Asia top stories - weekly summary

03 January 2011 01:00  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle east for the week ended 31 December 2010.

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OUTLOOK '11: Strong auto sector to support Asia base oils market
The Asian base oils market next year will continue to be driven by the fast growing economies of China and India, where rising disposable incomes spur demand for automobiles.

OUTLOOK ’11: New supply may halt Asia SBR uptrend from March
Spot styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices in Asia may continue its uptrend until March, when surplus supply and China’s credit tightening policy start to bite, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’11: Asia MTBE to ease on shrinking Chinese demand
Asia methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) prices are expected to ease in the coming months, as Chinese import demand for the octane booster fizzles out, along with a weakening gasoline market, traders said.

OUTLOOK '11: Asia naphtha to firm until cracker turnarounds begin
Asia naphtha prices are expected to firm in early 2011, stoked by robust global crude futures at above $91/bbl (€69/tonne) as a bitter cold winter in Europe and US northeast sparks demand for home heating, traders said.

OUTLOOK ’11: China demand holds key to Asia toluene prospects
China’s growing toluene demand, mainly fuelled by its booming automotive sector, will likely support prices of the aromatics product in Asia next year, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’11: Tight Asia caprolactam supply to keep prices firm
Asian caprolactam prices will be firmly supported as the tight supply experienced throughout 2010 is likely to prevail next year, industry sources said

OUTLOOK '11: Middle East PE, PP players to see strong H1 margins
The polyolefins industry in the Middle East is expected to see decent margins in the first half of 2011, on the back of snug supply and high prices, industry sources said.

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By: Staff Reporter
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