Polymer Prices Polyurethanes

Polyurethane feedstocks in May 2012: MDI in a strong rollover / TDI up by triple-digit figures as supply tightens / Polyols softer / Building season picks up in NWE / Risk of hikes despite sinking costs

Polyurethane feedstocks in April 2012: MDI prices take another step forward / TDI cauldron still bubbling / Polyols swept upward to record heights / Isocyanate supply tighter in May / Notations continue firm

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2012: Seasonal influences spark demand / TDI producers see triple-digit gains, MDI and polyols up by single-digit figures / Producers will seek further margin gains in April

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2012: Notations rise across the board / TDI gains further momentum / MDI and polyols also move forward / Robust demand for flexible polyols / Supply and cost issues drive

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2012: TDI reverses and points upward /MDI and polyols in strong rollover / Balanced supply, improved demand / Only building still soft / MDI producers seek fresh hikes

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2011: MDI numbers capped at the top / TDI still pointing slightly downward / Polyols tending toward a rollover / Softer demand / Higher costs drive price hike initiatives

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2011: MDI and polyols in moderate fall / TDI sees triple-digit plunge / MDI imports rising / TDI clearly in oversupply / Demand weakens / Rollover looks shaky

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2011: Disciplined producers retain some cost relief to pad margins / Same strategy is planned for November / Demand improves as Q4 gets under way

Polyurethane feedstocks in September 2011: Oversupply hits TDI / Producers retain part of cost advantage for MDI and polyols / Supply lengthens as demand recedes / Margin improvement through price hikes?

Polyurethane feedstocks in August 2011: Expensive base materials pressure long TDI / Benzene surge leaves MDI cold / Flexible polyols down slightly / Maintenance shortfall will hit resurgent demand next month

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2011: Monomer decline ends price rally / MDI in a strong rollover / Moderate losses for TDI, polyols / Vacation season dampens demand / Lower costs improve flexibility

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2011: Polyols hikes all go through / MDI rises more moderate / TDI continues sideways / Supply somewhat tight / Order volume good / Prices may not follow petchem drop

Polyurethane feedstocks in May 2011: Margins on polyols improve further / Pure MDI moves up, TDI sideways / Many buyers on allocation / Order volume robust / No price hikes announced for June

Polyurethane feedstocks in April 2011: Low quarterly notations make a sudden leap / Rises hit TDI and polyols / Increasing demand from the building industry generates bottlenecks / Solid orders for long month of May / Calls for significant hikes

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2011: MDI takes a giant step forward / TDI sees minimal gains / Cost pass-through for polyols / High starting materials prices limit PU output / Demand becoming more dynamic / Calls for hikes despite stagnating costs

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2011: Cost pressure drives MDI and polyols / Downturn in TDI ends / Producers unable to pass on all hikes / Unusually strong demand / Heightened risk of increase in March

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2011: Higher costs have limited effect on polyols / MDI in weak rollover / TDI slips again / Plants in winter mode / Sluggish demand / Producers likely to seek hikes soon

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2010: Only pure MDI moves up / Renewed margin loss for TDI / Polyols flat despite higher costs / Output improves / Winter halts building / Will producers recoup costs?

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2010: MDI and polyols stagnate / TDI still in free fall / Healthy supply situation / Flagging seasonal drivers and stock-reducing activities dampen demand / Prices could soften

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2010: MDI still points up / TDI comes down after battles for market share / Polyols flat despite turbulence / MDI tends tight / TDI long / Costs bite in Q4

Polyurethane feedstocks in September 2010: MDI prices rising / TDI and polyols weaken / Stable production levels ensure slight surplus / Demand begins to cool down / Little support for increases

Polyurethane feedstocks in August 2010: Summer lull has a stabilising effect / Some MDI and polyol grades up slightly / TDI still moving sideways / Supply gradually improves / Renewed price increases for MDI and TDI

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2010: Building boom fuels MDI and polyols again / TDI moves sideways at high level / Allocation still the rule / Heated demand / Upswing likely to continue despite summer holidays

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2010: Seasonal demand drives MDI and polyols upward / TDI firm at a high level / Outages shorten supply in several production stages / Demand strong / Risk of increases in July

Polyurethane feedstocks May 2010: Stagnating costs stabilise prices / Bank holidays dampen demand / Feedstock shortages and maintenance limit supply / Risk of price hikes up to the end of Q2