PODCAST: Melamine upstream focus – key factors to watch out for in gas, ammonia and urea markets during Q4

LONDON (ICIS)–European Melamine Editor Melissa Hurley interviews Energy Market Reporter Lars Hoeylo Kjoellesdal, Senior Editor Sylvia Traganida, Deputy Managing Editor Deepika Thapliyal and Market Reporter Joy Foo.

Ammonia, urea and gas market factors to consider for Q4 include:

• Volatile gas prices illustrate a finely balanced market
• Tight ammonia availability; some scheduled maintenances expected
• Unexpected gas-related shutdowns in Egypt short-lived; India urea tenders boost sentiment
• Certain factors support global urea market despite thin demand in Europe
• Demand in China showing signs of recovery before National Day holiday (1-7 October)
• China’s average melamine operating rates hovering around 60%; market to track urea costs
• European melamine production cost pressure versus slow demand recovery

Additional reporting from Energy Market Reporter Lars Hoeylo Kjoellesdal, Senior Editor Sylvia Traganida, Deputy Managing Editor Deepika Thapliyal and Market Reporter Joy Foo.

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