Benzene Price Trend: Upstream Support

Asian Benzene: Prices higher supported by firm upstream momentum / Benzene- styrene spread narrows / Jan naphtha- fed steam cracker runs decline

Jun 03, 2026

Asian benzene $5/mt higher day over day at $777/mt FOB Korea Feb. 20, supported by firm upstream momentum. The H1 March/H2 March intermonth spread was assessed at minus $6/mt, widening from the intraday spread at minus $2/mt, while H2 March/April intermonth spread was assessed at minus $4.50/mt, narrowing from the intraday spread at minus $6/mt. During the Platts Market on Close assessment process, one trade was reported. GS Caltex bought a H2 March loading FOB Korea cargo from Gunvor at $774/mt. benzene CFR Taiwan $22/mt higher WOW at $785/mt Feb. 20, tracking movement in the FOB Korea market as the Taiwanese markets were closed for the holidays. The spread between benzene and downstream styrene monomer narrowed to plus $170.50/mt on Feb. 20, down from plus $194/mt a week earlier on...

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