POLYMERS - PVC

Tight supplies have kept PVC prices higher at US$1045/MT in Asia in the week of February 18, 2008. Prices have moved up, notwithstanding dull activity from buyers this week. Corresponding with higher feedstock VCM prices, most suppliers plan to hike March offers by about ten dollars. Better price realization from non-Asian countries by over twenty dollars has deviated South Korean cargoes from China, hence producers propose to reduce exports to the Chinese market. Chinese producers have reduced plant operating rates due to power supply shortage- this supply crunch in China has caused domestic prices to remain firm.