Benzene markets in Asia hit an eight-month high in November 2017 on strong buying interest and high upstream prices. In the US, spot benzene prices jumped on tight prompt supply during the month. Supply in the US has been tight since late October due to regional plant outages. In Europe, the benzene spot market rose as significant volumes were still being shipped to the US where supply continued to be tight.

US spot prices were up 15.8 per cent. European spot rose 15.9 per cent on the month. Asian caprolactam spot prices were up 6.1 per cent in November as compared to last month.

Nylon or polyamide chip prices were mostly up in November supported by the caprolactum market. Producers operated at slightly lower rates as compared to last month. However, as downstream buyers purchased cautiously, pressure on the supply side still existed, especially for high-priced bright and semi-dull nylon-6 chips. Offers for Taiwan-origin chips were up five per cent from last month. In China, bright conventional spinning nylon-6 chips were down 6.9 per cent from October while semi-dull chips price jumped 0.3 per cent on the month.

Nylon filament yarn prices inched up amid firm raw material cost during the month. The market largely remained range bound supported by chip cost and modest demand.