Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 15 November.

INSIGHT: India’s ADD findings on PVC have potential to reshape regional flows in wider Asia
By Jonathan Chou 11-Nov-24 11:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market players are assessing the potential ramifications following preliminary findings on India’s PVC imports released by the country’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

Asia petrochemical shares tumble as China stimulus disappoints
By Jonathan Yee 11-Nov-24 15:04 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Shares of petrochemical companies in Asia tumbled on Monday as China’s much-awaited stimulus measures failed to impress markets, while the US is likely to put up more trade barriers against the Asian giant following the re-election of Donald Trump as president.

Asia toluene markets slump on waning regional demand
By Melanie Wee 12-Nov-24 11:47 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s toluene spot markets are being weighed down by a combination of burgeoning supply and lacklustre demand, at a time when arbitrage economics to divert material to the US were unviable.

Asia petrochemical shares fall on strong US dollar, uncertain trade policies
By Nurluqman Suratman 13-Nov-24 14:07 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Shares of petrochemical companies in Asia extended losses on Wednesday, tracking weakness in regional bourses, amid a strong US dollar and uncertainty over trade policies of US President-elect Donald Trump which could fuel inflation.

Shell Singapore site divestment deal to be completed in Q1 2025
By Nurluqman Suratman 14-Nov-24 11:41 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Shell expects the deal to sell its energy and chemicals park in Singapore to Chandra Asri and Glencore will be completed by the first quarter of 2025, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.

INSIGHT: China may accelerate PP exports amid intensified supply and demand imbalance
By Lucy Shuai 14-Nov-24 13:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China may accelerate PP exports in 2025 amid an intensified imbalance between supply and demand as a large number of new plants are expected to start up.

PODCAST: SE Asia propylene to face additional supply, freight challenges in 2025
By Damini Dabholkar 15-Nov-24 11:28 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Southeast Asia’s propylene market faces significant challenges in 2025, with additional supply expected and freight rates continuing to impact downstream demand.

Crimped supplies ease pressure on Asia VAM prices
By Hwee Hwee Tan 15-Nov-24 14:36 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Sporadic plant disruptions and crimped supplies in China are fuelling expectations of price competition easing across vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) import markets in Asia.