Asia top stories - weekly summary

05 April 2010 02:00  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Here are some of the top stories from ICIS news Asia and the Middle east for the week ended 1 April 2010.

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Interview - Thailand's PTT Chemical eyes overseas M&A opportunities
Thai petrochemicals major PTT Chemical is evaluating further investment opportunities overseas, including mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and new projects.

NPRA ’10: India eyes environmental okay for new hubs by early ‘11
The government of India expects environmental approvals for the petrochemicals hub development plans it is supporting in three states to be reached within a year.

China's Sinopec 2009 net profit more than doubles to $9bn
Sinopec, Asia’s biggest refiner, has more than doubled its net profit to CNY61.8bn ($9bn) in 2009 due to a recovery in demand for oil products and chemicals

Focus - Record natural rubber values tug at synthetic rubber pricesGlobal synthetic rubber prices may surge on likely strong orders from tyre-makers looking for a cheaper alternative raw material to natural rubber.

Focus - Asia’s PE makers face margin squeeze in H2 2010
Polyethylene (PE) producers in Asia are bracing for thinner margins in the second half of 2010 due to fierce competition from cost competitive Middle East supplies and high crude oil prices.

Focus - China petchem imports slump in holiday-shortened February
China’s petrochemical imports significantly declined in February due to sluggish demand in the weeks leading to the Lunar New Year holidays, with volume intake likely to improve this month.

Focus - Taiwan’s FPC shuns Jenwu plant shutdown; PVC buyers relieved
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) buyers in Asia are relieved that Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Corp (FPC) will not have to shut its vinyls facilities in Jenwu over pollution charges.

Focus - Asian benzene prices hit two-month high; may strengthen further
Benzene prices in Asia hit a two-month high on Tuesday and may rise further in the next few weeks on the back of bullish aromatics markets in the US and Europe and strong crude values.

Interview - NPRA ’10: Asia to be region of growth for EO product chain
Asia will lead the demand growth of ethylene oxide (EO) product chain including mono ethylene glocol (MEG) in coming years with global consumption rising about 6% annually.

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By: Staff Reporter
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