Something from FKTM – January

Crude oil prices had once raised USD4.13, representing an increase of 4.2%, to USD102.96 per barrel in early January. The increase however had limited effect to the end-market demand and the crude oil price returned to USD99.84 per barrel as of 26th January.

Customers were cautiously optimistic with their purchase when the Lunar New Year holiday was approaching. Price of a few materials rebounded slightly after experiencing a comparatively huge drop during December and January. For example, PC light guide plate price is expected to increase due to the increasing demand; PP market is believed to improve before and after the Lunar New Year holiday due to the increase of monomer and production decrease of chemical factories.

Transportation cost and customs duty from Hong Kong to Guangdong province remain unchanged and showed no sign of price drop. General scrap USD5500-5700, mixed scrap USD6256, computer and television cases USD7000.

Customs clearance in northern China was tightened since January. To stop the contaminated scrap from importing, every container must be unloaded for detail inspection at the border. The delayed customs clearance as well as the huge demurrage charges had a big impact to the scrap industry. In order to minimize contamination and damage to the environment, the Chinese government had also prohibited import of PP big bag, mixed plastic fishing net and municipal solid waste, plastic bottles and used buckets etc. at the same time.

Compared to 30th December, price for prime materials as at 31st January: PP – USD 1510 (↑USD 10), LDPE – USD 1420 (≒), HDPE – USD 1385 (≒), HIPS – USD 1710 (↑USD 5), GPPS – USD 1540 (↑USD 35), ABS – USD 2080 (↑USD 60), SM – USD 1381 (↑USD 60).

Polyolefins scrap: HDPE natural film scrap from production USD 860 (≒), LDPE natural film from production USD 800 (↓USD30), PP natural film scrap from production USD 910 (↓USD25), PE98/02 film in the northern China USD 530 (↓USD20), in the southern China USD 480 (≒), PP Grade A natural lumps USD 1100 (≒).

Styrenes scrap: ABS mix color regrind USD 990 (↓USD50), HIPS mix color regrind USD 520 (≒), GPPS natural CD cases shredded USD 1000 (↓USD50), K-resin hangers USD 950 (↓USD30), EPS lump from fish market about USD 650 (↓USD20).

Engineering scrap: PA mix color regrind about USD 950-980 (↓USD30-70), POM mix color regrind about USD 800 (≒), PBT mix color regrind about USD 1015 (≒), PC/ABS mixed color regrind USD 800 (↑USD 30), PMMA casting grade off-cut USD 1100 (↓USD20-40), PC regrinds from water bottles USD 1800 (↓USD100), PVB natural off-cut (monolayer) USD 2400 (↓USD200).

PET scrap: PET natural blister USD 870 (↑USD20), PET natural perform USD 1030 (↑USD15), PET white fleece USD 530 (↑USD30-50), PET natural lump USD 750 (↑USD50).