SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts extends feedback period for launching MX CIF ARA daily assessment, fixing FOB premium

S&P Global Platts is extending the feedback period to launch a daily mixed xylenes price assessment from March 1, 2017, following a request from industry participants. As such, Platts is now seeking feedback until January 31.

The assessment would reflect spot barge volumes traded in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region inclusive of cost, insurance and freight.

Specifications for the MX CIF ARA assessment would conform to the latest edition of ASTM D-843, with one or more isomers removed; the non-aromatics content set at the maximum of 2% and the maximum ethylbenzene content at 20%.

There would be no limits on metaxylene, paraxylene and orthoxylene content.

The assessment would reflect MX loading 5-30 days forward, with a standard cargo size of 1,000 mt.

Terms of payment and credit facilities would be as per industry standard.

Simultaneously, Platts is proposing to tie both its existing FOB MX assessments to the CIF assessment, setting a fixed premium of $12/mt, which would reflect the added logistical and tank storage costs.

As such, activity in the Platts MOC window for MX will be done exclusively on CIF ARA basis, with FOB values for both isomer and solvent grades calculated daily from CIF ARA values.

Please direct any questions or comments to pl_petchems_ln@platts.com with a copy to pricemethodology@platts.com.

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Platts will consider all comments received and will make these comments available on request.