MMA producers in Asia continue lifting up price by $80 ~ $100 pmt for March shipment to reflect the tightness of MMA market as well as high raw material cost. The main concern is global economic exited the deepest recession on record last year as global demand was recovery like PMMA and ABS growth. Especially, Asia region economic growth fueled demand for the electronic products. Furthermore, propylene shortage and price sustained rising up, MMA producers are suffering insufficient raw material. In the train of schedule shut down for maintenance like Daesan MMA(90kpt/year), LG MMA two line (each 50kpt/year) in Korea; KMC( 100kpt/year) in Taiwan; MRC(90kpt/year) in China and Sumitomo two lines (90kpt/year、80kpt/year) in Singapore” from Feb. to April and it’s heard that one of Japan producer was outage unexpected in Feb. MMA price for 500 mt above is setting in the ranges of $1900 ~ 1950 PMT CFR Asian port. In addition, Europe and USA MMA market are still tight and limited deep cargo to Asia region. The outlook for April is still optimistic. Supply and demand will be balanced to tight.

In North Asia, China domestic MMA price sustained tight at RMB 14,500 ~ 15,000 pmt on delivered base because Chinese MMA inventories kept low level and tightness in supply. Chinese purchase has recovered after Lunar New Year holiday. The outlook MMA price is uptrend. Most MMA plants run at full capacity but still haven’t enough stocks to cope with the burgeoning demand from downstream PMMA sector. In Japan, MMA price has increased yen (Y) 10-15/kg in Feb. In Korea, the tight situation came from the two major MMA producers have scheduled shut down for maintenance and full PMMA running. In Taiwan, domestic MMA price has increased by NT$2/kg in March. MMA price was NT$64 ~ NT$66/kg DDP (US$1,950 ~$2,000 pmt). Taiwan's KMC shut its 100,000 tonne/year MMA plant in Kaohsiung on first of April for 2 weeks maintenance turnaround. PMMA producers announced US$50/mt rise in March. PMMA price is US$2,050 ~ $2,100 pmt CFR level.

In South Asia, the demand appeared stronger after Lunar Chinese New Year holiday. The cast sheets complained higher MMA cost pressure their sheets margin. However, the tight situation impelled them accepted price rose. In Thailand, one of major MMA producer has sudden outage for a week. It makes MMA supply situation more difficult. In Vietnam, market is healthy. In Singapore, Sumitomo Chemical No 2 MMA 80,000mt per year capacity restarted on fourth of Feb, and the production is over 80% running rate now. MMA prices are settled at US$1,950 ~ $2,000 pmt CFR in isotank. Drum customers are talking about US$2,100 ~ $2,150 pmt CFR. Cast sheet price sustained at US$2.50~ 2.65/kg.