Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 27 September.

Asia BD market sentiment to be driven by domestic China fluctuations
By Ai Teng Lim 24-Sep-24 13:05 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asian spot prices for butadiene (BD) imports made sizeable gains this month, alongside a bullish domestic yuan-denominated market in China.

China petrochemical futures rally on fresh economic measures
By Fanny Zhang 24-Sep-24 16:42 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s petrochemical futures markets surged on Tuesday following announcement of fresh measures to rev up activity in the world’s second-biggest economy.

India to be among global oil demand growth drivers in 2023-2050 – OPEC
By Nurluqman Suratman 25-Sep-24 13:09 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–India is expected be a major driver of global long-term oil demand growth through to 2050, alongside the Middle East and Africa, OPEC said in a report.

Market diversification key to weather challenges in Asia recycling
By Arianne Perez 23-Sep-24 12:46 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asian producers of recycled polyolefins have been struggling to stay afloat since 2023 amid a general slump in trade of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs).

Slow recovery in Asia petrochemical markets; Q4 sentiment bearish
By Jonathan Yee 25-Sep-24 14:26 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Macroeconomic challenges in China have kept overall sentiment bearish in Asia’s petrochemical markets, but there was a late pick-up in demand for some products just days before a week-long holiday in the country in October.

Intra-Asia VAM spot trades may contract amid downstream woes
By Hwee Hwee Tan 26-Sep-24 10:46 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s import demand for vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is being dampened by slower demand and macroeconomic woes persisting into the fourth quarter of 2024.

INSIGHT: China 2024 crude imports, throughput to fall on economic headwinds
By Patricia Tao 27-Sep-24 14:27 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China is expected to record lower crude oil imports and refinery throughput this year on weaker-than-expected distillates demand during the typical peak consumption season amid economic headwinds and increased market penetration of alternative fuels.

PODCAST: Asia fatty alcohol market uptrend may prompt switch to LAB
By Damini Dabholkar 24-Sep-24 14:24 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Prices of Asia’s fatty alcohol midcuts may be nearing a ceiling as demand from Europe is expected to wane after October, given the looming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) which starts on 30 December.