Prices of Organic Chemicals Went Up    
By John Zheng    

Pure benzene   

In October 2009, because of the price rise of crude oil in the international market and increased demand for pure benzene in downstream sectors, China's pure benzene price rose stably.
    On November 4th, pure benzene was traded between RMB5 950/t and RMB6 000/t in eastern China, a rise of RMB650/t over a month earlier.   
    The demand for pure benzene is expected to decrease and inventory of pure benzene producers will increase, but the price of crude oil in the international market is expected to be dull with fluctuation, so it is expected that the price of pure benzene will probably to be dull in November 2009.

Toluene

In October 2009, Due to the price rise of crude oil in the international market, domestic toluene producers lifted their ex-factory prices in succession, so China's toluene prices rose apparently with increased trading actions.
    As of November 4th, toluene was traded at around RMB6 400-6 450/t in eastern China, an increase of RMB650/t over that in the previous month.
    In November 2009, the demand for toluene is expected to be slack, but the high price of crude oil in the international market and decreased supply of toluene will give support to the domestic price, so the price of toluene will probably increase.

Xylene

In October 2009, in spite of the soft demand for xylene, domestic xylene producers lifted their ex-factory prices in succession in response to the apparent price rise of crude oil in the international market, China's xylene prices therefore rose slightly.
    As of November 4th, solvent grade xylene was trading at RMB6 450-6 500/t in eastern China, a rise of RMB150-200/t over a month before.
    In November 2009, the demand for xylene is expected to be soft and the supply will be sufficient, so the price of xylene is expected to fall with fluctuation.

Styrene monomer

In early October 2009, because of the constant price rise of styrene monomer in the Asian market, China's styrene monomer price rose considerably.
   In mid October, in spite of the downturn of styrene monomer price in Asian market, the domestic price continued to increase, supported by the tense supply. In late October, the price of styrene monomer fluctuated slightly.
    As of November 4th, styrene monomer was traded at RM8 500-8 550/t in eastern China, a rise of RMB600/t over the previous month.  
    The supply of styrene monomer is expected to increase and the demand for styrene monomer will be soft, but the high production cost will give a support to the price of styrene monomer, so the price of styrene monomer will unlikely to drop markedly in November 2009.