Ethylene markets in Asia were quite as most Western and European markets were on holidays. In US steam cracker margins climbed on higher spot prices and chemical plant outages. Paraxylene contract price for January was to be settled late week end, though players expect it to be at US$1,600 a ton or above. In Europe, activity in the paraxylene spot market remained subdued while spot price inched up over the week. In US, spot paraxylene was lower as feedstock mixed xylenes fell similarly. Mono eth

Benzene prices in Asia hit all-time high on tight spot supply as market continued to be bullish. Thus, 2012 ended with benzene prices jumping 35-40% across markets. In Asia, they were up 38% clocking high and lows of US$1,000 a ton and US$1,480 a ton respectively. They first began to firm in mid-August when a spate of scheduled and unplanned shutdowns in China resulted in a large supply deficit. In Europe, benzene was dearer by 36% during the year while US market saw benzene price go up 39%. C

Propylene was the driving factor to the operating rates in the downstream facilities in Asian markets this week. Many market participants feel that propylene is going to be limited, and it will not be surprising that the new plants will not going to be able to run at 100%. In US, propylene spot prices jumped after news of plant outage and traded higher on Wednesday amid news of an unplanned outage at a plant in Texas. Acrylonitrile markets rolled over as downstream lagged behind with growing s

The downtrend in viscose staple fibre markets stopped but they failed to take a bigger surge although prices moved up a bit. Some producers saw good sales/production ratio and many received orders after raising offers successfully. Downstream market still resisted new prices, so there was a broad flexibility in discussions. In contrast, viscose filament yarn markets headed down as downstream producers kept run rate normal and had no interest to buy due to lack of orders. Viscose producers focu

The US cotton futures notched its biggest one-day fall in five weeks and hitting two-week lows as investors continued to take profits to multi-month highs earlier in the week. The most-active March cotton contract on ICE Futures US settled down US cents 1.52 per pound week on week. The Cotlook A index also sobered US cents 0.10 during the week. The China Cotton Index was up 64 Yuan a ton. In India, cotton price changed a little on the either sides as mills and exporters demand remained normal

Pure cotton yarn prices were generally steady, though prices for sporadic specs were reduced. Market sentiment continued to deteriorate amid firming cost as cotton yarn prices failed to follow up, resulting in poorer margins among mills. In China, Jiangsu and Zhejiang market saw some specs priced slightly higher despite persistent declines in overall trade volume. In Pakistan some spinning mills were selling at low prices in a bid to withdraw fund. Hike in polyester staple fibre pushed polyester

The dip in temperatures across north India has added to the worries of the textile traders in Surat as the demand for man-made fabrics has also taken a plunge. The fabric wholesalers are more concerned about clearing their stock of woollen and cotton wear. The textile city of Surat which houses about 75,000 shops in over 140 textile markets located on Ring Road and in Salabatpura area supply more than Rs 50 crore worth of saris and dress materials per day to key markets in New Delhi, Uttar Pra

Unless there is demand for cotton in overseas markets, which seems unlikely at the moment, cotton prices are likely to remain stable. Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint Firm cotton yarn prices are likely to help textile mills spin better fortunes in the quarters ahead. At around Rs.200 per kg, the price of cotton yarn has gained almost 24% since January 2010. The outlook may get even better if the forecast of cotton surplus both in Indian and global markets becomes a reality. This will help lift the

The Japan Spinners’ Association reported that the nation’s imports of pure cotton yarn in November 2012 increased by 646 bales or 2.4% from the previous month to 27,139 bales. Of this, combed yarn rose by 994 bales or 9% to 12,071 bales. Because cotton yarn has entered a demand season, imports are moving vigorously as usual. By country, pure cotton yarn imports from Indonesia decreased by 548 bales or 5.5% to 9,424 bales, and those from Pakistan also declined by 851 bales or 9.9% to 7,725 bale

Sri Lanka Export Development Board has drawn up a five year strategic plan to facilitate investments in modern technology for fabric production and textile processing and Human Resource Development by granting initial period of protection for domestic purchases of products of right quality and price. This measure will enhance textile manufacturing and processing sector to reach a target of 30 million metres (10 million kgs) and to bring in new areas of technical textiles to reach an export targ