SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to revise SSBR assessment specification

Following industry consultation, S&P Global Platts has decided to revise the specification of its solution styrene butadiene rubber weekly assessments effective July 28, 2017.

Platts has decided to change the vinyl content specification of its SSBR assessments to reflect a 45-64% range. The styrene content will remain unchanged, at 25%. The decision reflects a generational evolution in SSBR and aims to incorporate a greater range of vinyl grades into our weekly assessments.

Initially in its original June 13 consultation note, Platts had proposed that its SSBR assessment would reflect a 50-64% range for vinyl. Following feedback however, Platts decided to widen this range to 45-64%.

As per the decision, Platts SSBR symbols will be renamed as follows:

From: AAWXJ00 SSBR 5025 FOB NWE Weekly AAWXI00 SSBR 5025 FD NWE Eur/mt Weekly

To: AAWXJ00 SSBR FOB NWE Weekly AAWXI00 SSBR FD NWE Eur/mt Weekly

Assessments are published on PCA page 752, in Platts Olefinscan and in market data category HP.

Please direct comments to pl_petchems_ln@spglobal.com with a copy to pricemethodology@spglobal.com.