Europe chemical industry outlook for 2012

OUTLOOK '12: Europe Q1 solvents demand expected to stay weak
European solvents suppliers are expecting low demand in the first quarter of 2012 because of weak macroeconomic conditions and the traditional off-peak season in the major construction and automotive sectors.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe oxo-alcohols market expects no shocks in 2012
The European oxo-alcohols market ended 2011 with poor demand, low stocks and “unacceptable” margins, as poor macroeconomic conditions continue to depress domestic demand and limit export opportunities.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe chlor-alkali market to rebalance
Despite continuous cuts in chlorine production, the European caustic soda market could lengthen in the first quarter of 2012 if demand from key downstream markets such as aluminium, mining and pulp and paper continues to soften beyond the year-end.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe SBR producers look to Asia for Q1 sales
Macroeconomic uncertainties and low demand in Europe on the one hand and good export opportunities with increasing prices in Asia on the other are likely to shape the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) market in 2012, market participants said.

OUTLOOK ’12: Chemical M&A market faces challenges
After a record year for global chemical mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2011, the deal market is likely to fall in 2012, in terms of dollar volumes, as players struggle with an uncertain economic outlook and financing challenges.

OUTLOOK ’12: Africa PE, PP demand steady despite global woes
Growth in local consumption will offset Africa's exposure to domestic and international crises and help to sustain current levels of polyolefin demand, industry sources believe.

OUTLOOK '12: Market sees sustained demand for Europe phenol
Uncertainty is by far the most commonly used word to describe the outlook for phenol and its major derivative, bisphenol A (BPA), in 2012, market sources say.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe chem producers face financial headwinds
The year started brightly for so many European chemical companies but good times were short-lived as earnings were battered by a turbulent economic climate and the continuing eurozone debt crisis during the second half.

OUTLOOK '12: Tough year expected for PA on structural oversupply
The European phthalic anhydride (PA) market is in need of consolidation because of a 100,000 tonne/year structural oversupply, according to estimates.

OUTLOOK ’12: Europe MA players see risk of 2012 price bubbles
European maleic anhydride (MA) buyers and sellers are divided over their growth forecasts for 2012, depending on their macroeconomic outlook.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe PET set to lengthen but tempered by tight PX
European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is likely to lengthen in 2012, partly because of new production capacities coming on-stream, but this could be tempered by a tight upstream paraxylene (PX) market, sources said.

OUTLOOK ’12: Global methanol has potential to remain stable
As ever, the year ahead for the global methanol market holds myriad variables and uncertainties.

OUTLOOK ’12: Uncertainty for Europe base oils after prolonged price slide
The outlook for 2012 for the European group I base oils market is one of uncertainty, following steady price declines over recent months because of poor demand, market sources have said.

OUTLOOK '12: Europe plasticisers head in different directions
Producers' efforts to reduce operating rates and inventory levels have stabilised prices in the European plasticisers market after six months of steady decreases because of low downstream consumption.

OUTLOOK '12: Prompt recovery for Europe PVC market in 2012 unlikely
There is little hope of a prompt recovery in demand for European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) next year, as growth in the key downstream construction industry, which accounts for more than 50% of PVC consumption, is unlikely to rise above pre-crisis levels until at least 2013.

OUTLOOK '12: Lack of visibility adds to concerns for EU chemicals
Chemicals output in Europe slowed markedly in the fourth quarter of 2011 – and the outlook for 2012 is subdued.

OUTLOOK ’12: Weak polyamide chain demand causes margin fears
Consumption throughout the European polyamide (or nylon) chain is expected to remain broadly flat with 2011 in 2012, buyers and sellers predict, but with trading conditions inversed.