Advanced search

Asia top stories - weekly summary

07 January 2013 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 4 January 2013.

(Please click on the link to read the full text)

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia TiO2 may soften further on weak regional demand
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) prices in Asia are likely to soften in the first three to six months of 2013 because of weak regional demand, market players said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia MA to be stable-to-firm on rising feedstocks
Asia’s maleic anhydride (MA) prices are expected to fluctuate in line with feedstock benzene costs, but the prevailing snug supply is likely to keep prices stable-to-firm in the first half of 2013, market participants said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asian ECH producers expect slight recovery in prices
Asia-based epichlorohydrin (ECH) producers are mostly optimistic for the year ahead because of expectations of a recovery in ECH spot prices, which were widely said to have bottomed out following a steady decline since mid-May 2012.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia methanol seen rising as non-traditional use grows
Asia’s methanol prices may increase in 2013, underpinned by an expected strong demand growth from non-traditional applications in the key China market, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asian base oil demand to grow; volatility to continue
Base oils demand is expected to grow modestly in 2013 throughout Asia Pacific though price volatility will continue to be seen on the back of buoyant feedstock gasoil and fuel oil prices, market sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asian PET producers brace for another tough year ahead
Asia’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle chip producers are set for a challenging year ahead after suffering from squeezed margins and losses in the second half of 2012 and because of the overcapacity in the region, market sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia's acetic acid prices hinge on curbing of oversupply
Asia’s acetic spot prices may be bolstered in early 2013 by plant operating rate cuts whereas further price increase drivers are expected to arise mainly from unplanned plant outages as the market is fundamentally oversupplied, according to industry sources.

OUTLOOK ’13: Asia’s MEG to rise on fundamentals, speculations
Asia’s monoethylene glycol (MEG) prices are likely to rise in 2013 because of speculative trading due to expectation of tighter supplies and recovery of demand from downstream textile sector in China, industry sources said.

OUTLOOK ’13: Middle East PE, PP supplies to tighten in Q1 2013
The supply of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) will tighten as the market enters 2013 because of a slew of ongoing and impending shutdowns at facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, market players said.

OUTLOOK ’13: High SM costs to affect PS demand in Mideast
The 2013 price outlook for polystyrene (PS) in the Middle East is bearish because feedstock styrene monomer (SM) costs are expected to remain high and affect the downstream demand, said producers.


By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214



AddThis Social Bookmark Button

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly

 
 
© 2013 Reed Business Information Limited. All Rights Reserved. Sign up| Sitemap| Terms and Conditions| Disclaimer| Privacy Policy| About us| Advertise