Polyester

Polyester staple fibre prices inched up in China, while they rolled over in India and Pakistan after their either-way revisions last week. In China, offers were slightly up from the previous week amid recent improvement in export volumes. There was some downward pressure on prices because of losses in feedstock cost. However, most export offers were kept at similar levels because of lowered inventory levels and a slight uptick in sales. In Pakistan, polyester fibre producers maintained stable offers on firm feedstock while they were mainly liquidating volumes. In India, POY market stabilized after producers reduced their offers for December. However, downstream spinners mainly purchased hand to mouth volume. Overall, on the back of modest demand, polyester fibre markets are expected to move sideways in the short run unless external factors boost the cost variables.

In China, offers for 1.4D direct-melt PSF inched up to 8.95-9.10 Yuan a kg (US$1.30-1.32 a kg, up US cent 1) in Jiangsu and Zhejiang while the same in Fujian and Shandong gained US cent 1 to US$1.30-1.33 a kg. Export offers were at around US$1.15 a kg FOB China. In Pakistan, 1.4D PSF producers’ offers remained unchanged at PakRs.187-189 a kg (US$1.34-1.35 a kg, up US cent 1). In India, PSF offers rolled over with 1.2D to INR84.25 a kg (US$1.17 a kg) and 1.4-2D at INR83.50 a kg or US$1.16 a kg, both down US cents 2 due to weak currency.

Nylon

Demand for nylon staple fibre was modest this week. In China, nylon staple fibre 1.5D prices declined to 16.70-17.80 Yuan a kg (US$2.43-2.59 a kg, down US cents 5).

Acrylic

Acrylic staple fibre markets were stable in Asia and offers largely rolled over. In China, producers reduced operation, indicating low interest in production, and order intakes at downstream yarn mills rose at a slower pace. Upstream, acrylonitrile values were also range-bound in weakness, as sellers merely followed prevalent market values and downstream buyers picked volumes hand to mouth. In China, acrylic fibre supply was cut as run rate decreased to 56% during the week. Many producers maintained production cut in various degrees. Downstream buyers increased procurement to some extent, but failed to boost buying atmosphere. Overall, with acrylonitrile cost easing and downstream demand mute, acrylic fibre markets are expected to extend stability to weakness in coming week.   

Taiwan origin 3D bright ASF tow offers were flat at US$2.40-2.45 a kg while offers in China for medium-length and cotton-type acrylic fibre rolled over at 16.20-16.40 Yuan a kg (US$2.36-2.39 a kg). In Pakistan, 1.2D ASF prices were stable in Karachi market at PakRs.345 a kg (US$2.47 a kg). In India, producers’ offers rolled over after a significant cut for December, at INR158-169.50 a kg (US$2.20-2.36 a kg, down US cents 4, due to weak currency).

Viscose

Viscose staple fibre markets in China, India and Pakistan were largely stable, amid a quiet atmosphere. In China, some producers were eager to liquidate volumes after completion of previous orders. However, downstream mills purchasing was still hand-to-mouth volumes, amid cautious mindset. Prices for medium-end and high-end viscose fibre stood still at previous week’s levels. In India, demand remained flat despite a cut in offers after several weeks of a stable run. Meanwhile, cotton prices were seen moderating which can push buying of viscose fibre to produce cheaper blended yarns. In Pakistan, the viscose fibre market was quiet in Karachi, with no movement seen in offers as yet.

In China, spot offers were flat on the week with 1.5D VSF at 13.90 Yuan a kg (US$2.02 a kg) and 1.2D at 14.10 Yuan a kg (US$2.05 a kg). In Pakistan, offers for 1.5D VSF rolled over at PakRs270-273 a kg (US$1.93-1.95 a kg) in Karachi. In India, prices were stable, with 1.2-2.0D VSF prices at INR147-197 a kg (US$2.05-2.75 a kg, down US cents 3-5 due to weak INR).