Polymer Prices Polyurethanes

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

Polyurethane feedstocks April 2010: Producers' spring offensive drives notations / Raw materials bottlenecks and plant shutdowns / Demand from building and industrial sectors / Trend pointing upward

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2010: TDI and polyols point upward on tightening feedstocks and maintenance turnarounds / MDI makes little progress / Slack ordering / Season kick-off with sharp increases

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2010: Downward momentum halted / MDI shows marginal decline / TDI makes up lost ground / Polyols firm / Smooth supply situation / Automotive picks up / Price hikes in March?

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2010: Most prices lose ground as the new year begins / Long inventories pressure MDI and flexible polyols / Building weak / Automotive still lively / Pressure mounts to pass on costs

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2009: Most products see a rollover / End-of-season closeout sales keep MDI producers on their toes / Slacker demand in short month / Inventory control / Cost rises trigger hike plans

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2009: Tight TDI sees biggest increase / MDI holds up well against seasonal pressure / Polyols firm despite falling costs / Supply is mostly balanced / Stability likely at year's end

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2009: Triple-digit rise for TDI and flexible polyols / MDI with moderate rise / TDI tight / Demand picks up / Cold weather slows construction / Producers seek hefty increases