North American polystyrene prices trend higher in May, PVC prices fall
Plastic Recycling | 2013-06-07 11:45:02
The recent data published by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) shows that the North American polystyrene (PS) prices have gone up in May
By Paul Ploumis
WASHINGTON (Scrap Monster) : The recent data published by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) shows that the North American polystyrene (PS) prices have gone up in May, where as the PVC prices have moved in the opposite direction.
The PS prices have increased by 2 cents per pound in May. This is after a fall of 3 cents during April. Higher benzene feedstock prices contributed to the increase in PS prices. The benzene feedstock prices for the month of May have increased by nearly 3% month-on-month to touch $ 4.47 per gallon.
The PS prices had fallen by 5 cents during the period from January to April this year. The rise of 3 cents in May would still mean that the prices are down by 2 cents YTD. The benzene prices though rebounded in May are still down by 13% from their January levels. The demand of solid PS in electronic/electrical market went up by 12% during the initial four months of the year.
The PVC prices fell by 2 cents per pound during the month of May. The prices were up by 8 cents during the period from January to April. The decline of 2 cents would still mean that the prices are up by 6 cents per pound YTD. The lower PVC demand has forced the price to decline during May, says ACC report.
