Propylene continued its steep downward trajectory for the second consecutive week, emerging as the weakest link in the acrylic value chain. The most pronounced decline was seen in Free Delivered (FD) Europe, which shed $*.***/kg week-on-week (-*.* per cent) and has now lost $*.***/kg (-**.* per cent) over the two-week period. Asian markers followed suit, with Cost and Freight (CFR) Southeast Asia (SEA) falling $*.***/kg and Free on Board (FOB) Korea declining $*.***/kg in the latest week. The Free Delivered (FD) US Gulf market showed relative resilience, essentially flat at $*.***/kg, underpinned by domestic demand dynamics and limited export arbitrage.
The sustained propylene weakness reflects broader crude oil softness, sluggish downstream polymer demand, and on purpose buying particularly in Europe and Northeast Asia.
