PODCAST: Asia fatty alcohol market uptrend may prompt switch to LAB

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.

At the same time, linear alkyl benzene (LAB) markets in east Asia and south Asia have remained in the doldrums despite expectations of an improvement in September.

The weak performance in the crude oil and upstream markets since July has weighed on sentiment and led to caution among buyers.

• Limited spot availability to lend near-term support to midcuts C12-14 prices
• Heavy fatty alcohol plant shutdown schedule in Sep-Nov in Asia
• LAB market could potentially improve on upstream revival
• Elevated fatty alcohols midcut market could prompt switching to LAB

In this chemical podcast, ICIS senior editor manager Clive Ong and senior editor Helen Yan discuss the recent market conditions in Asia, as well as the outlook ahead.