AKRON, OHIO — Different price directions for North American polystyrene and PVC are featured in this week's Material Insights video.
Regional PS prices increased by 2 cents per pound in May, while PVC prices fell by a similar amount. Shifts in demand affected both markets, while higher prices for benzene feedstock played a role in the PS market.
Another downstream move by materials maker RTP Co. also is featured in this week's video. RTP earlier this year began commercial sheet production at a plant in its hometown of Winona, Minn. The firm now is operating three sheet lines there, making sheet based on PP, acrylic and similar materials. Previously, RTP bought a film business in 2006 and bought an additional film plant in 2009. The firm ranks as one of North America's 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers.
The video wraps up with news that China's Dalian Commodity Exchange will begin offering PP futures later this year. The exchange has offered LLDPE futures since 2007 and PVC futures since 2009. Officials with the exchange said its futures prices have been in line with Chinese spot prices for those materials.