| Abstract: | The price situation for crude oil, petrochemical raw materials, commercial granulate, and synthetic fibres and yarns on world and regional markets in the first half of 2006 was distinguished by instability. Fluctuations in the price of crude, especially the increase in February–April 2006, caused the cost of almost all types of raw materials for commercial polymers and synthetic fibres to increase. The lowest prices for petrochemical raw materials and products of processing them were observed in Asia, while relatively high prices were observed in Western Europe. The prices of cotton in the US and Western Europe were $400–500 and $600–700/ton lower than for 1.7 dtex polyester fibre for the first time in the USA and Western Europe. The price of PES fibre was $110/ton higher over six months in Western Europe, and the price of cotton, on the contrary, was $25/ton lower. __________ Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, pp. 68–77, November–December, 2006. |
