MOSCOW (MRC) -- European market of polystyrene (PS) remains tight, according to suppliers.
Current high prices put pressure on the purchases of polystyrene. Buyers and converters consider such level of prices groundless, which soon will make converters either reduce the purchases volumes, or to look for an alternative feedstock. The latter especially refers to the market of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), which competes in some sectors of processing with ABS and PET.
Some market participants have noted that in September, the price of polystyrene for traders increased more significantly than for the direct buyers of the material.
The September price of polystyrene for direct buyers increased by EUR70-80/tonne, while prices for traders increased by EUR100/tonne.
Producers deny the price disbalance between the different types of customers.
Preliminary increase was announced at EUR100/tonne, but then the price of material grew not so significantly. Last week the discount for medium and small volume purchases did not exceed 2% from the announced price of the material.
MRC