Gap Between Import LLDPE and HDPE Film Prices Has Narrowed as LLDPE Prices Have Risen

Players in China report that the gap between import LLDPE and HDPE film prices has narrowed over the past few weeks as LLDPE prices have risen more rapidly than HDPE or LDPE film prices during the recent rally in the Chinese PE market, as per ChemOrbis. LLDPE supply is said to be limited in Asia. Players added that LLDPE prices have been posting stronger increases than other PE products as they had fallen the farthest during the late 2011 downtrend. At the start of 2011, LLDPE film prices on a CFR China basis carried a premium of over US$100/ton when compared with HDPE film prices, according to data from ChemOrbis Price Index. HDPE film prices rose to reach par with LLDPE film prices in the spring of 2011 and HDPE film prices had gained a premium of over US$100/ton above LLDPE film prices by the start of October 2011. HDPE film prices enjoyed a steady premium of US$85-135/ton for the remainder of 2011 and the first few weeks of 2012, with the premium falling below the US$100/ton threshold only once during that stretch. LLDPE film prices have been steadily gaining ground against HDPE since the end of the Chinese New Year holidays. In the four weeks after the holidays, the premium on HDPE film prices over LLDPE film prices has varied between US$65-90/ton and has never regained the US$100/ton threshold. Source: plastemart.com