Earthquake Hit VCM Price   

Impacted by Japan earthquake, trade price of VCM (vinyl chloride monomer) recently increased to around US$1050/t in the Asian market from US$950/t in March, as the plants with the capacity of 0.6 million t/a and 0.2 million t/a owned by Kashima Chemical Co Ltd and Keiyo Ethylene was shut down and the time to restart was uncertain. Moreover, the oil prices staying high and the shortage of PVC supply were also pushed forward VCM price rising.
    In the second week of this April, it appeared a sharp rise of VCM price in the Asian region, import price in China main ports was soaring to US$1 050/t - US$1 100/t and the supply in Southeast Asia tended to be tighter and PVC producers in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia reduce the purchase. China's PVC producers said the high price of VCM was no longer a problem and what they have to confront was the shortage of supplies that could lead to suspension of their plants. The price of home-made VCM rose to RMB7 800/t on April 7.