Polyester

Polyester staple fibre prices have remained rigid since late January in China and from early February in India and Pakistan. In China, polyester fibre producers have reportedly ramped up run rates after the Spring Festival while cotton-spinning makers are yet to resume normal operation. As a result, demand was slower to pick up. Meanwhile, producers held offers stable. In Shandong and Hebei, central values were stable to weak, while the Fujian market was range bound in weakness as producers cut down offers mildly. Since the holiday atmosphere was still thick, downstream players focus on run rates and changes in feedstock costs. In India, producers’ offers rolled over for February after they were raised for the month. In Pakistan, too, offers remained unmoved for the week.

In China, offers for 1.4D direct-melt PSF were flat in Yuan terms and down US cent 1 in US$ terms at 8.80-8.95 Yuan a kg (US$1.30-1.32 a kg) in Jiangsu and Zhejiang while the same in Fujian and Shandong were at US$1.31-1.33 a kg. Export offers were also down at US$1.16 a kg FOB China. In Pakistan, 1.4D PSF producers’ offers rolled over after the first week’s hike to PakRs.193-195 a kg (US$1.38-1.40 a kg). In India, PSF offers rolled over for February with 1.2D at INR85.25 a kg (US$1.21 a kg) and 1.4-2D at INR85.50 a kg or US$1.20 a kg.

Nylon

Nylon staple fibre prices stood stable as demand from wool‐spinning and core‐spinning mills remained thin, and producers’ margin in negative territory. 1.5D prices rolled over at 16.50-17.30 Yuan a kg (US$2.44-2.46 a kg, down US cents 2).

Acrylic

Acrylic staple fibre markets were stable in Asia, as upstream acrylonitrile costs rose, while downstream demand was yet to fully recover in China. The industry run rate dropped to 67% during the week, as some units in northern regions of China remained idle, and thus supply decreased somewhat. Jilin Chemical Fiber slashed its overall operating rates at its three units amid increasing costs of acrylonitrile. One plant was taken offline while other two ran at lower rates. Demand was poor as downstream yarn mills largely remained closed post-holiday break. In India and Pakistan, acrylic fibre prices remained unchanged during the week as upstream cost increased and trading activities in downstream was lackluster. Overall, acrylic fibre market may face mounting cost pressure, unless some supporting factors emerge in coming weeks.

Taiwan origin 3D bright ASF tow offers rolled over on the week at US$2.00-2.10 a kg, marking a flat run for the ninth straight week. In China, medium-length and cotton-type acrylic fibre prices were raised at the upper end to 15.55-16.40 Yuan a kg (US$2.30-2.43 a kg, up US cent 1). In Pakistan, 1.2D ASF prices remained unchanged in Karachi market at PakRs.345 a kg (US$2.47 a kg). In India, producers’ offers for February were steady at INR153-164.50 a kg (US$2.15-2.31 a kg) after they were cut for the month.

Viscose

Viscose staple fibre producers in China generally raised offers after the Spring Festival for medium-end and high-end goods. However, firm deals remained lackluster, as downstream mills mainly held wait-and-see stance. Offers for some fresh materials were also raised, while negotiations for high-end goods were held stable. With the market yet to fully recover after the Spring Festival, output from Sateri (Jiangsu)’s unit was available following stable operation during the Spring Festival. Without any bullish factors, viscose fibre market is expected to remain stable in coming week, seeing downstream mills buying small volumes. Viscose fibre prices remained unchanged at previous week’s levels, both in India and Pakistan this week.

In China, producers’ offers were flat for medium-end goods at 13.60-13.80 Yuan a kg (US$2.01-2.04 a kg), while high end goods were traded at 13.70-13.80 Yuan a kg (US$2.03-2.04 a kg), both down US cents 2 due to weak Yuan. In spot, prices were raised slightly for 1.5D VSF to 13.45 Yuan a kg (US$1.99 a kg) and for 1.2D to 13.75 Yuan a kg (US$2.03 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 steady with 1.2-2.0D at INR147-197 a kg (US$2.06-2.76 a kg).