Asia top stories – weekly summary

Focus Asia BD uptrend to continue on strong buying interest
Asia’s butadiene (BD) prices look set to rise further, with current offers for February cargoes at above $1,800/tonne (€1,350/tonne), on expectations that demand in the key China market will pick up after the Lunar New Year holiday, industry sources said on Tuesday.

Focus Tight supply to drive near-term gains for Asia PVC, VCM prices
Spot prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and feedstock vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in Asia are poised to continue rising in the near term on tight regional supply following the shutdown of major facilities in Malaysia, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Focus Asia SM prices retreat from recent high, rebound possible
Asia styrene monomer (SM) prices retreated this week after reaching a record high of $1,800/tonne (€1,350/tonne) on 4 January, but a rebound is possible on the back of tight supply caused by plant shutdowns, traders said on Wednesday.

Focus Asia’s polysilicon to rise further on Lunar New Year stockpiling
Asia’s spot polysilicon prices are expected to rise further, triggered by an increase in stockpiling activity in China ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in February, market sources said on Thursday.

Focus Cost-push factors, tight supply to buoy up Asia butyl glycol
Spot butyl glycol prices in China and southeast Asia will be firmly supported by rising costs of raw material n-butanol, as well as by limited availability of deep-sea material in the first quarter, market sources said on Thursday.

Focus Asia BDO may extend gains on restocking ahead of Lunar New Year
Asia's butanediol (BDO) prices may increase further in the coming weeks on the back of limited supply, rising feedstock cost and restocking activities by end-users ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday in the key China market, industry sources said on Friday.

Focus Mideast base oils to rise on firm upstream, low availability
The Middle East prices of Iranian Group I base oils will rise further in the first quarter of 2013 in tandem with firmer feedstock costs and lower availability amid strengthening demand, buyers and sellers said on Friday.

By: Staff Reporter
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