DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) Is Used Mainly to Produce Polyester Resins, Fibres and Films As Well As Engineering Resins

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DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is used mainly to produce polyester resins, fibres and films as well as engineering resins. The polyesters generated are employed in fibres used by the textile industry, the manufacture of food and beverage containers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and polyester film which has applications in photography, computers, audio-visual equipment and packaging. DMT is available in molten (liquid) and flake (solid) forms. The most widely used method of manufacture is based on paraxylene using oxidation and esterification steps. DMT is stable under normal temperatures and pressures but is a significant dust explosion hazard if in powder or granular form and mixed with air. It degrades in the atmosphere with an estimated half-life of 28 days. ICIS pricing quotes DMT in Europe. Frequency: Published weekly on Fridays. DMT (EUROPE) Weekly Price Assessments: Liquid DMT contract prices. FD NWE Monthly (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/MT) DMT Feedstock Prices Methanol FOB RDAM Quarterly Contract (EUR/MT) Paraxylene FD NWE Monthly Contract (EUR/MT) General Information: Assessment window: Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Fridays at 1700 hours in London. Specifications: Prime molten material (liquid) unless otherwise specified. Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four to six weeks forward from the date of publication. Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date. Standard cargo size: Assessments reflect values for small, medium and large-size customers. Assessment basis: ICIS contract prices are mathematically derived using upstream paraxylene (PX) and methanol contracts. The DMT delta equals 0.62 of the monthly FD NWE PX price move plus 0.38 of the quarterly FOB Rotterdam methanol contract price move. Following the price assessments there is market commentary on paraxylene (PX), methanol, polyethylene terephtalate (PET) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA). 10 April 2013 .

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