It is reported that industry sources said last week, with the second half China sets new phenol plant production, demand will be boosted Asian benzene, benzene unit operating rates in the region will also increase. Industry consultancy forecast: "Earlier this year Asian benzene unit utilization rate is not high end is expected to improve the situation in Northeast Asia benzene production will be about 5.5 million tons in the first quarter surged to nearly 5.8 million tons at the end of the fourth quarter of this year . "

Market participants said the Chinese market phenol production will increase substantially in 2015, the first quarter will have three sets of world-scale phenol / acetone plant built. Three sets of new plant capacity by 46 percent to make Chinese phenol, rose to 2.53 million tons / year. At the same time, the average utilization rate of the Northeast Asian region is expected to benzene unit rose steadily from about 77% in the first quarter of this year increased to 80 percent in the fourth quarter.

According EweEeFoong report shows that compared to last year, demand from the downstream styrene benzene growth is low, due to the weak Chinese demand for polystyrene and styrene-based resin. According to data provided by the industry organization, in April due to high inventory levels, China Benzene spot demand has slowed, and the pressure on prices. After the Asian benzene prices are expected to rise, because with May improving demand downstream styrene monomer, styrene producers in the region will have a number of end equipment maintenance, thus boosting demand for benzene warming.

According to industry analysis agency, the second quarter due to China Taiwan region downstream industry operating rates improved margins better local styrene plant, is expected to drive Benzene spot trading activity. In other aromatics market, Asia toluene prices in the second quarter will continue to closely follow the downstream paraxylene (PX) trend, because PX-naphtha spread narrowed, this correlation may be impaired. Asian toluene market participants remain on the June price increases substantially positive attitude, most are counting on China market will drive the buying. However, other market participants are wary that the downstream market is unlikely to spur toluene prices rose sharply.

As for the PX market, most market participants believe that the current PX spot prices mainly by the downstream PTA market price and emotional impact.