Asia top stories: weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 27 May 2016.

Asia petrochemical players yearn for stable oil prices
Petrochemical industry players in Asia are hoping for a more stable oil market, after nearly two years of wild swings, to enable planning for future growth.

Asia SBR downtrend to continue as buyers retreat amid NR slump
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices in Asia are being weighed down by the continued market slump of rival product natural rubber (NR), industry sources said on Wednesday.

Singapore petchem exports to remain weak this year – analysts
Singapore’s petrochemical shipments abroad are likely to remain weak this year, tracking the overall decline in non-oil domestic exports (NODX), underscored by sluggish oil prices and demand, as well as the slowdown in trade to primary market China, analysts said on Wednesday.

Asia PS buyers keep out of market despite reduced offers
Spot polystyrene (PS) prices may stay soft, with buyers keeping out of the market despite reduced offers from sellers, industry sources said on Thursday.

East China chem plants must shut/cut output ahead of G20 summit
Petrochemical plants in major cities in east China must reduce production or shut down from late August, about two weeks before the 2016 G20 summit at Hangzhou City in Zhejiang province, industry sources said on Friday.