US FKM Market Sees Price Stability Amid Balanced Supply and Measured Demand

Mid-January xxxx saw stabilized FKM pricing in the USA due to a balance between domestic supply and restrained demand for FKM products. Manufacturers in the US operated at normal production levels throughout mid-January, maintaining continuity of supply and limiting the potential for slight increases in price. With an efficient transportation system for inland delivery and a diligent inventory control process, producers were able to meet all of their contracts without having to use large price increases to do so. As a result, FKM market transaction prices remained steady.

Demand for FKM products has followed the trend of US manufacturing as a whole. Softer production growth along with the first contraction of new orders hindered immediate demand from general industrial segments. As a result, the confidence among processors to purchase has decreased, and they are only purchasing as needed due to elevated cost...