Asian naphtha prices fall to 16-month low on cheaper crude oil

Demand for plastics feedstock is down across the region

20241122N SK refinery naphtha

An SK Energy refinery in Ulsan, South Korea. Naphtha cracking facilities across Asia are reportedly close to suspending operations due to declining profits. © Reuters

RIONA GOMI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Asian prices for naphtha, a vital precursor of plastics, have dropped to a 16-month low on lower crude oil prices and weak demand.

The benchmark Tokyo open spec contract for naphtha traded for $613 a tonne on Monday, sinking to a level last seen in July 2023.

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