Chemicals
March 18, 2025
Platts proposes to launch FOB Southeast China,FOB China River caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments; refine methodology for FOB China Caprolactam assessment
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to launch two caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments effective May 8.
Additionally, Platts intends to refine its methodology for the current FOB China Caprolactam weekly range assessment (FASCD04), also effective May 8.
This proposal would add further granularity to Platts caprolactam ammonium sulfate coverage in the China region.
The proposed changes are detailed below:
Launch of FOB Southeast China and FOB China River caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments
Platts proposes to launch two weekly single-number caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments, FOB Southeast China and FOB China River.
Detailed specifications for the proposed assessments are as follows:
| Assessment Name | FOB Southeast China, Caprolactam | FOB China River, Caprolactam |
| Quality | 21% N, standard grade ammonium sulphate | 21% N, standard grade ammonium sulphate |
| Quantity | 6,000-12,000 mt | 6,000-12,000 mt |
| Location | FOB Xiu Yu (Fujian) | FOB Nantong (Jiangsu) |
| Timing | Loading 2-4 weeks forward | Loading 2-4 weeks forward |
| Frequency | Weekly, every Thursday | Weekly, every Thursday |
| Appears In | Nitrogen market report - Nitrates | Nitrogen market report - Nitrates |
| Unit of assessment | $/mt | $/mt |
| Timestamp | 4:30 pm Penang close, following the Penang publishing calendar | 4:30 pm Penang close, following the Penang publishing calendar |
Information regarding different location, cargo size and timing may be considered and normalized, where necessary, to align with the standard specifications listed above.
Change in methodology for FOB China, Caprolactam weekly range assessment (FASCD04)
Platts proposes to change the methodology for its existing FOB China, Caprolactam weekly range assessment, effective May 8.
The assessment would reflect the FOB China, Caprolactam price, with the range derived from the two new assessments outlined above rather than being assessed in its own right.
No other market information would be taken into account.
For example, if FOB Southeast China, Caprolactam was assessed at $145/mt and FOB China River, Caprolactam at $150/mt on a given date, then FOB China, Caprolactam would be calculated as a range of $145-$150/mt.
Please submit any feedback, comments or questions about this proposal to fertilizer@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by April 2.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.
Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.