CHEM-NET FACTS

1 novemBER 2013

CHEMICAL MARKET INSIGHT AND FORESIGHT - ON A SINGLE PAGE

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Toluene
The US toluene price is reported at around
$3.55/gal. The whole aromatics complex
was facing downward pressure for November.
The October benzene contract price in the
US is down a modest 3 c/gal to $4.37/gal,
reflecting the relatively weak demand in the
market, balanced by limited supply. On the
spot market, benzene prices were at around
$4.05/gal on 30 October, according to
PetroChemWire. Toluene prices are falling
with aromatics and reflecting the seasonal
drop in demand for gasoline.

Sep-2013
/gal
385
380
$/ton
1150
$/ton
1140-1150

US PRICES
Nitration
Commercial
WEST EUROPE PRICES
Spot Rotterdam
ASIA PRICES
S Korea

Oct-2013
/gal
355
350
$/ton
1000
$/ton
1085-1095

Oct-2013
$/ton
1078
1063
/ton
733

FOB
FOB
FOB

Short-Term
Price Trend

FOB

US Dollars per Ton

TOLUENE PRICES : 2 YEAR SPAN

1750

European toluene prices are reported at

around $1000/ton for November, down over
$100/ton on price levels seen one month
earlier. The entire aromatics complex is under
pressure for October. European benzene
prices have fallen for October under contract
and spot price are also down about $100/
ton as sluggish downstream demand meets
adequate supply. The European benzene
contract price for October fell 51/ton to
926/ton. Toluene prices are softening as
demand for gasoline blend-stock from the US
diminishes with the end of the driving season.
Asian toluene prices have fallen $40-50/ton
in the last month in line with generally weaker
global markets. A short-lived spike in oil prices
in early October slowed the decline, but prices
slipped below the $1100/ton mark around
21 October. Benzene prices lost ground from
mid-month and were around $1210/ton fob
Korea by 24 October. Crude oil prices briefly
strengthened above $112/bbl in the second
week of October but then weakened steadily
later in the month. Regional toluene supply is
described as ample while demand is said to
be weak.

1500
1250
1000
750
500
ov
N

c
De

20

b
Fe

12

ar
M

r
Ap

ay
M

n
Ju

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Ju

g
Au

p
Se

ct

ov
N

c
De

Product

Location

Definition

Toluene
Toluene

United States
West Europe

Spot - Commercial FOB

Spot Rotterdam FOB

20

13

b
Fe

US Dollars per Ton

ar
M

r
Ap

ay
M

n
Ju

l
Ju

g
Au

p
Se

ct

TOLUENE PRICES : 10 YEAR SPAN

1750
1500
1250
1000
750
500
250
0
2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Product

Location

Definition

Toluene
Toluene

United States
West Europe

Spot - Commercial FOB

Spot Rotterdam FOB

2011

2012

2013

Short Term Price Trends

US prices could soften further with lower
benzene prices and weak demand as the end
of the driving season pushes back gasoline
and blend-stock demand.
European prices remain under downward
pressure, reflecting lower demand for gasoline,
primarily.
In Asia, weak global markets could put
downward pressure on regional prices.

US Dollars per Ton

TDI PRICES : 2 YEAR SPAN

4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
ov
N

c
De

20

12

b
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M

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ov
N

c
De

Product

Location

TDI
TDI
TDI
TDI

United States
DDP
West Europe
Contract Monthly DDP
Middle East & Africa CIF
China
CFR

20

13

b
Fe

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Definition

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