US propylene contracts see first price increase in nine months: sources

June 29, 2020 0 5

Highlights

June PGP contract settles at 26.5 cents/lb, up 0.5 cent

Contract prices linger at 11-year lows

Houston —
June US propylene contract prices settled a half-cent higher than May contract prices June 29, trade participants said.

The settlement marks the first price increase since September 2019, S&P Global Platts data showed.

The increase brought the US June polymer-grade propylene contract price to 26.5 cents/lb and chemical-grade propylene contract price to 25 cents/lb, the sources said.

The settlement was in line with market expectations of a price increase.

PGP and CGP contract prices remain at an 11-year low, however, and were last lower January 2009 at 22 cents/lb and 20.50 cents/lb, respectively, according to Platts data.

The increase comes as spot propylene prices have climbed 27% month-on-month June 29 and more than 50% since the year-to-date low of 18.625 cents/lb March 23.

US spot PGP was assessed June 29 at 28 cents/lb, up 1.125 cents from June 26.