Chemicals, Aromatics, Polymers
June 30, 2025
Platts launches MX and toluene CIF-FOB ARA differential price assessment
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has started assessing differentials between CIF and FOB ARA prices for mixed xylenes and toluene, effective June 30.
Platts published its decision to begin assessing the differentials on May 27(opens in a new tab), following an earlier proposal on April 28(opens in a new tab).
The differentials will be databased under the following symbols and descriptions:
| Description | Laycan | Symbol | Mavg | Wavg |
| MX CIF ARA spread to FOB ARA $/mt | 5-30 days forward | MTCRA00 | MTCRA03 | MTCRA04 |
| Toluene CIF ARA spread to FOB ARA Mo01 $/mt | Current month (M1) in line with the usual roll | MTCRB00 | MTCRB03 | MTCRB04 |
| Toluene CIF ARA spread to FOB ARA Mo02 $/mt | Next month (M2) in line with the usual roll | MTCRC00 | MTCRC03 | MTCRC04 |
| Toluene CIF ARA spread to FOB ARA $/mt | 5-30 days forward | MTCRD00 | MTCRD03 | MTCRD04 |
The Platts FOB ARA price assessments have decoupled from the CIF ARA assessments, which were previously assessed at parity.
A positive differential signifies a premium of CIF ARA prices over FOB ARA prices, while a negative differential indicates a discount.
The differentials will be published alongside the existing outright assessments:
| Assessment name | Symbol | MAvg | WAvg |
| Mixed xylene FOB ARA | PHABD00 | PHBFQ03 | PHABD04 |
| Toluene TDI FOB ARA Mo01 | AASFF00 | AASFF03 | AASFF04 |
| Toluene TDI FOB ARA Mo02 | AASFJ00 | AASFJ03 | AASFJ04 |
| Toluene TDI FOB ARA | AASFD00 | AASFD03 | AASFD04 |
These assessments appear on Platts Connect, PlattsMarketCenter, Platts Chemical Alert (PCA) fixed pages 0328, 0432, 0444, 0377,0432,0324, and in Polymerscan, and Europe and Americas Petrochemicalscan.
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