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Asian Chemical Connections

Why Getting It Wrong Really, Really Matters Today

By John Richardson It is never easy to admit you are wrong because of the loss of “face” (and for me “face” is just as much an issue in the West as it is in Asia. It just presents itself in different forms in different countries and regions). Everyone worries that their standing with their peers […]

Just “Black Swans” That We Can’t Predict? Nonsense

By John Richardson HERE is a list of just a few recent what were are told were “Black Swan” events: The Lehman Bros-triggered global financial crisis. China’s 2008-2013 economic stimulus package. Last year’s collapse in oil prices. China’s economic and environmental about turn. We are also told because these were  Black Swans – freak events […]

Petrochemicals And The End Of The Commodities Supercyle

By John Richardson YESTERDAY I suggested that a “permanent study group” should be established by the US petrochemicals industry, and very probably industries in other regions, that would focus solely on all the evolving implications of the New Normal. So what should be this study group’s first topic for consideration? How about the implications of […]

US Petchems: Victim Of A Black Swan? What Black Swan?

  By John Richardson JIM Gallogly, the former CEO of LyondellBasell, has advised US petrochemicals companies to “think very, very hard” about new investments. “Some of you simply are going to be too late. And you need to recognise where you are at,” he told delegates that this week’s 40th American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers […]

US Fed Cannot Solve Deflationary Crisis It Has Created

  By John Richardson ALL eyes will be on the precise detail of the statement the US Fed issues after its latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which takes place today and tomorrow (March 17-18). Many analysts think that the ideal outcome for emerging market governments and companies, and those who have gone “long” […]

China’s Polyolefins Recovery On Shaky Ground

By John Richardson CHINA’S polyolefins markets were in a muddle last week as a result of resilient offer prices for imported material versus a fall in pricing for domestic cargoes. Domestic polyethylene (PE) prices were largely softer, but local distributors were unwilling to significantly cut their offer prices for imported because of tight supply across […]

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