Styrene Monomer (SM)

TBC-inhibited styrene monomer for polystyrene, ABS, SBR and UPR

Styrene monomer (HS 2902.50) is the building block of polystyrene (GPPS, HIPS, EPS), ABS and SAN, styrene-butadiene rubber and latex, and the reactive diluent in unsaturated polyester resins used by composite, gelcoat and adhesive producers. ASTM D2827 is the specification and names the tests: purity, aldehydes, peroxides, polymer content, inhibitor, ethylbenzene, water and colour. Styrene polymerises on its own, so it ships with 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) as the inhibitor: the PlasticsEurope 2024 safe handling guide describes TBC being kept above 10-15 mg/L, TBC needing traces of dissolved oxygen to work, and storage below 25 °C with 15-20 °C as best practice. A buyer therefore checks polymer content and TBC on arrival, not just at load. Styrene is a UN Class 3 flammable liquid, UN 2055. UN Comtrade 2024 export declarations under HS 2902.50 total about USD 7.89 billion: the USA USD 1.70 billion, the Netherlands USD 1.39 billion and 1.13 million MT, Singapore USD 530 million and 0.47 million MT, Taiwan USD 443 million and 0.33 million MT, Korea USD 335 million, and Spain, France, Japan and Belgium between USD 233 and 316 million each.

The buyer is a polystyrene or EPS plant, an ABS or SBR latex producer, or a resin and adhesive formulator. Large plants take chemical-tanker parcels, carried under the IBC Code with the ship type and pollution category per chapter 17 on the tanker's certificate of fitness, with inhibitor added and voyage temperature managed; resin and adhesive producers take ISO tanks and drums. Styrene trades on ICIS, Platts and Argus spot assessments (FOB Korea, CFR China, FOB Rotterdam, US Gulf) and on monthly contracts. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers styrene monomer from US, Dutch, Singaporean, Taiwanese and Korean producers' offtake and trader parcels, against the producer's certificate of analysis, SGS or Intertek inspection of purity, polymer and TBC at load, the safety data sheet, a certificate of origin and REACH registration confirmation for EU imports, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms. Send the volume, delivery form, the TBC range you need and the discharge port.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.