Asia top stories – weekly summary

OUTLOOK '13: China PE, PP trades may regain pace in end Jan
China’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) import demand is likely to be slow in the first half of January, but trades may regain pace in end January on restocking activities, industry sources said on Monday.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asian benzene to stay stable-to-firm on tight supply
Asia’s benzene spot prices are poised to remain stable-to-firm next quarter on the back of persistently tight supply, higher bids from traders seeking cargoes on short positions and expectations of stronger demand from downstream sectors.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia polyols, isocyanates less bullish on weak demand
Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) and methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) outlook in Asia for the first quarter of 2013 is less bullish because of uncertain macroeconomic conditions and concerns of oversupply and weak demand.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia ADA margins to rebound in ‘13 on firm feedstock
Asia’s adipic acid (ADA) margins are expected to rebound in 2013 as regional producers plan to hike their selling ideas or reduce supply on the back of persistently firm feedstock benzene prices, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ‘13: Asia oxo-alcohols to track propylene prices in 2013
Asia oxo-alcohols prices are likely to track closer to feedstock propylene values in 2013 following new capacities as more plants come on stream in China, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia BD prices seen strong in Q1 on renewed demand
Asia butadiene (BD) prices will likely rise further in January and remain strong in the first quarter of 2013 as buying interest is expected to pick up ahead of the Lunar New Year and remain firm, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia SBR to remain flat in Q1 on subdued demand
Asia styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices are likely to remain flat in the first quarter of 2013 as demand is expected to be subdued because of the weak macro-economic outlook, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: South Asia’s PVC to stay upbeat on strong demand
Prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the south Asian markets of India and Pakistan are likely to remain upbeat in 2013, sustained by strong demand for the product, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ‘13: Mideast PE pipe grade likely to be steady in Q1
Prices of pipe grade polyethylene (PE) in the Middle East are set to be stable in the first quarter of next year on the back of supply constraints, despite subdued demand, industry sources said.

Saudi Arabia's SABIC signs new JV deal to build new butanol plant
SABIC said late on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co (Saudi Kayan) and Sadara Chemical Co (Sadara) to build a new butanol plant in Saudi Arabia.

By: Staff Reporter
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