The shortage of benzene and styrene may ease in November The Russian aromatic hydrocarbon market may get a break in November, writes Kommersant referring to the review of the CPI Center (Consumer Price Index). The shortage of benzene and styrene is expected to begin to ease due to the completion of the planned refining works and a seasonal decrease in demand for gasoline. The shortage of aromatics is caused by competition between the fuel and petrochemical sectors. Benzene, being a high-octane component, with high fuel prices, brings oil companies more profit in producing gasoline than in supplying petrochemicals. Other factors were planned repairs at refineries and unplanned shutdown of petrochemical production. As a result, benzene and styrene prices remained high. According to some estimates, the volume of styrene sales in October may be the lowest in the last five years. In the summer, the Russian government considered introducing a ban on the export of aromatic hydrocarbons. The decision was never passed because metallurgists opposed restrictions on the export of crude benzene (a byproduct of coking). RUPEC news on MAX.

The shortage of benzene and styrene may ease in November The Russian aromatic hydrocarbon market may get a break in November, writes Kommersant referring to the review of the CPI Center (Consumer Price Index). The shortage of benzene and styrene is expected to begin to ease due to the completion of the planned refining works and a seasonal decrease in demand for gasoline. The shortage of aromatics is caused by competition between the fuel and petrochemical sectors. Benzene, being a high-octane component, with high fuel prices, brings oil companies more profit in producing gasoline than in supplying petrochemicals. Other factors were planned repairs at refineries and unplanned shutdown of petrochemical production. As a result, benzene and styrene prices remained high. According to some estimates, the volume of styrene sales in October may be the lowest in the last five years. In the summer, the Russian government considered introducing a ban on the export of aromatic hydrocarbons. The decision was never passed because metallurgists opposed restrictions on the export of crude benzene (a byproduct of coking). RUPEC news on MAX.