Methanol rises on tight markets

Journal Article · Wed Oct 30 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Chemical Week

OSTI ID:508319

Thomas, N

Methanol spot pricing continues to climb in Europe because of thin inventories. Sources at Condea have confirmed that part of the company`s unit at Wesseling, Germany operated below 50% of its 400,000-m.t./year nameplate capacity in mid-September. Condea says the unit returned to full service early last week The shutdown occurred as other producers were in the midst of scheduled maintenance turnarounds. One producer source said spot deals were being done at DM290/m.t. fob Rotterdam, with offers from suppliers above DM300/m.t. {open_quotes}Nearly all German consumers are under pressure,{close_quotes} says the source. {open_quotes}It`s difficult to get spot product promptly.{close_quotes} The effect of tightening methanol has not been seen in the methyl tert-butyl ether markets in Europe, where prices have moved up to about $305/m.t. fob Rotterdam, mainly on the back of higher gasoline prices. In the US, spot methanol is holding near contract levels of 48 cts/lb, after spiking 10 cts and bringing spot levels to 50 cts/lb in early September. Operating problems in the US and relatively high demand have kept prices inching upward, despite a decline in natural gas feedstock pricing.

• OSTI ID: 508319
• Journal Information: Chemical Week, Journal Name: Chemical Week Journal Issue: 41 Vol. 158; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
CAPACITY
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
CHEMICAL PLANTS
ETHERS
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
METHANOL
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
PRICES
PRODUCTION