Aromatics:

Benzene prices on an FOB Korea basis dropped in the wake of a decline in crude oil prices in the middle of the week. The paraxylene (PX) market was also dragged down by a fall in crude oil prices on a CFR Northeast Asia basis. Meanwhile, as these prices were losing significantly recently, some buying activities were temporarily observed for bargain hunting.

Olefins:

Ethylene prices on a CFR Northeast Asia basis were unchanged. Few spot discussions were carried out. For loading in Korea in December, two ethylene cargoes were traded at a discount in the mid to high $30's/mt to CFR Northeast Asia spot quotations. Korean ethylene markers were adjusting production and supply was not perceived to be in surplus.

The Asia propylene market was soft.

In the CFR Northeast Asia market, with yuan depreciating against the dollar, buying interest for imported cargoes from Chinese end-users receded.

On an FOB Korea basis, a petrochemical marker floated a long-term sell tender for 2025.

In Southeast Asia, a Malaysian petrochemical marker concluded a long-term deal for 2025.

The Asia butadiene market was on a downtrend along with perceptions of ample supply.

In Northeast Aisa, cargoes arrived from outside Asia and supply was ample. On the other hand, as demand for derivatives was sluggish, buying inquiries from end-users were scarce.

In Southeast Asia, two petrochemical makers conducted sell tenders for December loading.