During the week ending May x, xxxx, Maleic Anhydride prices fell in key markets—i.e., the United States, Germany, and China—owed to lackluster downstream demand, firm-to-strong supply levels, and lower feedstock prices. Maleic Anhydride Market sentiment was weak, with most buyers cutting purchases to the essentials, fueling bearishness and weaker spot prices.
In the United States, prices for Maleic Anhydride declined from USD x,xxx/MT to USD x,xxx/MT on an FOB Gulf Coast basis. Demand from downstream industries like unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) and lubricant additives was weak because of continuing weakness in construction and auto industries. Housing starts decreased month to month, and chronic high interest rates continued to dampen auto production. Domestic manufacturers, such as Huntsman and BASF, operated on a normal basis, and therefore there were plenty of products on the market. Increasing inventories at Gulf Coast terminals, along with...
