Introduction

The arbitrage between Europe and northeast Asia opened up in Q1 as OQ Chemicals declared force majeure on oxo-alcohols at its German site, tightening the European market.

However, as underlying European demand remains sluggish and economic malaise continues, import opportunities for Asian sellers may be short lived.

Europe markets editor, Nicole Simpson, and Asia markets editor, Julia Tan, discuss the outlook for supply, demand and trade flows in the coming quarter.