Benzene

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 13 June 2025. Asia-Europe VAM trade expansion driven by outages, US tariffs By Hwee Hwee Tan 13-Jun-25 15:01 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Vinyl acetate monomer exports from Asia to Europe are on track for expansion during the second quarter, spurred by a push among traders to take positions before a regulatory quota waiving duties for imports into Europe is exhausted. Crude climbs more than 8% after Israeli strikes against targets in Iran By James Dennis 13-Jun-25 12:33 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Crude prices surged, with Brent peaking nearly $9/barrel higher early on Friday, after Israel attacked targets in Iran, raising fears of a major escalation in conflict in the Middle East and resultant disruptions to crude production and exports from that region. INSIGHT: India’s BIS deadline may reshape global PVC trade landscape By Aswin Kondapally 11-Jun-25 14:00 MUMBAI (ICIS)–India is at a critical juncture in determining whether to implement or extend its Quality Control Orders (QCO) for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin sales under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, with the compliance deadline set for 24 June 2025. Asia crude glycerine offers fall as downstream ECH weakens in China By Helen Yan 12-Jun-25 11:42 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Offers for crude glycerine in Asia declined, weighed down by weakness in downstream epichlorohydrin (ECH) market and bearish sentiment. ICIS China Petrochemical Price index May average falls on weak demand By Yvonne Shi 11-Jun-25 13:48 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China's average petrochemical prices in May eased by 0.62% month on month as easing trade war concerns was offset by continued weakness in demand. Indian refineries plan green hydrogen projects worth Rs2 trillion By Priya Jestin 11-Jun-25 12:24 MUMBAI (ICIS)–India is currently planning green hydrogen initiatives worth around Indian rupees (Rs) 2 trillion ($23 billion), which include tenders for 42,000 tonne/year green hydrogen production by domestic oil refineries. INSIGHT: India’s BIS deadline may reshape global PVC trade landscape By Aswin Kondapally 11-Jun-25 14:00 MUMBAI (ICIS)–India is at a critical juncture in determining whether to implement or extend its Quality Control Orders (QCO) for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin sales under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, with the compliance deadline set for 24 June 2025. China vessel age limit stalls prompt trades with India By Hwee Hwee Tan 11-Jun-25 13:04 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Prompt chemical tanker supply on China’s southbound trade lanes is expected to shrink following regulatory restrictions, constraining spot trades especially with India. INSIGHT: Hydrogen unlocking China's cement decarbonization potential By Patricia Tao 10-Jun-25 17:58 As China steps up efforts to meet its dual carbon targets, hydrogen is becoming a practical and strategic tool to cut emissions from the country’s highly carbon-intensive cement industry. INSIGHT: Countdown to China benzene futures debut: how will it affect the market? By Jenny Yi 10-Jun-25 17:11 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–On 14 May, the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) issued a notice to solicit public opinions on proposed futures and options contracts for benzene along with the relevant rules. The deadline for feedback was 21 May 2025, marking the countdown to the launch of benzene futures and options in China. China's US exports to rebound on front-loading before Aug By Nurluqman Suratman 10-Jun-25 13:49 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China's exports to the US are expected to rebound in June as exporters ramp up frontloading efforts before the 90-day trade truce between the two global economic superpowers expires in August. Asia, Mideast petrochemical markets brace for tough summer By Jonathan Yee 09-Jun-25 11:16 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Tariff concerns and ample supply continue to exert pressure on petrochemical markets in both Asia and the Middle East, with regional demand staying weak, with consumption in India unlikely to pick up until September. INSIGHT: China polyester sector sees production cuts; tight supply boosts PTA/MEG By Cindy Qiu 09-Jun-25 12:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s polyester producers are facing mounting cost pressure, as domestic purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG) prices reaped large gains after the Labour Day holiday (1-5 May 2025) on the back of tight supply.

16-Jun-2025

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Tariff concerns and ample supply continue to exert pressure on petrochemical markets in both Asia and the Middle East, with regional demand staying weak, with consumption in India unlikely to pick up until September. Aromatics trade flows shift amid tariff uncertainty Monsoon season weighs on India demand GCC producers upbeat on Syria AROMATICS UNDER PRESSURE AMID TARIFFS In the aromatics market, supply is expected to be tight as increased tariff uncertainties continue `to disrupt traditional trade flows. Mixed xylene (MX) and downstream paraxylene (PX) were in steep backwardation, where in spot prices are higher than futures prices, amid freight constraints and high US demand. Benzene, which closely tracks falling crude prices, continued to underperform its aromatics peers. Benzene from South Korea has not been flowing into the US and were mostly going into China, market sources said. South Korea is a major exporter of aromatics products. Its overall petrochemical shipments in May declined by 20.8% year on year, weighed down by sharp falls in upstream crude prices. For solvent grade mixed xylenes, South Korea exported last month an estimated 50,696 tonnes, of which around 27% was destined for the US, according to ICIS data on 2 June. Strong exports to the US coincide with the start of the summer driving season in the northern hemisphere, when demand for octane boosters like MX and toluene, which goes into gasoline blending, picks up. This strong US gasoline demand expectation is supporting the supply tightness, despite weaker downstream activity in China. Asia’s aromatics tightness is likely to persist through June-August, as market participants adapt to tariff policies and freight cost pressures from front-loading following a trade war truce between the US and China. The US’ 90-day suspension on “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries except China ends on 9 July. A potential escalation of the US-China trade war after the 90-day truce could intensify uncertainties, though a resolution might stabilize flows by late Q3. For shipping, market players are expecting freight rates to start to drop again in July-August. MONSOON ONSET DEPRESSES INDIA PLASTICS DEMAND Prices for plastics in India are under pressure from the monsoon season, as well as more supply coming from China, market sources said. This year’s monsoon season, which typically runs from June-September, arrived eight days early and is projected to bring above-average rainfall, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 24 May. During India’s monsoon period, manufacturing activity tends to moderate, especially the packaging sector as well as the food and beverage sector, weakening end-product demand. Concurrently, domestic supply is ample, pushing down prices for Indian polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). But post-monsoon season from September, demand is likely to pick up as agriculture and construction sector activity rises and the harvesting season commences. The festive season, which includes the Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights) running from 18-23 October, is likely to increase demand for end-products such as plastics, hence, boost production leading to the holiday. Demand for chemicals such as PE, PP and PVC and synthetic rubbers is expected to improve after September. India’s strong domestic consumption would shield it from the US-China tariff war, whose impact on the south Asian nation’s petrochemical trades is mostly on sentiment and not on actual demand. China, however, has tried to push more material to India with cut prices amid the US-China trade war, as domestic demand in the world’s second-largest economy remained weak. The country is already redirecting PE and PP to Africa and India to offset reduced US access. But this offsetting has eased temporarily due to freight costs more than doubling in recent weeks. GCC SEES RENEWED OPPORTUNITY IN SYRIA In the Middle East, Syria is opening up following a regime change and the consequent lifting of sanctions by both the US and EU. A cargo of wheat arrived at the Syrian port of Tartous for the first time in around 11 years, according to news reports. The opening of Syria’s market – after years of civil war and international sanctions – bodes well for GCC petrochemical producers. The GCC bloc consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Suppliers are looking to increase their trades with Syria, as converters in the country begin running their plants at higher rates, with the possibility of new plants to be built. On 29 May, the Syrian government inked a $7 billion strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of companies led by Qatar’s UCC Holding to develop power generation projects. More such agreements, particularly as trade increases, could pave the way for increased demand in the country for chemicals and chemical products, after civil war disrupted life in Syria since 2011. Focus article by Jonathan Yee Additional reporting by Aswin Kondapally, Nadim Salamoun, Jasmine Khoo, Samuel Wong, Melanie Wee, and Angeline Soh. Thumbnail image: At Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province, 4 June 2025. (Shutterstock)

09-Jun-2025

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The US can maintain nearly all the plastic and chemical tariffs it imposed this year after an appeals court granted on Thursday the government's request to stay the judgment of a lower court. The stay will remain in place while the case is under consideration by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Earlier, the US lost a judgment over its tariffs in the US Court of International Trade. That lower court ruled that the president exceeded its authority when it imposed tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These IEEPA tariffs included nearly all of the duties that the US imposed in 2025 on imports of commodity plastics and chemicals. Had the appeals court rejected the government's request for a stay, then the US would have had 10 calendar days to withdraw the tariffs it imposed under IEEPA. The tariffs covered by the ruling include the following: The 10% baseline tariffs against most of the world that the US issued during its so-called Liberation Day event on 2 April. These include the reciprocal tariffs that were later paused. The US issued the tariffs under Executive Order 14257, which intended to address the nation's trade deficit. The tariffs that the US initially imposed on imports from Canada under Executive Order 14193. These were intended to address drug smuggling. The US later limited the scope of these tariffs to cover imported goods that do not comply with the nations' trade agreement, known as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The tariffs that the US initially imposed on imports from Mexico under Executive Order 14194. These were intended to address illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Like the Canadian tariffs, these were later limited to cover imported goods that did not comply with the USMCA. The 20% tariffs that the US imposed on imports from China under Executive Order 14195, which was intended to address drug smuggling. Because the appeals court granted the government's request for a stay, the US can maintain the IEEPA tariffs. The ruling did not cover sectoral tariffs imposed on specific products like steel, aluminium and auto parts, and it does not cover the duties that the US imposed on Chinese imports during the first term of US President Donald Trump. IMPLICATIONS OF THE RULINGIf the ruling is upheld by the higher courts, it could bring some imports of plastics and chemicals back to the US while lowering costs of other products. While the US has large surpluses in many plastics and chemicals, it still imports several key commodities. US states that border Canada import large amounts of polyethylene (PE) and other plastics from that country because it is closer than the nation's chemical hubs along the Gulf Coast. Other significant imports include base oils, ammonia, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), methanol and aromatics such as benzene, toluene and mixed xylenes (MX). RULING COULD REDIRECT CHINESE EXPORTS OF PLASTIC PRODUCTSThe IEEPA tariffs of the US caused countries to redirect exports of plastics and chemicals to other markets, particularly to Europe. The result depressed prices for those plastics and chemicals. If the ruling holds, some of those exports could return to the US and reduce the quantity of exports arriving in Europe. The IEEPA tariffs had a similar effect on the plastic products exports by China. Those exports were redirected to other countries, especially southeast Asia. These redirected shipments flooded those countries with plastic goods, displacing local products and lowering domestic demand for the plastics used to make those products. If the ruling is restored by higher courts, then it could direct many of those shipments back to the US, although they would unlikely affect shipments of auto parts. Those shipments are covered by the sectoral tariffs, and the court ruling did not void those tariffs. RULING REMOVES BASIS FOR RETALIATORY TARIFFS AGAINST US PLASTICS, CHEMSChina had already imposed blanket tariffs in retaliation to the IEEPA tariffs the US imposed on its exports. China unofficially granted waivers for US imports of ethane and PE, but those for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were still covered by the duty. China relies on such imports as feedstock for its large fleet of propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units, which produce on-purpose propylene. If upheld, the ruling could restore many of those exports and improve propylene margins for those PDH units. The EU was preparing to impose retaliatory tariffs on exports of nearly every major commodity plastic from the US. Other proposals would cover EU imports of oleochemicals, tall oil, caustic soda and surfactants from the US. Canada also prepared a list of retaliatory tariffs that covered US imports of PE, polypropylene (PP) and other plastics, chemicals and fertilizers. If the ruling holds, it would remove the basis for the proposed tariffs of Canada and the EU as well as the existing ones already imposed by China. RULING WOULD NOT ELIMINATE THREAT OF FUTURE TARIFFSEven if the higher courts uphold the ruling and bars tariffs under IEEPA, the US has other means to impose duties that are outside of the bounds of the ruling. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Such tariffs would be limited to 15%, could last for 150 days and address balance of payment deficits. Tariffs imposed under the following statutes would require federal investigations, which could delay them by several months. Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The president can impose tariffs of up to 50% against countries that discriminate against US commerce. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which addresses unfair trade practices. This was the basis on the tariffs imposed on many Chinese imports during the peak of the trade war between the two countries. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which addresses imports with implications for national security. Trump used this provision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum. The US has started Section 232 on the following imports: Pharmaceutical and active pharmaceutical ingredient (APIs) – Section 232 Semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment – Section 232 Medium and heavy-duty trucks, parts – Section 232 Critical minerals – Section 232 Copper – Section 232 Timber and lumber – Section 232 Commercial aircraft and jet engines – Section 232 Ship-to-shore cranes assembled in China or made with parts from China – Section 301 Shipbuilding – Section 301 The case number for the appeal is 2025-1812. The original lawsuit was filed in the US Court of International Trade by the plaintiffs VOS Selections, Genova Pipe, Microkits, FishUSA and Terry Precision Cycling. The case number is 25-cv-00066. Thumbnail Photo: A container ship, which transports goods overseas. (Image by Costfoto/NurPhoto/Shutterstock) Visit the ICIS Topic Page: US tariffs, policy – impact on chemicals and energy

29-May-2025

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The US delay of its proposed 50% tariffs on EU imports will still leave its polymers vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs. The new deadline is 9 July. For US exports, the EU has already drafted a list of targets for retaliatory tariffs, part of its second round of €95 billion in tariffs on US imports. A full list of all the proposed imports can be found here. This is on top of the first round of €21 billion in tariffs on US imports. A full list of all the proposed imports can be found here. In all, the EU could impose tariffs on nearly every major polymer from the US, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The EU is also considering tariffs on US imports of surfactants, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and tall oil, a feedstock used to make renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable naphtha. The following table lists some of the many plastics and chemicals proposed on the EU's second round of tariffs. CN CODE DESCRIPTION 28151200 sodium hydroxide "caustic soda" in aqueous solution "soda lye or liquid soda" 29053926 butane-1,4-diol or tetramethylene glycol [1,4-butanediol] having a bio-based carbon content of 100% by mass 29091910 tert-butyl ethyl ether (ethyl-tertio-butyl-ether, etbe) 29152100 acetic acid 29153200 vinyl acetate 29291000 isocyanates 32061100 pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide of a kind used for colouring any material or produce colorant preparations, containing >= 80% by weight of titanium dioxide calculated on the dry matter (excl. preparations of heading 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3212, 3213 and 3215) 32061900 pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide of a kind used for colouring any material or produce colorant preparations, containing < 80% by weight of titanium dioxide calculated on the dry matter (excl. preparations of heading 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3212, 3213 and 3215) 34023100 linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts 34023990 anionic organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale (excl. linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, and aqueous solution containing by weight 30-50% of disodium alkyl [oxydi(benzenesulphonate)]) 34024100 cationic organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale 34024200 non-ionic organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale (excl. soap) 34024900 organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale (excl. soap, anionic, cationic and non-ionic) 34025010 surface-active preparations put up for retail sale (excl. organic surface-active preparations in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin in the form of liquid or cream) 38030010 crude tall oil 38030090 tall oil, whether or not refined (excl. crude tall oil) 38170050 linear alkylbenzene 38170080 mixed alkylbenzenes and mixed alkylnaphthalenes, produced by the alkylation of benzene and naphthalene (excl. linear alkylbenzene and mixed isomers of cyclic hydrocarbons) 38231100 stearic acid, industrial 38231200 oleic acid, industrial 38231300 tall oil fatty acids, industrial 38231910 fatty acids, distilled 38231930 fatty acid distillate 38231990 fatty acids, industrial, monocarboxylic; acid oils from refining (excl. stearic acid, oleic acid and tall oil fatty acids, distilled fatty acids and fatty acid distillate) 38237000 fatty alcohols, industrial 38260010 fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters, containing by weight => 96,5 % of esters "famae" 38260090 biodiesel and mixtures thereof, not containing or containing < 70 % by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters containing by weight >= 96,5 % of esters "famae") 39013000 ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, in primary forms 39019080 polymers of ethylene, in primary forms (excl. polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-alpha-olefins copolymers having a specific gravity of < 0,94, ionomer resin consisting of a salt of a terpolymer of ethylene with isobutyl acrylate and methacrylic acid and a-b-a block copolymer of ethylene of polystyrene, ethylene-butylene copolymer and polystyrene, containing by weight <= 35% of styrene, in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms) 39021000 polypropylene, in primary forms 39023000 propylene copolymers, in primary forms 39029010 a-b-a block copolymer of propylene or of other olefins, of polystyrene, ethylene-butylene copolymer and polystyrene, containing by weight <= 35% of styrene, in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms 39029020 polybut-1-ene, a copolymer of but-1-ene with ethylene containing by weight <= 10% of ethylene, or a blend of polybut-1-ene with polyethylene and/or polypropylene containing by weight <= 10% of polyethylene and/or <= 25% of polypropylene, in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms 39031100 expansible polystyrene, in primary forms 39031900 polystyrene, in primary forms (excl. expansible) 39032000 styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers "san", in primary forms 39033000 acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers "abs", in primary forms 39039090 polymers of styrene, in primary forms (excl. polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers "san", acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene "abs", copolymer solely of styrene with allyl alcohol, of an acetyl value of >= 175 and brominated polystyrene, containing by weight >= 58% but <= 71% of bromine, in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms) 39041000 poly"vinyl chloride", in primary forms, not mixed with any other substances 39042100 non-plasticised poly"vinyl chloride", in primary forms, mixed with other substances 39042200 plasticised poly"vinyl chloride", in primary forms, mixed with other substances 39051200 poly"vinyl acetate", in aqueous dispersion 39051900 poly"vinyl acetate", in primary forms (excl. in aqueous dispersion) 39052100 vinyl acetate copolymers, in aqueous dispersion 39052900 vinyl acetate copolymers, in primary forms (excl. in aqueous dispersion) 39053000 poly"vinyl alcohol", in primary forms, whether or not containing unhydrolyzed acetate groups 39061000 poly"methyl methacrylate", in primary forms 39071000 polyacetals, in primary forms 39072911 polyethylene glycols, in primary forms 39072920 polyether alcohols, in primary forms (excl. bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate and polyethylene glycols) 39072999 polyethers in primary forms (excl. polyether alcohols, polyacetals and copolymer of 1- chloro-2,3-epoxypropane with ethylene oxide) 39073000 epoxide resins, in primary forms 39074000 polycarbonates, in primary forms 39075000 alkyd resins, in primary forms 39076100 poly"ethylene terephthalate", in primary forms, having a viscosity number of >= 78 ml/g 39076900 poly"ethylene terephthalate", in primary forms, having a viscosity number of < 78 ml/g 39079110 unsaturated liquid polyesters, in primary forms (excl. polycarbonates, alkyd resins, poly"ethylene terephthalate" and poly"lactic acid") 39079190 unsaturated polyesters, in primary forms (excl. liquid, and polycarbonates, alkyd resins, poly"ethylene terephthalate" and poly"lactic acid") 39079980 polyesters, saturated, in primary forms (excl. polycarbonates, alkyd resins, poly"ethylene terephthalate", poly"lactic acid", poly"ethylene naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate" and thermoplastic liquid crystal aromatic polyester copolymers) 39089000 polyamides, in primary forms (excl. polyamides-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 and -6,12) 39091000 urea resins and thiourea resins, in primary forms 39092000 melamine resins, in primary forms 39093100 poly"methylene phenyl isocyanate" "crude mdi, polymeric mdi", in primary forms 39094000 phenolic resins, in primary forms 39095010 polyurethane of 2,2'-"tert-butylimino"diethanol and 4,4'-methylenedicyclohexyl diisocyanate, in the form of a solution in n,n-dimethylacetamide, containing by weight >= 50% of polymer 39095090 polyurethanes in primary forms (excl. polyurethane of 2,2'-"tert-butylimino"diethanol and 4,4'-methylenedicyclohexyl diisocyanate, in the form of a solution in n,ndimethylacetamide) Source: EU CN CODE DESCRIPTION 39011010 linear polyethylene with a specific gravity of < 0,94, in primary forms 39011090 polyethylene with a specific gravity of < 0,94, in primary forms (excl. linear polyethylene) 39012010 polyethylene in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms, of a specific gravity of >= 0,958 at 23°c, containing <= 50 mg/kg of aluminium, <= 2 mg/kg of calcium, of chromium, of iron, of nickel and of titanium each and <= 8 mg/kg of vanadium, for the manufacture of chlorosulphonated polyethylene 39012090 polyethylene with a specific gravity of >= 0,94, in primary forms (excl. polyethylene in blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, flakes and similar bulk forms, of a specific gravity of >= 0,958 at 23°c, containing <= 50 mg/kg of aluminium, <= 2 mg/kg of calcium, of chromium, of iron, of nickel and of titanium each and <= 8 mg/kg of vanadium, for the manufacture of chlorosulphonated polyethylene) 39014000 ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of < 0,94 , in primary forms 39081000 polyamides-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12, in primary forms Source: EU

27-May-2025

LONDON (ICIS)–US President Donald Trump has warned of plans to impose a  50% tariff on imports from the EU starting on 1 June. In a post on the Truth Social platform, which is owned by Trump, on Friday, the US President said negotiations with the EU “were going nowhere” and said the bloc “has been very difficult to deal with”. “Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable,” the post on social media read. Trump went on to stipulate that no tariff would be applied if the product was built or manufactured in the US, but did not clarify how this would pertain to raw materials higher up the value chain. As a net importer, the repercussions for the European chemicals industry may be cushioned from direct tariffs, although this could have more of an impact for certain products like benzene or paraxylene (PX). The EU has declined to respond to the latest announcement. On 9 May, the EU launched a public consultation to determine which US products should be subject to levies, including many chemicals and plastics. The consultation is scheduled to remain open until 10 June, as the EU Commission also consults on restricting certain EU steel scrap and chemical products worth €4.4bn to the US. A 50% duty is an escalation from the previous 20% tariff announced by President Trump on 2 April, when levies of varying degrees were applied to most international trading partners, including a 10% baseline rate for the majority of countries. Tensions between the US and EU eased after a 90-day pause was agreed in early April to allow time for discussions to pave the way for a deal palatable to both parties. Since the initial announcement, the US secured a deal with the UK, with a 10% tariff for auto parts (down from 27.5%), keeping the previously announced baseline 10% rate in place. In exchange, the US will have increased access to UK chemicals, ethanol, and beef markets. The US also agreed a 90-day pause with China on 12 May, allowing Chinese imports to the US to be subject to a 30% tax instead of the 145% tariff, with US goods to China held at a 10% rate instead of 125%. thumbnail photo source: Shutterstock

23-May-2025

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 16 May. INSIGHT: Markets rally as US, China de-escalate tariffs stand-offMarkets and chemicals stocks rallied on Monday in the wake of an agreement by the US and China to dramatically cut reciprocal tariff rates for 90 days, signalling the first step in a de-escalation of trade tensions. INSIGHT: Limited improvements in demand for toluene and downstream sectors in EuropeNo significant growth is expected for toluene consumption in the near future, with long markets for certain isocyanates, a disappointing start to the summer driving season and tepid benzene demand stymying near-term growth hopes. INSIGHT: Sale of SABIC assets in Europe could make strategic senseA sale by SABIC of its European petrochemical assets could make strategic sense as the company has production in the Middle East, US and China, which benefit from much lower production costs. Europe butac sellers voice concerns over cheaper Chinese imports amid weak demandButyl acetate (butac) sellers in Europe have grown increasingly concerned about competitively-priced imports from China. As spot buying appetite in the continent is already subdued, domestic sellers are facing intense competition to offload material. European OX market flatlines as construction demand struggles, tariff uncertainty continuesHopes for a pick-up in European orthoxylene (OX) demand for the rest of 2025 are fading among downstream phthalic anhydride (PA) producers, as orders from the key construction sector remain flat year on year in the early stages of the warm season.

19-May-2025

BANGKOK (ICIS)–Asia benzene prices saw an uptrend early week. However, by Friday, these gains were erased by a drop in crude prices. Market gets boost from US-China trade breakthrough Early week increases of over $50/tonne eroded by oil drop at week's close Caution over sustainability of uptrend amid incoming European cargoes In this chemical podcast, Asia benzene editor Angeline Soh discusses the situation and some insights from the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

16-May-2025

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 9 May. S Arabia's SABIC swings to Q1 net loss amid higher operating costs By Jonathan Yee 05-May-25 11:36 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–SABIC swung to a net loss of Saudi riyal (SR) 1.21 billion ($323 million) in the first quarter on the back of higher feedstock prices and operating costs, the Saudi Arabian chemicals giant said on 4 May. Ethane fuss cools for NE Asia C2, positions reassessed over Labor Day break By Josh Quah 05-May-25 20:24 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The early May holidays probably could not have come at a more appropriate time for Asia ethylene players, with players noting that the pause in spot discussions was a good time to take stock of positions going into June shipment talks. Malaysia's Lotte Chemical Titan narrows Q1 net loss on improved margins By Nurluqman Suratman 06-May-25 14:46 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–LOTTE Chemical Titan (LCT) narrowed its first quarter (Q1) net loss to ringgit (M$) 125.7 million ($29.7 million) amid improved margins, the Malaysian producer said on 5 May. Singapore's Aster acquires CPSC at undisclosed fee By Nurluqman Suratman 07-May-25 12:33 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Aster Chemicals and Energy has reached a sales and purchase agreement to acquire Chevron Phillips Singapore Chemicals (CPSC) through its affiliate, Chandra Asri Capital, at an undisclosed fee, the Singapore-based producer said on Wednesday. Vietnam’s economy to slow despite exports jump, lower inflation – Moody's By Jonathan Yee 07-May-25 16:16 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Escalating trade tensions with the US are casting a shadow over Vietnam’s growth trajectory in 2025, despite continued growth in exports as well as lower inflation. China SM plagued by weak fundamentals and falling feedstock By Aviva Zhang 07-May-25 16:44 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s styrene monomer (SM) prices fell sharply in April, as a result of decreasing crude oil prices and weak end-user demand expectations caused by the China-US tariff conflicts. The domestic market is likely to face headwinds from supply, feedstock and downstream sectors in May. Asia refined glycerine trades to Europe to be spurred by weak Chinese demand By Helen Yan 08-May-25 14:43 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–European demand for refined glycerine may lend support to regional glycerine producers in southeast Asia, who have been faced with persistently sluggish Chinese demand. Asia VAM plant margins to get a lift from westbound trades By Hwee Hwee Tan 09-May-25 13:08 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) producers are eyeing improved netbacks from expansion in westbound shipments as regional trade margins narrow into the second quarter. Asia capro remains pressured by weak benzene, cautious demand outlook By Isaac Tan 09-May-25 13:11 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Spot prices for caprolactam (capro) in Asia continued to soften in the week ending 7 May, weighed down by persistent losses in the upstream benzene market and a lack of recovery in downstream demand. China Apr export growth slows to 8.1% amid tariff uncertainty By Nurluqman Suratman 09-May-25 16:03 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China's export growth slowed to 8.1% year on year in April from 12.4% in March in US dollar terms, underscoring the increasing impact of US tariffs amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding a potential trade agreement.

12-May-2025

LONDON (ICIS)–Demand in the EU and US epoxy markets remains muted and sentiment has become even more cautious, as players navigate the changing and complex tariff landscape. In this podcast, Heidi Finch – who covers the Europe epoxy market – and fellow senior editor Tarun Raizada – who covers the US epoxy market – share insights on key topics including tariffs, effects on sentiment, demand and profitability struggles. Europe epoxy sentiment diluted in April; as US President Donald Trump's tariffs add to demand caution; competition from South Korea and within Europe US epoxy price momentum slowed in April as players scrambled to assess impact on supply chain of duty/tariff fallout Profitability still a challenge; but benzene drop in Europe provides some relief Sentiment cautious in US moving forward as demand outlook far less favorable amid extended tariff uncertainty Trump tariffs cast a cloud over the downstream outlook, EU players hope trade deals will be reached Podcast editing by Nick Cleeve

02-May-2025

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Mexico’s chemicals fortunes seem to be turning for the better after the country was spared from the most punitive US’ import taxes, according to an executive at chemicals distributor major Ravago’s Mexican subsidiary. Pedro Escalona, sales director at Entecresins Mexico, said demand for most polymers has notably picked up in the past weeks, with order which were on hold now flowing to more optimistic customers. Among the main polymers, only polypropylene (PP) remains in the doldrums, said Escalona, haunted by low prices for the monomer. Overall though sentiment is on the up and has been so especially since 2 April, when the US announced sweeping tariffs but spared its trade partners within the USMCA free trade zone, Mexico and Canada. Prior tariffs in some sectors, however, remain, and Escalona said automotive seems for now the most problematic sector. “For the rest, people seem to start assuming Mexico will be spared from the worst possible scenario,” said Escalona. WHAT ONE MONTH CAN CHANGESpeaking to Escalona, practically everything seems to have changed in one month, with exception of PP. In an interview with ICIS during the plastics trade fair Plastimagen in Mexico City in mid-March, the Entec executive painted a doom-and-gloom picture of both chemicals and wider manufacturing, with falling prices and domestic and overseas woes mounting. As of Thursday, 24 April, this is what he had to say: “Even a month ago, or even less, even two weeks ago, there were a lot of people holding orders, saying they were unsure whether they would need the product for May, or even for June. Some large clients, while not cancelling any orders, were starting to say they may need to lower consumption going forward,” said Escalona. “But in the last few weeks, there is more confidence in general, and people are already confident in going out to make purchases. Everyone seems to be more optimistic in that we don't think anything will finally happen that will significantly affect Mexico’s economy.” A stone on the positive story, however, remains the large, petrochemicals intensive automotive sector on which US President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs prior to 2 April. Analysts have said the tariffs, in their current form, could greatly dent the sector’s competitiveness. But sources in chemicals remain optimistic Mexico could use this chance to increase its USMCA compliance, mostly related to rules of origin which would at the same increase its manufacturing stance and integrate it even more with the US economy. As the US tries to contain China’s formidable rise in global supply chains, other sources have said the US would shoot itself on the foot going against Canada and Mexico, economies which are now well integrated within the North American free trade zone. The battle should be, they said, North America as a block versus the other large trading blocs. “Automotive still has over its head a lot of uncertainty, because there are some issues that haven't been fully defined yet regarding automotive components. That's the only one that still has some uncertainty,” said Escalona. “Demand is not the best it could be, but it is not too bad either. PP is still suffering from low prices for the monomer, which is expected to fall further. But for the rest of plastics, PE [polyethylene], PS [polystyrene], and for PET [polyethylene terephthalate] there has been some notable price rises.” Escalona said that US companies must have done their important bit of lobbying to the Trump administration about how harming tariffs on Mexico could be for them, as well. The absence of Mexico and Canada on the board Trump exhibited on 2 April quickly raised the prospects that, behind the scenes, renegotiation of the USMCA deal is well underway, an assessment Escalona deemed possible. But equally, he said there may be starting to be a realization within the Trump administration that punitive, sudden import tariffs to certain countries – not least China – would deprive the US of key markets it needs to sell materials of which it is oversupplied. “[Very punitive tariffs on Mexico] Just wasn't convenient for the US. We’ll need to see what happens, but I think the US is also going to have to sit down and negotiate with China. The US is full of raw materials it exports to China – monomers such ethane, propane, benzene… That’s why prices are falling,” said Escalona. “There are many things they plan for, and the initial strategy was to renegotiate with tariffs as a pressure measure. But clearly, they are going to have to reconsider this and fine-tune several aspects.” DOMESTIC FRONT: LESS OPTIMISMWhile most analysts think Mexico has done good progress on issues key for Trump, such migration at the border and stricter measures to control fentanyl trade – a powerful drug which has caused havoc across the US – the domestic policies of President Claudia Sheinbaum remain a red flag for many chemicals players. With a declared intention to expand the welfare state, Mexico may be turning into the ‘nanny state’ which does not incentivize competitiveness, some sources said at Plastimagen. Moreover, fiscal policy has been loose under Sheinbaum’s predecessor, also from the left-leaning Morena party. The expansion in the welfare state was mostly funded by debt, and fiscal deficits were recurrent. Sheinbaum has promised to remedy that and seems more open to the necessary private investments needed in Mexico to propel it to be a key part in the nearshoring trend – North American companies bringing manufacturing facilities closer to home. But Sheinbaum has ploughed through other measures in parliament which are worrying business. Thanks to the supermajority of two thirds of seats in Parliament voters granted Morena in June 2024 – and propelled Sheinbaum to the top with 60% of popular vote – the government approved a judicial reform, which most analysts agree is to weaken the rule of law, in a country much needed of stronger rule of law. A key measure in the bill was that judges would be elected by voters, which has sparked fears the well-funded and strong organized crime will have it easier to silence the judiciary. Escalona, not impressed, said those elections for judges have started and told how he feels weird seeing advertisements by candidates on boards or media outlets. Seeing adverts to vote for judges clearly does not feel right, he came to say. “We have had plenty of politicians who were not prepared or educated for the positions they were chosen for. While it’s not optimal, it can be expected in a democracy. But the job of a judge, and in country like Mexico, is a completely different matter,” he said. “And, invariably, you can see all kinds of people running to be judges. It’s tremendous. We’ll need to see how this pans out, but everyone seems to agree that this will weaken the rule of law – and that is not good for economic development and stability." Interview article by Jonathan López Clarification: Re-casts subsidiary name in paragraph two. Entec Polymers, as written previously, is Ravago's subsidiary in the US

24-Apr-2025