Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 29 June 2018.

Pakistan PE outlook mixed ahead of July discussions
Pakistan’s near-term demand and price outlook for different grades of polyethylene (PE) is mixed as some grades are facing supply constraints while others are amply available.

Asia BD may be near bottom as demand picks up for August cargoes
Asia butadiene (BD) spot may be near bottom because of increased buying interest for August loadings amid a rebound in the Chinese domestic market.

China acetone at two-year low as supply outstrips demand
China’s domestic acetone prices fell to a two-year low amid increased supply in June while demand is weak, with downstream plants at major production hubs running at reduced capacities due to strict government-led environmental checks.

Asia refined glycerine trades stable-to-firm, but pressure remains
Asia’s refined glycerine will continue to face pressure from lengthening supply though some recent deals have taken place at higher values.

Asia PS soft on lower SM, market wary of US-China trade spat
Asia polystyrene (PS) is softening tracking styrene monomer (SM) movements with the market warily watching the on-going trade spat between China and US, which has the potential to disrupt demand and global economy.

China BPA market stable; July demand gets boost from PC start-up
China’s bisphenol A (BPA) market has largely been stable in June amid lukewarm demand from downstream epoxy resins sector, but consumption will get a boost next month with the expected start-up of a new polycarbonate (PC) plant.

Asia naphtha eases on supply flows; spot premiums slump
Asia’s naphtha prices have slumped on ample supply, as have spot premiums, with deep-sea cargo flows from the west set to rise, according to traders.

China’s Shandong methanol faces downward pressure on tepid demand
Shandong China’s spot methanol prices are likely to face further downward pressure for the next few weeks as a result of seasonal low demand in summers.

SE Asia PP weak amid seasonal demand lull, US-China trade tensions
Southeast Asia’s polypropylene (PP) prices may come under further pressure in July due to a seasonal lull in demand, with market sentiment bearish amid escalating trade tensions between the US and China.