By John Richardson NOW we must be very careful here. Time and time again, Chinese polyolefins growth has defied the doom mongers. Just look at 2015 as a prime example, when, despite a mild economic downturn, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) consumption growth surprised on the upside, largely because of a surge in internet sales. […]
Asian Chemical Connections
China could easily become styrene net exporter as trade war drives self-sufficiency
By John Richardson CHINA MIGHT remain a major net importer of styrene by 2025, making it still the biggest importer of any country or region in the world. Alternatively, as you can see from the chart on the right, it could swing into a small net export position – or may even be exporting as […]
China Growth Slows On Collapse In Shadow Bank Financing
By John Richardson YOU should print-off the above chart and stick it on your chemicals company boardroom wall. From fellow blogger Paul Hodges, it shows the collapse in credit issued via China’s shadow banking system. It is the shadow banking system that has driven China’s debt-t0-GDP ratio to as high as 650% – and could […]
China’s Gasoline Export Surge Was Entirely Predictable
By John Richardson WHEN it first became apparent earlier this year that China was aggressively expanding diesel exports, we were told not to worry as this was said to merely reflect the replacement of China’s old economy with its new economy. “It is simply a case of industrial production and investment slowing down, which has […]
China’s “Teapot” Refineries: Example Of The Bigger Picture
By John Richardson IT is all about jobs, jobs and more jobs in politics. Promising to create and maintain employment is how politicians win office. And delivering on these two pledges keeps them in power. But let’s not by cynical about this. You can make a very strong argument that whilst keeping a particular factory […]