ICIS - chemical podcasts

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Northeast Asia continued to see an oversupply of ethylene, and downstream margins remained weak. The supply-demand balance is expected to improve with a slowdown in capacity growth in China. In southeast Asia, the market is likely to continue to be under pressure in H2 2024. NE Asia in oversupply as players begin looking to H2 2024 arrivals Standalone-based derivatives margins remain weak NE Asia and US arbitrage weighs on SE Asia market, downstream demand tepid In this podcast, Markets Editor Josh Quah and Analysts Amy Yu and Shariene Goh discuss trends in the Asian ethylene market and what we can expect in the near future.

In this podcast, ICIS editors Hwee Hwee Tan and Jady Ma discuss current trends in Asia's acetic acid market. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Earlier than usual re-stocking activities of gasoline blend stocks had curbed the price gains for paraxylene (PX) in Asia, while a lack of strong demand growth in the downstream purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and polyester markets had kept market confidence low.   Key PX bullish factor is the limited new capacity expansions Asia adds two new downstream PTA capacities in the first half of the year ICIS expects PX prices to be supported in Q3, but Q4 to face a downward pressure  In this podcast, Senior Editor Samuel Wong and Senior Analyst Jimmy Zhang discuss trends in the Asian PX market and what we can expect in the near future.

The White House announced on 14 May that it would increase tariffs on $18 billion worth of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses. How will this latest development impact China’s LPG supplies from the US, which was the second largest LPG exporter to China in 2023, following the Mideast.  In 2018, China raised the import tariff on US LPG from 1% to 25% in retaliation to tariffs hikes implemented by the former US president Donald Trump.   In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Lillian Ren shares insights on the potential impact on Chinese imports of LPG, including propane and butane. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The ample supply of propylene in Asia as well as some new polypropylene (PP) capacities in China is expected to weigh on discussions in SE Asia in the coming months. Asia C3 to see length from China PDH restarts, SE Asia volumes China PP exports to weigh on SE Asia discussions  Asia PP prices to come under pressure in June-July In this podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan, Jackie Wong and Lucy Shuai discuss some of the trends in the Asian propylene and PP markets and what we can expect going forward.

This podcast discusses the cautious approach of Asian oxo-alcohols buyers, limited ACN spot demand, and the impact of Chinese capacities on market sentiment. It also covers the influence of BIS regulations on Chinese import flows in SE Asia and NE Asia, providing insights on trends in the Asia propylene and derivatives markets.

Phosphates prices have been under pressure in India recently, while demand is expected to return strong soon. Meanwhile, the lack of ammonia spot demand globally is weighing down on the market. Phosphates editor Chris Vlachopoulos talks to senior editor Sylvia Traganida about the state of the phosphates market ahead of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) annual conference (20-22 May).

The closure of chemical plants in Europe and elsewhere could remove essential raw material supplies, threatening the future of downstream industrial value chains. -          Global oversupply, driven by China, forecast to reach over 200 million tonnes/year by 2028-          Interconnected value chains threatened if important raw materials cease production-          Globally 20 million tonnes of ethylene capacity may need to be shut down by 2030-          In Europe 5.6 million tonnes/year of polypropylene (PP) capacity may need to close-          Integrated chemicals sites under threat if parts shut down-          Industry associations could help plan to maintain critical raw materials supplies-          Anti-dumping measures could protect exposed markets-          China polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overcapacity may increase exports globally

It is a rarity to see sulphur or sulphuric acid take centre-stage in Europe when discussing a lack of feedstock for downstream petrochemicals - but tight supply for both has become a key talking point through the first and second quarter of 2024.ICIS' Senior Editor for sulphuric acid, Andy Hemphill, and Julia Meehan, Managing Editor of ICIS Fertilizers, discuss what caused this tightness and explore what options the industry has to counter the crippling shortages.

Join European Senior Editor/Manager Vicky Ellis, as she talks to European and African PE/PP Senior Editor Ben Lake and Turkey PE/PP Senior Editor/Manager Samantha Wright. The group discuss the coming month, as players see sentiment cool from a hectic first quarter. Senior Analyst, Lorenzo Meazza also drops in to react to Lyondell Basel's announcement that it plans to "review" all European polymer and olefin assets. Following on from announcements of closures of Exxon and Sabic crackers.