Despite being the off-season, Asian styrene (SM) prices have surged to a 10-year high this week. On December 11, the spot price reached $1,700 per ton (around €1,292) CFR to China, surpassing the previous peak of $1,670 per ton recorded in June 2008. This unexpected rise has caught many by surprise, especially given the typically weak demand during the fourth quarter.
Usually, the fourth quarter is considered a slow season for SM due to weaker demand from downstream industries like plastics. However, this year has been different. Since September, supply constraints have pushed prices higher, defying the usual seasonal trends. While other petrochemicals have seen price declines, SM has continued to climb.
In East China, coastal inventories dropped sharply from 151,000 tons at the start of February to 35,900 tons by the end of September. Although they rose slightly to over 40,000 tons in December, they still remain below the monthly average of 50,000–60,000 tons. This low inventory level has contributed to tight supply conditions in the region.
Weak profit margins, sluggish downstream demand, and limited arbitrage opportunities in the U.S. have further tightened the market. A South Korean trader noted that with production levels remaining low, supply shortages may persist into the first quarter of next year.
In South Korea, raw material prices climbed to $1,500 per ton FOB in December. SM producers are anticipating continued low profitability and restricted operating rates. A Japanese manufacturer shared that profits have shrunk significantly, and as a result, the industry expects an average plant operating rate of around 75% for 2013.
Market sentiment remains positive, with traders expecting prices to keep rising. Optimistic Chinese economic data from November, including a recovery in growth, has boosted confidence among SM traders. Additionally, increased demand for styrene-based plastics in late November has fueled speculation, suggesting that the Chinese economy might be stabilizing.
A Taiwanese buyer commented: “Some traders believe Chinese prices could rebound, but even with improved demand, it’s too early to talk about a significant price increase.â€
Looking ahead, market participants are cautiously optimistic. They expect demand for SM to pick up after the Lunar New Year in February, provided there are no major economic shocks or geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. For now, the market is watching closely as the trend continues to show strength.The corridor area is a large flow of people in the wet market and the ground is vulnerable to wear and tear, so it is particularly important to choose a suitable pvc floor mat. This hollow design of the hollow Non Slip Mats is very suitable for the corridor area of the wet market. The following is a brief introduction to the hollow Anti Slip Pvc Floor Mat. The first is its anti-slip design: the hollow anti-slip mat uses a special surface texture and material, which has excellent anti-slip performance. This design effectively prevents pedestrians from slipping in the corridor area and improves the safety of walking. Moreover, it is breathable: the hollow design of the floor mat allows air to circulate freely, helps to keep the ground dry, and reduces the growth of mold and bacteria, which is conducive to maintaining the cleanliness of the corridor area. Finally, its wear resistance, hollow non-slip mat made of wear-resistant materials, can withstand high intensity flow of people and friction, extend the service life, reduce ground wear.
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