Asia top stories - weekly summary

Focus Asia, Middle East demand for LAB, LAS to grow 3-5% in 2013
Demand for linear alkyl benzene (LAB) and its derivative LAB sulphonate (LAS) in Asia and the Middle East will likely grow by 3-5% in 2013, with buying activities expected to pick up  from the current slump, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Focus China SBR rebounds on rising BD; ample supply to temper gains
Domestic prices of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) in China rebounded this week, backed by rising cost of feedstock butadiene (BD), but ample supply may temper further gains in the coming weeks, market sources said on Thursday.

Focus Asia BR bottoms out as BD rebounds; strong gains unlikely
Butadiene rubber (BR) prices in Asia firmed up to an average of $2,375/tonne (€1,805/tonne) this week, after shedding about 15% since October, following a rebound in values of feedstock butadiene (BD), market sources said on Friday.

Saudi Polymers complex to remain shut in Dec; restart in Jan ‘13
Saudi Polymers’s Al Jubail complex will remain shut for the rest of December and is expected to resume production sometime in January next year, the firm’s parent, The National Petrochemical Co (Petrochem), said late on Sunday.

By: Staff Reporter
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