Polyurethane feedstocks May 2013: Solid benzene price stabilises MDI / TDI and Polyole down / Public holidays slow down orders / Demand below expectations / Increase effect Upstream

Polyurethane feedstocks April 2013: Global weakening of European petchems creates downward pressure / Demand falls as supply lengthens / Trend likely to continue

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2013: MDI and TDI sideways / Olefins pull polyols up / Prompt supply despite maintenance / Weather pressures demand / Building season and new quarter could drive

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2013: Steep hike plans firm the market / MDI and TDI with slight gains / No supply bottlenecks despite maintenance / Order volume still flat / Seasonal demand could drive prices

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2013: First hike plans successfully parried / MDI and polyols in a weak rollover / TDI firmer / Supply adequate to demand / Q1 price rounds are still open

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2012: Weak rollovers dominate the picture / End to building season and automotive slowdown pressure volumes / Firm benzene adds to costs / Hike plans for Q1

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2012: Slight uptrend for TDI, rigid polyols / Weak rollover for MDI, flexible polyols / Maintenance helps cushion demand softness / Prices could stay firm into New Year

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2012: Q3 rally lingers on the market fringes / Large TDI accounts see sharp rise / Specified MDI and polyols make gains / Q4 hikes still being pursued / Regional differences

Polyurethane feedstocks in September 2012: Upstream price driving TDI and MDI sharply upward / MDI in a strong rollover / Improved demand / Lingering maintenance turnarounds / Steep hikes in Q4

Polyurethane feedstocks in August 2012: Slow holiday demand neutralises cost pressures / MDI and TDI in weak rollover / Flexible polyol notations pointing down / Producers intent on raising prices

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2012: Petrochemical slump pressures polyols / MDI and TDI in strong rollover / Despite lower output, no supply bottlenecks / Demand down slightly / Rising prices upstream drive

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2012: Most MDI, TDI and polyol notations roll over / First signs of seasonal downturn / Maintenance cycle causes small TDI bottlenecks / Polyol prices could follow olefins downward

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