Asian Benzene: Prices fall on lower MOC trades / Styrene margins compress on high costs / Sinopec raises East China price by 400 yuan

Oct 12, 2026

Asian benzene $6.33/metric ton lower on the session at $1,247/mt FOB Korea on Oct. 9, amid lower MOC trades. During the Market on Close assessment process, two trades were reported. Gunvor sold a November-loading FOB Korea cargo to Trafigura at $1,260/mt. Gunvor bought a December-loading FOB Korea cargo from BP at $1,221/mt. In FOB Korea floating price discussions, the last offer for November-loading cargo was heard at a premium of $70/mt to the November weekly Mean of Korea (wMOPK), with no return bid heard during the MOC session. “Recent surges in benzene are difficult for downstream industries to accept, and buyers are likely to become more cautious,” a Northeast Asia-based trade source said. “In specific terms, styrene margins are becoming compressed as benzene and ethylene levels remain high,” the trade...

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