE

Click here for the list of deals and discussions for China and here for southeast Asia.

The CFR China prices were based on deals.

CFR SE Asia dutiable prices were assessed on deals.

CFR SE Asia non-dutiable prices were based on bids and offers.

CFR Vietnam all-origins prices were based on deals and offers.

HDPE

Click here for the list of deals and discussions for China and here for southeast Asia.

HDPE FILM

The CFR China prices were based on deals.

CFR SE Asia dutiable price assessments were based on deals and offers.

CFR SE Asia non-dutiable prices were based on rangebound offers and selling indications.

CFR Vietnam all-origins prices were based on deals and offers.

HDPE INJECTION

HDPE low-MI and high-MI injection CFR China prices were based on deals at the high end with the low end assessed in line.

Dutiable and non-dutiable CFR SE Asia HDPE injection prices were assessed in line with dutiable and non-dutiable CFR SE Asia HDPE film assessments in limited price discussions.

The HDPE injection CFR Vietnam all-origins prices were assessed on offers at the high end with the low end assessed in line.

HDPE BLOW MOULDING

The CFR China prices were based on deals at the high end with the low end assessed in line.

Dutiable CFR SE Asia HDPE blow moulding prices were assessed on bids and offers due to limited deals concluded.

Non-dutiable CFR SE Asia HDPE blow moulding prices were assessed on deals at the high end with the low end assessed in line.

HDPE blow moulding CFR Vietnam all-origins prices were assessed in line with HDPE film CFR Vietnam in limited price discussions.

OTHER REGIONS

• TOPIC PAGE: War in Ukraine, gas crisis

• China weekly polyolefin inventories 

Europe

• LDPE spot shows signs of rebound, buyers unconvinced

• LLDPE and HDPE more opaque

• Suppliers continue to moot higher offers in August

PRODUCTION

Blue: expected capacity Green: online Orange: scheduled shutdown Red: unscheduled shutdown

Click here for the ICIS Live Supply Disruption Tracker.

UPSTREAM

• Click here for the Asia feedstocks and petrochemicals weekly summary.

• Ethylene vs SE Asia LLDPE price spread was wider this week

• Ethylene vs NE Asia LLDPE price spread held up above the threshold level

Feedstock Spread – Ethylene and LLDPE SE Asia

Feedstock Spread – Ethylene and LLDPE NE Asia