During the first half of May xxxx, the US Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) market stabilized after months of increasing price momentum during the first quarter. The market went into a holding pattern, as previous producer-led increases settled into equilibrium and buyers resisted further markups. Driving forces were comfortable inventory balances, alleviated tight supply, firm feedstock prices, and conservative downstream demand. Tariff dynamics made matters more complicated but did not lead to the immediate disruption of VAM prices.
North American Spot VAM prices were steady, the same as the previous week since late April. This equilibrium followed April through early May&#xx;s modest xx increase in VAM quotes, which had been fueled primarily by Celanese&#xx;s March USD xxx per tonne hike. Later resistance from purchasers and the two Gulf Coast acetyl units restarted dampened seller margins and steadied prices. Large stocks guaranteed that...
