Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 13 January 2023.

PODCAST: China’s MTBE export market to remain active in 2023 amid oversupply
By Aviva Zhang 12-Jan-23 16:16 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–In this podcast, ICIS analysts Candy Nie and Aviva Zhang review developments in the methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market in 2022 and discuss its outlook for 2023.

China petrochemical players build stocks on hopes of strong post-holiday demand
By Fanny Zhang 12-Jan-23 11:20 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Players in China’s petrochemical markets are actively building up stocks on expectation of a strong recovery in post-Lunar New Year demand.

Asia MIBK soars on plant closure; rising COVID-19 cases in China cap gains
By Angeline Soh 11-Jan-23 13:07 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) prices have soared following a surprise end-December shutdown of LCY Chem’s plant in Zhenjiang, China.

China phenol oversupply to ease on likely output cuts, more exports to India
By Helen Lee 10-Jan-23 14:23 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s phenol oversupply may ease as producers were expected to cut output due to mounting margin pressure, and amid possibility of more exports given an open arbitrage window to India.

QatarEnergy, Chevron Phillips sign $6bn deal for Ras Laffan petrochemicals complex
By Nurluqman Suratman 09-Jan-23 10:02 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–QatarEnergy has made a final investment decision (FID) to build the $6bn Ras Laffan petrochemicals complex with partner Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem), the state-run energy firm said on Sunday.

PODCAST: Asia fatty acids expected to recover in Feb, after Lunar New Year lull
By Damini Dabholkar 11-Jan-23 16:03 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s fatty acids market is likely to see a pick-up in demand in February as players are mostly staying on the side-lines ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on 22 January this year.