London — The startup of normal operations at Sibur’s new 100,000 mt/year dioctyl terephthalate plant in Russia’s Perm Krai region have begun and is already having an effect on availability of 2-eh in Western Europe, market sources said Thursday.
“The startup was delayed from January, but I believe they are operational now,” a European 2-eh producer said.
Sibur declined to comment Thursday.
Several market sources said Thursday that Sibur’s consumption of 2-eh at the new DOTP conversion plant began to affect 2-eh availability in Europe this week, removing the excess length.
This might lend support to prices, which have been under downward pressure since the beginning of the year on weaker demand from the construction sector amid continued economic uncertainty.
DOTP is a phthalate-free plasticizer used in cables, flooring and roof coatings and other materials for various segments of the construction industry.
S&P Global Platts assessed 2-eh last Thursday unchanged at Eur1,050/mt FD NWE. Prices have been stagnant since mid-March despite seasonal expectations.
–Ora Lazic, [email protected]
–Edited by Jonathan Fox, [email protected]
Source: S&P Global Platts
