Asian Markets
December 10, 2018
Chinese TDI Update
Why the TDI Price Move in a Different Pattern This Year?
2018-12-04 [Source:PUdaily]
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- Price movement throughout the year
The pattern of global TDI price movement for the full year takes shape as the year of 2018 is drawing to an end. This year, both prices in Renminbi and dollar terms show a downward trend. This is mainly because the facilities of BASF in Germany (with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons) and Sadara in Saudi Arabia (with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons) started normal operation, leading to increased global supply. On the other hand, due to the slowing global economy and growing uncertainties, the growth in demand slows, putting downward pressure on the prices.
But the Renminbi price and dollar one show different patterns of decline. Overall, the dollar price drops sharply. In contrast, the decline of Renminbi price is slower. In May and August, the price even bounced back. But in September and October, on the news that Wanhua put its new facilities into production, the price fell sharply. The patterns of decline are different because few of the additional TDI products from Germany and Saudi Arabia entered China as they mainly went to foreign markets. From January to September, over 11,000 tons of goods from Saudi Arabia entered China, only accounting for about 1% of domestic TDI consumption. This means limited impact on domestic demand and supply. In addition, it is worth mentioning that China exported more than 66,000 tons of TDI for the January-September period, decreasing by about 22% from the same period last year.
- Average price for the full year
The table below shows the TDI average price for 2017-2018. As for the average prices in Renminbi terms, the lower price is offered by Chinese manufacturers in east China, and the higher price is offered by foreign producers in Shanghai. In terms of the average prices in dollar terms, they reflect the price of goods sold in southeast Asia by Japanese and South Korean manufacturers. From the table it can be seen that although the global TDI price is on a downward trajectory, the average price remain high throughout the year, suggesting that TDI manufacturers can still make decent profits. Besides, benefitting from the faster decline in raw material cost than in sponge price the profits of downstream manufacturers rally. However, the dealers are faced with a difficult situation this year. The distinct pattern of price movement compared with the previous years and growing uncertainties have made their decision-making on trading more difficult. As a result, it is harder for them to make a profit.
| 2018 (January-November) | 2017 (January-November) | Change | |
| Average price in RMB | 29,080-29,864 | 31,087-31,802 | -6% |
| Asian average price in USD | 3,667-3,802 | 3,790-3,904 | -3% |
3.Recent price movement
The recent TDI price has broken the law that the price will surely fall after it consolidates for a while. In the second half of November, the price neither went up nor fell. It didn’t go up because whether Wanhua would put into production its new facilities remained uncertain. And it didn’t fall due to short supply of goods from Shanghai. During the second half of the month, the trading remained thin and the market players were pessimistic about the future. The long sideways movement suggests that currently balance has been struck between supply and demand. The future movement of the price depends more on supply and demand than market players’ mentality.
http://www.pudaily.com/News/NewsView.aspx?nid=75067
December 10, 2018
Chinese TDI Update
Why the TDI Price Move in a Different Pattern This Year?
2018-12-04 [Source:PUdaily]
share:
- Price movement throughout the year
The pattern of global TDI price movement for the full year takes shape as the year of 2018 is drawing to an end. This year, both prices in Renminbi and dollar terms show a downward trend. This is mainly because the facilities of BASF in Germany (with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons) and Sadara in Saudi Arabia (with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons) started normal operation, leading to increased global supply. On the other hand, due to the slowing global economy and growing uncertainties, the growth in demand slows, putting downward pressure on the prices.
But the Renminbi price and dollar one show different patterns of decline. Overall, the dollar price drops sharply. In contrast, the decline of Renminbi price is slower. In May and August, the price even bounced back. But in September and October, on the news that Wanhua put its new facilities into production, the price fell sharply. The patterns of decline are different because few of the additional TDI products from Germany and Saudi Arabia entered China as they mainly went to foreign markets. From January to September, over 11,000 tons of goods from Saudi Arabia entered China, only accounting for about 1% of domestic TDI consumption. This means limited impact on domestic demand and supply. In addition, it is worth mentioning that China exported more than 66,000 tons of TDI for the January-September period, decreasing by about 22% from the same period last year.
- Average price for the full year
The table below shows the TDI average price for 2017-2018. As for the average prices in Renminbi terms, the lower price is offered by Chinese manufacturers in east China, and the higher price is offered by foreign producers in Shanghai. In terms of the average prices in dollar terms, they reflect the price of goods sold in southeast Asia by Japanese and South Korean manufacturers. From the table it can be seen that although the global TDI price is on a downward trajectory, the average price remain high throughout the year, suggesting that TDI manufacturers can still make decent profits. Besides, benefitting from the faster decline in raw material cost than in sponge price the profits of downstream manufacturers rally. However, the dealers are faced with a difficult situation this year. The distinct pattern of price movement compared with the previous years and growing uncertainties have made their decision-making on trading more difficult. As a result, it is harder for them to make a profit.
| 2018 (January-November) | 2017 (January-November) | Change | |
| Average price in RMB | 29,080-29,864 | 31,087-31,802 | -6% |
| Asian average price in USD | 3,667-3,802 | 3,790-3,904 | -3% |
3.Recent price movement
The recent TDI price has broken the law that the price will surely fall after it consolidates for a while. In the second half of November, the price neither went up nor fell. It didn’t go up because whether Wanhua would put into production its new facilities remained uncertain. And it didn’t fall due to short supply of goods from Shanghai. During the second half of the month, the trading remained thin and the market players were pessimistic about the future. The long sideways movement suggests that currently balance has been struck between supply and demand. The future movement of the price depends more on supply and demand than market players’ mentality.
http://www.pudaily.com/News/NewsView.aspx?nid=75067
November 30, 2018
China Introduces Standards for Athletic Surfaces
China Introduces Mandatory Standard for Synthetic Sports Surfaces Used in Schools
China’s new mandatory standard for synthetic surfaces used in sports areas for primary and secondary schools came into effect on November 1, 2018. 
- (1888PressRelease) November 30, 2018 – China has introduced a mandatory standard for synthetic surfaces used in school sports venues. Since November 1, 2018, the standard – GB 36246-2018 – has been compulsory for all synthetic sports surfaces used in primary and secondary schools.
Initially published in May 2018, GB 36246-2018 ‘Sports areas with synthetic surfaces for primary and middle schools’ replaces the recommended but voluntary standard GB/T 19851.11-2005 ‘Sports equipment and playground for middle school and primary school Part 11: Synthetic surfaced athletic ground’.
The standard applies to new, renovated and expanded outdoor sports venues containing synthetic surfaces for competition, training, teaching and other activities in primary and secondary schools. It defines specific requirements and includes requirements related to design, installation, physical and mechanical properties, aging resistance, hazardous substances, and odor in synthetic materials, finished products and raw materials. It also covers sampling requirements, rules for inspection and standard methods.
Limits for hazardous substances include:
• DBP, BBP and DEHP: ≤1.0 g/kg (sum of 3 phthalates)
• DNOP, DINP and DIDP: ≤1.0 g/kg (sum of 3 phthalates)
• 18 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs):
o ≤ 50 mg/kg (sum of 18 PAHs)
o ≤ 20 mg/kg for the top 5 mm of the surface material (sum of 18 PAHs)
• Benzo [a] pyrene: ≤ 1.0 mg/kg
• Short chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-C13): ≤ 1.5 g/kg
• 3,3′-Dichloro-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (MOCA): ≤1.0 g/kg
• Free toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and free hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI): ≤ 0.2 g/kg (sum of TDI and HDI)
• Free diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI): ≤ 1.0 g/kg
• Soluble lead: ≤ 50 mg/kg
• Soluble cadmium: ≤ 10 mg/kg
• Soluble chromium: ≤ 10 mg/kg
• Soluble mercury: ≤ 2 mg/kgThe limits for hazardous substance emissions are:
• Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC): ≤ 5.0 mg/m²h
• Formaldehyde: ≤ 0.4 mg/m²h
• Benzene: ≤ 0.1 mg/m²h
• Toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene: ≤ 1.0 mg/m²h (sum of 3 solvents)
• Carbon disulfide: ≤ 7.0 mg/m²hFinally, the odor level must be below or equal to 3.
SGS Sport & Leisure Services
SGS’s global network of testing facilities and comprehensive customized services will help manufacturers of sporting and leisure equipment development safe and compliant products. Their range of services include testing for regulatory compliance, performance evaluation, product certification, technical assistance and training. Learn more about SGS’s Sport & Leisure Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/hardgoods/sport-and-leisure]SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full China Publishes Mandatory Standard for Synthetic Surfaces in School Sports Venues SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/11/safeguards-15018-china-publishes-mandatory-standard-for-synthetic-surfaces-in-school-sports-venues]
Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Geng Lu
Senior Technical Manager
Tel: 86(021) 6115 2240
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlinesAbout SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world. - https://www.1888pressrelease.com/china-introduces-mandatory-standard-for-synthetic-sports-sur-pr-648000.html
November 30, 2018
China Introduces Standards for Athletic Surfaces
China Introduces Mandatory Standard for Synthetic Sports Surfaces Used in Schools
China’s new mandatory standard for synthetic surfaces used in sports areas for primary and secondary schools came into effect on November 1, 2018. 
- (1888PressRelease) November 30, 2018 – China has introduced a mandatory standard for synthetic surfaces used in school sports venues. Since November 1, 2018, the standard – GB 36246-2018 – has been compulsory for all synthetic sports surfaces used in primary and secondary schools.
Initially published in May 2018, GB 36246-2018 ‘Sports areas with synthetic surfaces for primary and middle schools’ replaces the recommended but voluntary standard GB/T 19851.11-2005 ‘Sports equipment and playground for middle school and primary school Part 11: Synthetic surfaced athletic ground’.
The standard applies to new, renovated and expanded outdoor sports venues containing synthetic surfaces for competition, training, teaching and other activities in primary and secondary schools. It defines specific requirements and includes requirements related to design, installation, physical and mechanical properties, aging resistance, hazardous substances, and odor in synthetic materials, finished products and raw materials. It also covers sampling requirements, rules for inspection and standard methods.
Limits for hazardous substances include:
• DBP, BBP and DEHP: ≤1.0 g/kg (sum of 3 phthalates)
• DNOP, DINP and DIDP: ≤1.0 g/kg (sum of 3 phthalates)
• 18 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs):
o ≤ 50 mg/kg (sum of 18 PAHs)
o ≤ 20 mg/kg for the top 5 mm of the surface material (sum of 18 PAHs)
• Benzo [a] pyrene: ≤ 1.0 mg/kg
• Short chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-C13): ≤ 1.5 g/kg
• 3,3′-Dichloro-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (MOCA): ≤1.0 g/kg
• Free toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and free hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI): ≤ 0.2 g/kg (sum of TDI and HDI)
• Free diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI): ≤ 1.0 g/kg
• Soluble lead: ≤ 50 mg/kg
• Soluble cadmium: ≤ 10 mg/kg
• Soluble chromium: ≤ 10 mg/kg
• Soluble mercury: ≤ 2 mg/kgThe limits for hazardous substance emissions are:
• Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC): ≤ 5.0 mg/m²h
• Formaldehyde: ≤ 0.4 mg/m²h
• Benzene: ≤ 0.1 mg/m²h
• Toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene: ≤ 1.0 mg/m²h (sum of 3 solvents)
• Carbon disulfide: ≤ 7.0 mg/m²hFinally, the odor level must be below or equal to 3.
SGS Sport & Leisure Services
SGS’s global network of testing facilities and comprehensive customized services will help manufacturers of sporting and leisure equipment development safe and compliant products. Their range of services include testing for regulatory compliance, performance evaluation, product certification, technical assistance and training. Learn more about SGS’s Sport & Leisure Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/hardgoods/sport-and-leisure]SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full China Publishes Mandatory Standard for Synthetic Surfaces in School Sports Venues SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/11/safeguards-15018-china-publishes-mandatory-standard-for-synthetic-surfaces-in-school-sports-venues]
Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Geng Lu
Senior Technical Manager
Tel: 86(021) 6115 2240
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlinesAbout SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world. - https://www.1888pressrelease.com/china-introduces-mandatory-standard-for-synthetic-sports-sur-pr-648000.html
November 28, 2018
Chinese TDI Update
TDI Prices in China Increase as BASF Halts Production in Germany

(Yicai Global) Nov. 28 — Prices of toluene diisocyanate, a key ingredient in producing flexible polyurethane foams, have increased in China on the back of a halt to production at a plant in Germany belonging to chemical giant BASF.
BASF stopped production at its 300,000 tons per year TDI plant in Ludwigshafen on Nov. 26 due to the low water levels in the River Rhine and the restart date hasn’t been decided, reported Shanghai Securities News.
In the Chinese market, Covestro’s latest guidance price for TDI from its Shanghai plant is CNY23,000 (USD3,307) per ton, an increase of CNY1,000 per ton compared with last week, and it also halted production earlier in the month to overhaul its equipment.
The world’s TDI production capacity was about 2.9 million tons last year, and TDI is in short supply now because some facilities have stopped operations.
TDI is in short supply because plants have been pre-selling it for destocking and there are no stocks available in the short-term, Guotai Junan Securities said, predicting the shortage and price hikes will continue.