Dear Industry Professionals,
 

I would like to share my beginning-of-month Styrene Monomer market assessment.
 

The European Styrene Monomer monthly contract price declined from EUR 1,962/t to EUR 1,692/t, representing a decrease of EUR 270/t compared to the previous month. This decline reflects the weak demand environment observed in the spot market.
 

According to current market indicators, European FOB Rotterdam Styrene Monomer spot prices are trading at around USD 1,100/t, while Styrene Monomer CFR China prices are around USD 975/t. The average European FOB Rotterdam Styrene Monomer price for the previous month was USD 1,275/t.
 

On the logistics side, a significant increase in freight costs has been observed. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) has risen to around 3,240 points, approximately doubling since April 2026. In parallel, 40HC container freight rates from China to Türkiye / Mediterranean destinations have reached USD 7,000–7,500 per 40HC container. These levels are among the highest freight costs recorded in the past three years, adding further pressure to the total supply cost of petrochemical and polymer products sourced from the Far East.
 

The current market environment continues to show pressure on Styrene Monomer prices due to weak demand and ample supply. However, rising freight costs are increasing the overall landed cost of imports, particularly for cargoes originating from the Far East.
 

Looking ahead, the direction of the Styrene Monomer market will continue to depend on global demand conditions, Benzene price developments, freight costs, and changes in producers’ operating rates.

This commentary represents my personal market assessment and does not constitute binding information on behalf of any institution, producer, or supplier. It should not be considered investment, trading, or commercial advice.
 

Kind regards,
Alpaslan Günyol