Sharp rise in price volatility since 2015 / Market turmoil batters traditional trade structures / New Chinese capacities loom / Europe's importance shrinks
Since 2015, the volatility of styrene monomer pricing in Europe has increased considerably. For many years, the derivative of benzene and ethylene has basically followed the movements of its dominant precursors along the oil and petrochemicals chain. A few years ago, with a rather abrupt onset, notations began gyrating in both directions, and the often pronounced leaps have played havoc with downstream markets. Movements in European benzene and styrene prices traditionally have been closely... (22.06.2018)