Mercosur, Mexico, Argentina polymer prices set record lows

Sao Paulo — Polymer prices in the Mercosur region, and the domestic markets of Argentina and Mexico reached a historical low on Wednesday, S&P Global Platts data showed.

With falls between $50-$100/mt on the week, FOT exports from Brazil to the Mercosur region saw all grades of high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene reach their lowest historical price since assessments started in 2015. Polypropylene prices fell $20/mt for homopolymer and $40/mt for copolymer and matched the record low seen in February 2016.

Domestic delivered prices in Argentina were also seen at a record low for all HDPE grades and for LLDPE, with falls of $50/mt on the week. The assessments began in 2017.

Mexican domestic delivered prices were seen at a new record low for all HDPE film grades and LLDPE prices, since assessments started in 2016.

The domestic market of Colombia saw prices remain at a record low for all HDPE grades and for LLDPE. The assessments started in 2017.

The Brazilian domestic market didn't see a historical low if the prices were considered in real. However, on converting to dollars, the prices of HDPE, low density polyethylene and LLDPE were at a historical low, considering falls of Real 150-400/mt on the week and currency depreciation.

IMPORT MARKETS

On a Brazil CFR basis, all prices were unchanged on the week, and HDPE film, blowmolding, injection and LLDPE were again at the lowest level since Platts started covering this market in 2011. Brazilian polypropylene prices were flat, assessed again at a historical record low for homopolymer and copolymer.

On the West Coast of South America, the prices for HDPE film, injection and blowmolding were seen again at a historical low Wednesday, also unchanged week on week, and the same was seen in LLDPE values. In polypropylene, WCSA prices were flat on the week, maintaining a historical low for both grades.

Polyvinyl chloride prices were also unchanged week on week and continued to be at the lowest level since Platts started the assessments in 2010 for the WCSA and 2011 for Brazil.