Prices (CIF India) of imported material increased from $350-360 per tonne in March 1999 to $490-500 per tonne in April 1999. International prices (CFR far east Asia) of di octyl phthalate (DOP), a derivative, increased by $35-36 per tonne, to $473-486 per tonne in April 1999. Prices (CFR far east Asia) of oxo-alcohols (a co-product in the manufacture of plasticisers) also increased in April 1999, prices of normal butanol increased by $28-31 per tonne, to $362-376 per tonne, and prices of 2-ethyl hexanol increased by $34-36 per tonne, to $399-416 per tonne.

Prices of PAN have increased due to strong demand from DOP manufacturers in China, tight supplies as a result of shut-downs at a few plants in Asia, and anincrease in the prices of the feedstock, orthoxyene.

Domestic prices of PAN increased from Rs 24,000 per tonne in April 1999 to Rs 28,000 per tonne in early May 1999, due to an increase in international prices and prices of the feedstock - OX.

Prices of DOP increased from Rs 30,000-31,000 per tonne in April 1999 to Rs 37,000 per tonne in early May 1999.

Domestic offtake improved in April 1999 and the demand from plasticiser sectors increased as many DOP manufacturers resumed operations from April 1999.

(This report is a part of `Pricewatch', a monthly commodity report prepared by INFAC, a leading Indian industry information research firm. For further information on the subject visit: www.infac.com)