Fibre Prices Seen Easing In Asia During August- Textile Beacon

FIBRE PRICES SEEN EASING IN ASIA DURING AUGUST

Polyester

Polyester staple fibre prices were down in China while they were lifted in India, Taiwan and Pakistan in August. In China, offers moved down in early part of August but stablised as the month progressed. Some sporadic offers trended lower in Fujian while producers were unwilling to offer lower priced goods. Materials offered by traders were concluded at around offer levels indicating narrow discounts in firm deals under negotiation. In Shandong and Hebei, producers offloaded materials with lower price, and modest sales were observed. Offers for 1.4D direct-melt polyester staple in Jiangsu and Zhejiang averaged 6.92-7.08 Yuan a kg (US$1.07-1.09 a kg, down US cents 3) while the same in Fujian and Shandong were down at US$1.08-1.10 a kg. In Taiwan, offer for 1.4D were lifted US cents 4 to US$1.15 a kg FOB. In Pakistan, producers raised their offers seeing cotton prices surging rapidly. 1.4D PSF offers averaged PakRs.221-224 a kg (US$1.34-1.36 a kg, up US cent 1). In India, producers raised their offers for August but market still swung on a bearish footing. August offers averaged INR101.75 a kg (US$1.37 a kg) for 1.2D and to INR102.50 a kg (US$1.38 a kg) for 1.4D.

In Turkey, the government has decide to impose additional tariff on imported polyester fibre as a safeguard measure for a period of three years. The additional tariff is determined as US cents 6 a kg in the first year, US cents 5.8 a kg in the second year and US cents 5.6 a kg in the third year.

Nylon

Nylon-6 staple fiber offers were raised in August although upstream caprolactum cost eased while polyamide or nylon

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chip markets were sluggish. Demand was normal but textile makers kept low run rates due to off-season and few fresh orders. 1.5D offers averaged 16.70-17.15 Yuan a kg (US$2.58-2.65 a kg, up US cents 3 on the month).

Acrylic

Acrylic staple fibre prices inched up in August in China while they were stable in India Taiwan and Pakistan.

Offers for Taiwan origin 1.5D acrylic fibre were rolled over during August at US$2.85-2.90 a kg FOB. In China, reference prices of cotton-type staple fiber, tow and top were firm on support of upstream acrylonitrile cost. Acrylic fibre producers reported stable selling prices, and they had no stock pressure on the back of moderate sales. Downstream users only made hand-tomouth purchase. The industrial run rate stayed at 71% this week as demand could hardly expand. Firming acrylonitrile cost outside China also provided support to acrylic fibre markets. Producers reported balance between supply and demand as well as low inventories. Prices for medium-length and cotton-type acrylic fibre 1.5D and 3D tow averaged 18.50-18.70 Yuan a kg (US$2.85-2.89 a kg). In Pakistan, overseas suppliers’ kept offers steady at PakRs.450-455 a kg (US$2.73-2.76 a kg) in Karachi market.

Indian producers offers for August were kept unchanged at INR228-230 a kg (US$3.08-3.11 a kg).

Going ahead, acrylic fibre prices are expected to run in line with feedstock market.

Viscose

Viscose staple fibre market sentiment eased in China during August, with fresh orders fading rapidly. Producers were still fulfilling previous orders due to sound demand in July. Run rates were pegged at high levels then, resulting in a mismatch between high production and low demand. Meanwhile, expectation of Golden September and Silver October persisted, and inventory is anticipated to decrease somewhat. Moreover, the price gap between Xinjiang and inland narrowed. In spot, prices averaged at 12.82 Yuan a kg (US$1.98 a kg) for 1.5D and 1.2D at 13.27 Yuan a kg (US$2.05 a kg). In Taiwan, offers for 1.5D were lifted US cents 4 to US$2.20 a kg FOB during the month.

In Pakistan, overseas supplier lowered their offer in Karachi market during the month. Surging cotton market limited the falling trend. Offers were at PakRs355-360 a kg (US$2.15-2.18 a kg, down US cents 9).

In India, no change was reported in viscose fibre prices as Covid related restriction were easing. Offers were for 1.2-1.5D were at INR200-202 a kg (US$2.70-2.72 a kg). Overall, it is expected that prices will mostly stable, with the possibility of mild downticks, amid thin transactions.