POE prices in the U.S. Gulf Coast rose sharply in mid-March by **, reversing the softer February trend as feedstock pressures and export demand tightened market dynamics. Early March reflected balanced conditions with stable operating rates and adequate inventories, but ethylene supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions lifted cost pressure, pushing spot offers higher for POE. Demand remained firm, supported by steady automotive and photovoltaic sector procurement, alongside continued export inquiries from Latin America. However, domestic converters maintained disciplined, just-in-time buying strategies, avoiding stockpiling. This cautious purchasing behavior limited demand spikes, even as tightening availability and rising costs supported the upward movement in POE prices.
On the supply side, rising ethylene costs鈥攍inked to disruptions in domestic ethane-based feedstock streams鈥攖ightened margins and prompted suppliers to raise offers. Linear alpha olefin (LAO) C** availability remained largely stable, though latent logistical risks persist, particularly if shipments through the Strait of Hormuz...
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