Introduction

Red Sea shipping issues have been the hot topic in Q1 with import delays opening up domestic demand opportunities and leading to a firmer price sentiment in some markets. There have been some increase in buying in January, but underlying demand is yet to recover in a shaky macro-economic climate. 

Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and Meeta Ramnani (polycarbonate) discuss the impact of rising sea freight and feedstock costs in the acetone, phenol and derivatives markets.