S030121.pdf11/26/2019: November acetone related MMA contracts settled 2 cts/lb lower at 32.50 cts/lb delivered barge.
11/22/2019: November US propylene contract prices initially settled down 2.5 cts/lb, which moves polymer grade to 35 cts/lb and chemical grade to 33.50 cts/lb.
09/25/2019: PBF Energy announced a 3 cts/lb toluene and 2 cts/lb MX increase to both end users and distributors effective October 1st. It cited current spot barge pricing and snug supplies as factors for the adjustment.
09/24/2019: Sources confirm September acetone related MMA contracts settled at 34.50 cts/lb delivered barge, up 1.75 cts/lb from the August settlement. The increase follows an uptick in refinery grade propylene railcar prices in recent weeks.
09/19/2019: Because of rainfall and flooding, ExxonMobil has shuttered its petrochemical operations in Beaumont, TX and is considering a shutdown of its 370,000 bpd refinery.
09/17/2019: ExxonMobil notified customers that it will increase its MEK price 7 cts/lb effective September 24th.
09/17/2019: Citing market conditions and escalating upstream costs, ExxonMobil notified customers that it will increase various aromatic and aliphatic prices 7 cts/lb effective September 24th. Products impacted by the increase include ARO 100, ARO 150, ARO 150 ND, A200, regular mineral spirits, OMS, hexane and heptane.
Calumet announced 3 cts/lb list and off-list increases for most of its aliphatic products effective September 24th, including regular mineral spirits, hexane, and heptane.
09/17/2019: Tauber will increase its toluene and MX prices by 3 cts/lb and 2 cts/lb respectively effective September 20th.
08/29/2019: Mitsui & Co notified customers that effective September 1st it will increase its MEK price 5 cts/lb. The announcement follows a similar adjustment made by ExxonMobil, which increased its MEK price 5 cts/lb on August 22nd.
07/31/2019: The US Department of Commerce announced preliminary antidumping duties on acetone from Singapore and Spain, but did not issue affirmative findings against Belgium, South Africa or South Korea. Duties for acetone imports from Singapore will range between 66.42% and 131.75% and from Spain between 137.39% to 171.81%. A final determination is expected around October 16, 2019. If affirmative it will make its final injury determination near November 29th.
07/24/2019: A large buyer confirmed settling its July acetone related MMA contract price at 34 cts/lb, flat from the June settlement.
07/11/2019: Tauber announced it will increase its toluene and MX prices 2 cts/lb effective July 15th in response to strengthening spot barge markets.
06/26/2019: June acetone related MMA contracts settled 2.25 cts/lb lower at 34 cts/lb delivered barge according to a large buyer.
The June polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts settled 3.50 cts/lb lower at 36.50 cts/lb and 35 cts/lb respectively.
06/21/2019: Matrix Chemical announced it will increase its acetone offers 5 cts/lb effective July 1st or as contracts allow. It cited increased spot barge and import prices as the primary factor for the adjustment, noting that most lower-cost product had been absorbed into the market and that its truck and railcar pricing needed to reflect replacement economics.
05/22/2019: The May acetone related MMA contract settled at 36.25 cts/lb, up from 35.50 cts/lb in April.
05/20/2019: Eastman and Sasol announced 3 cts/lb and 5 cts/lb MIBK increases respectively effective June 1st.
04/25/2019: April acetone related MMA contracts settled 2.50 cts/lb higher at 34.50 cts/lb according to several sources, including a large buyer.
04/12/2019: PBF Energy notified customers that it will increase its toluene price 2 cts/lb effective April 18th in response to firming spot barge levels and regional economics.
03/29/2019: Citgo announced it will increase off-list prices for various aliphatics (including hexane, heptane and several grades of mineral spirits) by 3 cts/lb and toluene and MX by 5 cts/lb effective April 6th.
03/19/2019: An extensive fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in Houston, TX that is currently impacting at least eight tanks prompted the company to declare force majeure. Tauber notified customers that it will supply toluene from Catlettsburg, KY in the meantime.
In addition, flooding in the Midwest along the Missouri, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers is impacting vessel, barge, and rail traffic. Both situations will continue to be monitored and updates will be provided.
02/28/2019: Tauber and The Plaza Group both announced they will increase their toluene and MX prices by a penny and 3 cts/lb respectively effective Friday, March 1st.
02/26/2019: In response to stronger spot barge values Citgo and PBF Energy announced March toluene and MX initiatives. PBF Energy notified consumer and distribution customers it will move its toluene and MX offers up 2 cts/lb and 6 cts/lb respectively effective March 1st. Citgo will increase its off-list toluene and MX prices 2 cts/lb and 5 cts/lb respectively effective March 2nd.
02/22/2019: Citgo will increase the off-list prices of various aliphatic products 3 cts/lb effective March 2nd. Products that will be impacted include hexane, heptane, 142 Solvent and some grades of mineral spirits.
02/22/2019: The Coalition for Acetone Fair Trade (consisting of AdvanSix, Altivia, and Olin) on February 19th submitted to the US Department of Commerce and the US international Trade Commission a petition to impose antidumping duties on US imports of acetone from Belgium, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain.
02/14/2019: Tauber modified its initial February 18th MX increase from 2 cts/lb to 3 cts/lb. It confirmed that it will move its toluene price up a penny and its MX offers up 3 cts/lb on February 18th.
11/29/2018: November acetone related MMA contracts settled over 10 cts/lb lower at 44 cts/lb delivered barge reported sources today. October large buyer contracts settled at 54.50 cts/lb and 54.85 cts/lb.
11/01/2018: October acetone related MMA contracts settled at split levels of 54.50 cts/lb and 54.85 cts/lb. The September contract settled at 54.25 cts/lb.
10/04/2018: Calumet announced it will increase various aliphatic prices (including hexane, heptane and various grades of mineral spirits) 4 cts/lb effective October 15th.
Ineos announced plans to expand its phenol capacity at its Mobile, AL plant by 310,000 mt/yr to 850,000 mt/yr, which will make it the largest plant in the world. A projected start-up date is 2021.
09/26/2018: Tauber announced it will increase its MX price 1.50 cts/lb effective October 1st.
09/21/2018: The Plaza Group announced in response to further strengthening in spot barge markets it will increase its MX price 2 cts/lb effective September 26th.
09/12/2018: Tauber announced it will move its toluene and MX prices up 1 cts/lb and 2 cts/lb respectively effective September 17th. The increases follows the 1 cts/lb toluene and 3 cts/lb MX hikes it implemented on September 1st.
08/21/2018: Calumet notified customer it will increase its list and off-list hexane and heptane prices (and all blends containing these products) 3 cts/lb effective August 24th.
07/25/2018: Calumet notified customers that it will increase all aliphatic solvents, including hexane and heptane, by 3 cts/lb effective August 3rd.
07/11/2018: A confluence of factors pushed MX spot barge prices higher earlier in the week, most notably an outage at Phillips 66’s Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The refinery shut down after an injury to a contract worker. No details have emerged on when the refinery will restart. MX spot barge prices surged to $2.79/gal FOB USG, up 11 cts/gal from Monday’s assessed value.
06/15/2018: Monument notified customers that it will increase all grades of IPA by 4 cts/lb and MIBK by 5 cts/lb effective July 1st.
06/14/2018: Due to rising refinery grade propylene costs, Matrix Chemical announced it will increase its acetone price 7 cts/lb effective July 1st.
06/08/2018: Dow announced it will increase its IPA and MIBK prices by 4 cts/lb and 5 cts/lb respectively effective July 1st.
05/31/2018: Citgo notified customers that it will increase its off-list aliphatic products on June 6th. It will move offers for some products (including rubber solvent, camping fuel, textile spirits, Naphthol spirits 66/3, mineral seal oil, nonexempt mineral spirits, VM&P, mineral spirits 75, mineral spirits 66/3, 142 solvent, Citgo Solvent 500, and mineral spirits 150) up 3 cts/lb. It will increase its hexane and heptane (as well as lactol spirits and special lactolite) up 5 cts/lb.
05/24/2018: Total notified customers it will increase its ARO 100 and ARO 150 prices 2 cts/lb effective June 1st.
05/18/2018: PBF notified customers today, May 18th, that effective immediately it is eliminating the allocation that was placed on toluene and MX sales. It noted that its shutdown was completed and it is operating at planned rates.
05/18/2018: Matrix Chemical announced it will move its acetone price up 5 cts/lb effective June 1st in response to firming feedstock costs.
05/17/2018: In response to increased costs several sellers announced June 1st nominations.
Monument will increase its IPA and MIBK prices by 3 cts/lb and 4 cts/lb.
Eastman announced a 4 cts/lb MIBK hike.
Lyondell announced a 3 cts/lb IPA increase.
Dow plans to increase both its IPA and MIBK prices by 4 cts/lb.
05/16/2018: The Plaza Group will increase its toluene and MX prices 2 cts/lb effective May 17th.
05/16/2018: Citgo announced it will increase its toluene and MX prices 3 cts/lb effective May 19th in response to higher costs, limited supply, and healthy demand from gasoline blenders.
05/14/2018: Tauber announced a 2 cts/lb toluene and MX increase effective May 17th.
05/10/2018: Calumet announced it will increase list and off-list prices for various aliphatic products, including hexane, heptane, and regular mineral spirit, by 3 cts/lb (20 cts/gal) effective May 21st.
05/01/2018: Matrix Chemical will increase its acetone price 4 cts/lb effective May 15th in response to rising costs.
Tauber increased its toluene and MX prices by a penny effective today, May 1st.
04/16/2018: Total notified customers in a letter today that it will increase its ARO 100 and ARO 150 prices 2 cts/lb effective May 1st due to increasing feedstock costs.
04/05/2018: Calumet announced it will move prices for various aliphatics up 3 cts/lb (20 cts/gal) effective April 23rd. Some of the products impacted by the increase include various grades of mineral spirits including regular mineral spirits.
03/22/2018: The March propylene contract settled down 6 cts/lb. The decrease moves polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts to 47 cts/lb and 45.50 cts/lb respectively.
02/21/2018: The Plaza Group announced 2 cts/lb toluene and 3 cts/lb MX hikes effective February 26th.
02/21/2018: Citgo notified customers that it will move its off-list toluene and MX prices up 2 cts/lb and 3 cts/lb respectively effective February 25th.
02/20/2018: Tauber announced it will increase its toluene and MX offers by 2 cts/lb and 3 cts/lb respectively effective February 22nd, moving its posted prices to 41 cts/lb for the former and 42 cts/lb FOB USG for the latter.
02/01/2018: Tauber added a penny to its original February 1st toluene and MX hikes. It moved its toluene and MX prices up 2 cts/lb and 3 cts/lb respectively to 39 cts/lb FOB for both products.
Celanese increased its MIBK price 7 cts/lb effective today, February 1st, according to a letter to customers dated January 31st.
01/26/2018: Citgo notified customers that it will move its toluene and MX prices up 2 cts/lb effective February 3rd. It cited higher spot barge prices as the primary factor behind the adjustments.
Citgo will also increase its off-list aliphatic prices including various grades of mineral spirits, hexane, and heptane by 3 cts/lb effective February 10th.
Monument Chemical will move its MIBK price up 7 cts/lb effective February 1st.
Sasol will increase its acetone and MIBK prices 6 cts/lb effective February 1st.
Eastman will move its MIBK price up 5 cts/lb effective February 1st.
01/25/2018: Tauber will increase its toluene price a penny and its MX offers 2 cts/lb effective February 1st.
Initial January polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts have settled up 9 cts/lb at 59 cts/lb and 57.50 cts/lb respectively amid tight supply.
01/24/2018: Total notified its solvents customers in a letter dated January 23rd that it will increase all aromatic products by 2 cts/lb effective February 1st.
01/20/2018: PBF Energy announced that it will increase its toluene and MX prices to US and Canadian consumer and distribution accounts by 2 cts/lb each effective January 24th. It cited current spot barge pricing and regional economics as factors for the adjustment.
12/29/2017: Dow notified customers it will increase the prices of many products in its portfolio on January 15th. It will move its MIBK and all grades of IPA up 5 cts/lb.
Ineos and Sasol will move their acetone prices up 4 cts/lb and 3 cts/lb respectively on January 1st.
12/27/2017: Citgo notified customers it will move its toluene price up 3 cts/lb and its MX offers up 2 cts/lb effective January 7th.
12/15/2017: Citgo notified customers on December 13th that hexane will not be available for purchase until further notice following an unplanned outage at its Lemont refinery that impacted its inventory.
12/14/2017: PBF Energy announced it will increase its toluene price by 3 cts/lb and its MX price by 2 cts/lb effective December 19th because of stronger USG spot barge levels and regional supply and demand economics.
Calumet notified customers that in response to elevated crude and clean product values it will move most of its aliphatic prices, including regular mineral spirits, 3 cts/lb higher on January 8th, 2018.
12/13/2017: Matrix Chemical announced a 3 cts/lb acetone increase effective January 1st, 2018 in response to rising propylene costs and firming Asian prices.
12/13/2017: Sources report that Citgo is experiencing operational issues at its Lemont, IL refinery that impacted the production of some aliphatic products, which has prompted the refiner to cancel or delay orders until further notice. The products impacted by the outage include:
142 Solvent 66/3
Naphthol Spirits 66/3
Mineral Spirits 66/3
Special Naphtholite 66/3
Citgo Solvent 500
11/29/2017: Tauber announced it will increase its toluene price 2 cts/lb effective December 1st.
10/27/2017: The October acetone related MMA contract settled at 49.75 cts/lb, up .25 cts/lb from the September settlement.
10/26/2017: ExxonMobil announced it will increase its MEK price 10 cts/lb effective November 1st.
10/04/2017: Ineos Phenol notified customers it will increase its acetone price 6 cts/lb on October 6th.
09/21/2017: September acetone related MMA contracts settled up 9 cts/lb at 49.50 cts/lb according to a large buyer.
09/07/2017: Monument lifted its force majeure on its chemicals, but notified customers on September 5th that it will continue to enforce sales control measures on various products, including IPA and MIBK. Details on the limits were not specified. It also notified customers that effective September 15th it will move its IPA prices up 6 cts/lb and its MIBK offers up 8 cts/lb.
09/06/2017: Citgo will move its off-list toluene and MX prices up 2 cts/lb effective September 12th in response to higher blendvalues.
09/03/2017: Shell announced force majeure on phenol and acetone from its Deer Park, Texas plant because of flooding from Harvey. In its letter to customers it did not provide an estimate to restart or resume normal production.
Lucite continues its force majeure at its Beaumont, TX plant. It will not resume shipping product until two days after restarting production, which it estimates will be in mid to late September.
Sasol announced an 8 cts/lb MIBK increase effective September 5th. It will also be monitoring sales and limiting customers to contractual or target volumes for the next 60 days.
Dow notified customers it will move its MIBK price up 8 cts/lb and all grades of IPA up 6 cts/lb effective October 1st.
09/01/2017: ExxonMobil is implementing various levels of sales control measures on all hydrocarbon fluids following a controlled shutdown of its Baytown, TX refinery due to Harvey. It is limiting sales to the lesser of the monthly contract minimum or the monthly average (between May and July) of purchases. It is supplying trucks only out of its Channahon, IL; East Liverpool, OH; Bayonne, NJ; and Tuxpan, Mexico terminals. It noted that all orders received but not shipped will be limited. All marine orders are canceled or deferred.
The following products are being allocated at:
ARO 100 – 40%
ARO 150 – 55%
Heptane – 50%
Hexane – 0%
Varsol products between 0 and 35%
MEK – 50%
Monument Chemical announced force majeure on all products produced in Houston and Baytown, TX.
Eastman announced an 8 cts/lb MIBK increase effective September 1st.
08/30/2017: Lyondell declared force majeure on IPA from its Channelview, TX plant after halting production because of Hurricane Harvey.
Many other plants and refineries are down because of the storm. Outages include the following plants or facilities:
ExxonMobil’s Baytown, TX facility
Dow’s Freeport, TX steam cracker
Shell’s Deer Park, TX site
The Corpus Christi refineries of Flint Hills, Citgo, and Valero
AdvanSix notified customers it will increase its acetone price 6 cts/lb on September 1st in response to rising raw material costs.
08/25/2017: Ineos announced it will increase its acetone price 6 cts/lb effective September 1st.
Matrix Chemical also announced it will move its acetone price up 5 cts/lb on September 1st. It cited increased costs because of production interruptions in the Midwest, sustained feedstock costs, and elevated spot barge values.
08/24/2017: Initial August polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts settled up half a penny at 39.50 cts/lb and 38 cts/lb respectively.
08/23/2017: A large buyer confirmed settling its August acetone related MMA contracts with two sellers at a rollover from July’s price at 40.50 cts/lb.
08/18/2017: Tightening global supply following the fire at Shell’s Pernis plant prompted a flurry of MEK announcements. ExxonMobil announced a 10 cts/lb increase for August 15th and another 10 cts/lb hike effective August 25th. Sasol also moved its price up 10 cts/lb on August 15th and announced a subsequent hike of 10 cts/lb for September 1st. Shell announced a 10 cts/lb increase effective August 25th.
In response to firming energy and clean product values Citgo announced aromatic and aliphatic increases for this month. On August 20th it will increase both its toluene and MX prices by 2 cts/lb. Effective August 27th it will move its aliphatic offers, including various grades of mineral spirits, hexane, and heptane, up 3 cts/lb.
08/14/2017: Citgo notified customers that it will increase toluene price 2 cts/lb and its MX offers at both its Chicago and Texas City terminals by 2 cts/lb effective August 20th.
Tauber announced it will move its toluene offers up 1 cts/lb and its MX prices 1.50 cts/lb higher effective August 21st.
Firming spot barge values in the USG because of elevated energy values and tightening supply were the factors behind the nominations.
08/11/2017: The Plaza Group, an international marketing company of refinery and petrochemical products based in Houston, announced that it will acquire Conchemco, a Dallas-based marketer and distributor of chemicals and solvents. No additional details were released in the press statement.
08/09/2017: PBF Energy announced it will increase its toluene and MX prices to end users and distributors 2 cts/lb effective August 15th. In its letter dated August 9th, it reported that the hikes are in response to stronger spot barge prices arising from elevated blendvalues and tighter supply.
07/28/2017: In response to elevated energy and spot barge values, PBF Energy announced a penny MX increase effective August 2nd. Tauber also announced it will move both its toluene and MX prices up a penny effective August 1st.
07/22/2017: A large buyer confirmed settling two July acetone related MMA contracts with its sellers at 40.50 cts/lb, up half a penny from June levels.
07/14/2017: A typo correction – the chemical grade propylene contract reached an initial settlement up half a penny at 37.50 cts/lb, not 38.50 cts/lb as previously stated.
07/14/2017: July polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts reached an initial settlement up half a penny at 39 cts/lb and 38.50 cts/lb respectively.
07/14/2017: Argentinian company, Carboclor, faced protests at its Campana plant on July 13th after firing 128 workers. The protestors blocked the entrance to the plant essentially halting business. The company, which has been suffering financial losses for four years, recently announced restructuring measures that include closing plants at the Campana unit that manufacture oxygenated solvents (including 45,500 mt/yr of IPA) and aliphatic and aromatic products.
6/16/17: Calumet announced a 2.50 cts/lb (17 cts/gal) increase for various aliphatic products effective July 1st, not 25 cts/lb.
4/27/17: In a letter to customers, ExxonMobil announced it will increase all grades of hexane and heptane 5 cts/lb effective May 3rd in response to upstream cost increases.
4/19/17: A large buyer confirmed settling its April acetone contracts at 48.50 cts/lb, down 5.25 cts/lb from the March level.
3/17/17: A large buyer confirms an initial March acetone related MMA settlement at 53.75 cts/lb, up 4.75 cts/lb from the February settlement of 49 cts/lb.
03/08/2017: Ineos announced a 4 cts/lb acetone increase effective March 13th. In a letter dated March 7th the producer communicated the increase and noted that the 3 cts/lb TVA it announced in a January 30th letter remains in effect.
03/03/2017: ICC and Matrix Chemical notified customers they will increase their respective acetone prices 5 cts/lb effective March 15th due to increased feedstock costs.
03/02/2017: Dow notified customers it will increase its off-list IPA prices (anhydrous, USP, and semi-conductor grades) by 5 cts/lb effective March 15th. ExxonMobil will move its ARO 100 and ARO 150, regular mineral spirits, and OMS prices up 3 cts/lb effective March 8th according to a letter to its hydrocarbon fluid customers dated February 28th.
03/02/2017: Effective February 28th PBF Holding Company began allocating toluene and MX sales to 20% of average actual purchased volumes from November 29, 2016 through February 27, 2017. In a letter dated February 27th, PBF Holding Company informed customers of an unplanned outage that impacted its Toledo, OH refinery. The duration of the outage and the sales control measures was unknown. Mitsui & Co announced a 5 cts/lb MEK increase effective March 1st. It also advised that it has removed the two 2 cts/lb TVAs it announced in February.
02/24/2017: The Plaza Group notified customers that it will increase its acetone price 5 cts/lb effective March 1st. It also noted that the 5 cts/lb TVA it announced on January 20th remains in effect.
02/20/2017: A large buyer confirmed its February acetone related MMA contract settlement at 49 cts/lb, an increase of 14 cts/lb from the January price of 35 cts/lb.
02/10/2017: Mitsui & Co. announced a 7 cts/lb MEK increase with a concurrent 2 cts/lb TVA (for a net increase of 5 cts/lb) effective February 15th. This increase is addition to the 5 cts/lb it put in place on February 1st. The 2 cts/lb TVA announced for February 15th is in addition to the 2 cts/lb TVA it announced for February 1st.
02/01/2017: Further escalation in raw material and import costs prompted Mitsui & Co. to withdraw its previous nominations and announced new price hikes. It has replaced its previously announced acetone increase of 7 cts/lb with a new adjustment of plus 17 cts/lb. There is a concurrent 2 cts/lb TVA for a net increase of 15 cts/lb effective February 1st. It adjusted its February 1st MMA increase to 20 cts/lb compared with its initial nomination of 7 cts/lb. Its MEK price hike remains unchanged at 7 cts/lb with a concurrent 2 cts/lb TVA for a net increase of 5 cts/lb. Matrix Chemical announced it will increase its acetone price 6 cts/lb effective February 15th. It moved its acetone offers up net 6 cts/lb today via a 10 cts/lb increase with concurrent 4 cts/lb TVA. It noted to customers that the 4 cts/lb TVA remains in effect. \
01/31/2017: ICC Chemical notified customers today that it will increase its acetone price 15 cts/lb effective tomorrow, February 1st in response to firming propylene costs. The letter also stated it will continue to limit purchases to historical volumes.
01/27/2017: Sasol announced it will increase its MEK price an additional 3 cts/lb effective February 1st. It notified customers that the February 1st increase is in addition to the 3 cts/lb that will take effect tomorrow, January 28th. ExxonMobil notified customers it will increase its IPA price 7 cts/lb and its MEK offers 3 cts/lb effective February 1st.
01/25/2017: PBF Energy notified customers today that it will move its toluene and MX prices up 3 cts/lb effective February 1st. It reported that the hikes were in response to stronger spot barge prices. Lucite International declared force majeure on methyl methacrylate on January 23rd. It notified customers on January 10th that extreme weather disrupted production at its Memphis plant and resulted in sales control measures. Additional and unforeseen mechanical failures, according to its release, resulted in the plant being shut down for repairs. The unplanned outage depleted its inventory and upon the restart of its plant it will resume shipments on a “fair and reasonable basis and in compliance with applicable contract terms”.
01/20/2017: Rising costs prompted a flurry of nominations for various products. Please see below for specific details. Sasol notified customers it will move its acetone price up 13 cts/lb effective January 23rd. It had previously announced a 3 cts/lb increase scheduled for January 28th on January 13th and on Thursday, January 19th it announced an additional 10 cts/lb increase to take effect that same date. Dow nominated 7 cts/lb IPA and 5 cts/lb MIBK hikes effective February 1st. Lyondell announced a 7 cts/lb IPA increase that will take effect on February 3rd. Due to rising feedstock costs Matrix Chemicals announced a 10 cts/lb acetone increase with concurrent 4 cts/lb TVA effective February 1st. The increase follows the 4 cts/lb hike it implemented on January 16th. It noted that it would likely pull the TVA or announce additional February hikes if propylene prices continue to firm. Citgo notified customers via letter it will move its off-list toluene and MX prices higher on January 29th. It will increase its toluene price 3 cts/lb and its MX prices from both Chicago and Texas City terminals by 5 cts/lb. Rising spot barge prices also prompted Tauber to announce 1.50 cts/lb toluene and 3 cts/lb MX hikes effective Monday, January 23rd.
01/17/2017: Ineos Phenol announced an additional January acetone increase. It notified customers it will move its acetone price up an additional 5 cts/lb effective January 23rd. This is in addition to the 4 cts/lb increase it put in effect on January 13th. The letter also detailed that a 3 cts/lb TVA remains in effect. Sasol announced a 5 cts/lb MIBK increase effective February 1st.
01/14/2017: Correction: Mitsui & Co announced 7 cts/lb acetone and 5 cts/lb MEK hikes with concurrent 2 cts/lb TVAs for net increases of 5 cts/lb and 3 cts/lb respectively effective February 1st.
01/13/2017: The Plaza Group announced a 5 cts/lb acetone hike effective February 1st in a letter to customers dated January 13th.
01/13/2017: Mitsui & Co announced several solvent increases effective February 1st. It notified customers it will move its acetone price up 5 cts/lb with a concurrent 2 cts/lb TVA for a net 3 cts/lb increase. It plans to increase its MEK prices 3 cts/lb with concurrent 2 cts/lb TVA for a net penny hike. It also nominated a 7 cts/lb MMA increase.
01/09/2017: PBF Energy notified customers in a letter dated January 6th that it will increase its toluene and MX prices by 2 cts/lb and 4 cts/lb respectively effective January 14th. It cited increased spot barge prices as the primary factor behind the announcement.
01/09/2017: In response to rapidly escalating feedstock costs, ICC and Matrix Chemicals notified customers they will increase their respective acetone price 4 cts/lb effective January 16th.
01/06/2017: Citgo announced it will increase its off-list aliphatic solvent prices 5 cts/lb effective January 22nd. The hike will impact prices of hexane, heptane, and various grades of mineral spirits.
12/30/2016: Tauber and Conchemco confirmed they will increase their respective toluene prices by one penny effective January 1st.
12/16/2016: An initial December acetone related MMA contract settled at 29.75 cts/lb according to a large buyer, down 5.25 cts/lb from the November settlement of 35 cts/lb.
12/15/2016: PBF Energy will increase its toluene price 4 cts/lb to customers in the US and Canada effective December 19th. In a letter dated December 14th it notified customers that the hike was due to firming spot barge values resulting from tightening supply and elevated upstream values. Calumet announced an across the board increase of 5 cts/lb for its aliphatic solvents including hexane, heptane, and regular mineral spirits effective January 15th.
12/14/2016: ExxonMobil notified customers in a letter dated December 13th that in response to escalating feed values it will increase its hydrocarbon (including regular mineral spirits, OMS, toluene, and MX) prices 5 cts/lb effective December 21st.
12/08/2016: Tauber announced it will increase its toluene and MX prices by 4 cts/lb and 1 ct/lb respectively effective December 12th.
12/06/2016: Dow announced it will increase its IPA (various grades including USP, semi-conductor, anhydrous, and ACS) and MIBK price 5 cts/lb on January 1st. Monument also notified customers it was increasing the price differential between its electronic and USP grades of IPA to 3 cts/lb. It attributed the need to establish the differential to offsetting costs associated with testing, record keeping, and regulatory compliance.
11/18/2016: A large seller and buyer settled their November acetone related MMA contract price at 35 cts/lb, down from 42 cts/lb in October according to a source. The settlement was not confirmed by either of the two parties involved.
11/07/2016: PBF Energy notified customers on November 4th that it will increase its MX price 5 cts/lb effective November 10th.
10/13/2016: A large acetone buyer confirmed settling its October contract with a seller at 42 cts/lb, up .25 cts/lb from its September settlement.
09/28/2016: Monument Chemical notified customers it will move its IPA price up 3 cts/lb effective October 7th.
09/28/2016: Several sellers announced additional October nominations after increasing prices by around 15 cts/lb in September through early and midmonth hikes. ExxonMobil and Dow notified customers in letters dated September 27th that they will increase prices for all grades of IPA by 3 cts/lb effective October 5th and October 12th respectively. Shell previously announced it will move its IPA 99 and IPA USP grades prices 3 cts/lb higher on October 4th. Tauber confirms it will increase its MX prices by a penny on October 1st in response to elevated spot barge values.
09/27/2016: Conchemco confirms it will increase its mixed xylene (MX) price by 1 ct/lb effective October 1st.
09/16/2016: A large buyer confirmed settling its September acetone related MMA contract at 41.75 cts/lb, up from 33.75 cts/lb in August.
09/16/2016: Sasol notified customers that it will move its acetone and MIBK off-list prices up 5 cts/lb and 7 cts/lb respectively effective October 1st. Monument also announced a 7 cts/lb MIBK hike effective October 1st.
09/14/2016: Today ICC Chemical and Matrix Chemical both announced they would increase their respective acetone prices by 4 cts/lb effective October 1st. The announcements cited firming propylene costs and ongoing tightness.
09/02/2016: Phillips 66 notified customers in a letter dated August 31st that it will increase its hexane, commercial grade heptane, ultra-low aromatic heptane (ULACH), N-pentane, isopentane, and pentane blend prices by 3 cts/lb effective September 8th. Dow announced that it will increase its off-list IPA prices by an additional 10 cts/lb on September 15th in a letter dated September 1st. The increase is in addition to the 5 cts/lb increase it announced on August 17th for September 15th.
09/01/2016: ExxonMobil notified distribution customers that it will increase its IPA price 10 cts/lb effective September 8th in response to elevated feedstock costs in a letter dated August 31st. The producer moved its IPA price up 5 cts/lb on August 25th. Dow announced an off-list IPA price hike of 5 cts/lb effective September 15th. Calumet announced a 2 cts/lb across the board aliphatic hike for its Cotton Valley and San Antonio aliphatic solvents effective September 8th. Citgo notified customers on Monday that it will adjust its hexane and heptane prices, as well as offers for various grades of mineral spirits, up 2 cts/lb on September 12th.
08/22/2016: Lyondell notified customers in a letter dated August 17th that it will increase its IPA price 5 cts/lb on September 1st. Supporting the increase, and similar hikes announced by other suppliers, were reports that the August polymer and chemical grade propylene contracts settled 3.50 cts/lb higher at 37 cts/lb and 35.50 cts/lb respectively.
08/18/2016: ExxonMobil notified distribution customers that effective August 25th it will move its IPA price up 5 cts/lb. It attributed the increase to firming feedstock costs.
08/16/2016: Ineos Phenol announced it will increase its acetone price to solvent and distribution customers by 4 cts/lb effective August 29th. In addition it informed customers in its August 15th letter that it will maintain the 3 cts/lb TVA it put in announced on January 30th. Monument notified customers on August 15th that it will move its IPA and MIBK prices, among other products, up 5 cts/lb effective September 1st.
08/06/2016: Ongoing tight supply in the Midwest and firming propylene costs prompted ICC Chemical and Matrix Chemical to announce 3 cts/lb acetone increases effective September 1st.
07/23/2016: The July acetone related MMA contract settled up a penny at 32 cts/lb according to a large buyer. A slight uptick in feedstock propylene and supply constraints were factors in the modest upward adjustment reported some sources.