ICIS Market Expert Blogs

Read our chemical and energy experts’ latest assessment of the market

Asian Chemical Connections

John Richardson’s Asian Chemicals Connections looks at Asian and global commodity chemicals and polymer pricing trends, supply and demand, macroeconomics, energy and environmental issues.

Global PVC markets tell a familiar of story of supply overhang, greater geopolitical risks
6th May 2024

THE STORY IS very similar across many of the petrochemicals, including PVC.

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China’s 96% Q1 surge in PP exports mirrors wider export push as trade tensions build
29th April 2024

China's Q1 2024 exports reach 619,367 tonnes versus 315,904 tonnes in the first quarter of last year.

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As China volume growth is no longer guaranteed, focus on growing value
24th April 2024

THE THREE EVENTS described are historic, meaning that the tremendous volume growth that the petrochemicals business has seen since 1992 could be large

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China may see either annual average PP net imports of 4.9m tonnes or net exports of 7.2m tonnes in 2024-2030
2nd April 2024

Relatively minor changes in PP demand growth and operating rate assumptions have big effects on forecasts for China's trade flows.

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Chemicals and the Economy

Guest blogger, Paul Hodges looks behind today's headlines and studies key influencers shaping the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months. He takes a closer look at oil prices, economic growth and the environment among other things, along with some light-hearted commentary along the way.

Currency wars kick off as Japanese yen tumbles close to 38-year low
5th May 2024

This is the 3rd time we have forewarned of an approaching crisis. Both previous times, ahead of the Great Financial Crisis and the Covid pandemic, we

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“Gradually, then Suddenly” – Hemingway’s insight starts to apply to the New Normal’s arrival
28th April 2024

As Hemingway noted, everyone is your friend when things are going well. But as countries and individuals are now starting to discover, the hangover wh

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US and EU prepare for trade war with China on Electric Vehicles as auto demand patterns change
21st April 2024

The world is now moving from today's "Continuous Instability" into "Growing Disruption". Real wars are already escalating in Europe and the Middle Ea

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US Treasury Secretaries change their minds on trade and inflation policies
14th April 2024

Policymakers in the West and the East now find themselves adrift in increasingly stormy seas, without a compass. Their 2 key policy tools on trade and

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