New models are needed to understand demand and trade flows in light of increased trade tensions
Asian Chemical Connections
The China story is consistent even in higher-value polycarbonate
BECAUSE OF events in China. global polycarbonate operating rates can only return to normal if 2024-2030 capacity declines by a total of 1m tonnes/year.
Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire cat and the chemicals industry
Chemicals companies need to decide where they are heading now that the Supercycle is over
Global styrene markets reflect permanent changes in the chemicals landscape
DON’T just back and wait for markets to correct themselves
Stop wasting time waiting for the end of the downcycle
THE TEN REASONS why this isn’t a standard chemical industry downcycle
The US is winning in China in today’s HDPE world but what about tomorrow?
THE US is winning in the key China market because of feedstock advantages in a lower-price environment. But future trade flows will likely be shaped by geopolitics, demographics, debts and sustainability
Don’t put sustainability in a broom cupboard in the basement
How the chemicals world could re-align as sustainability becomes a new route to competitive advantage
Petrochemicals three years from now: A shrinking global market?
MORE THAN 70% of global polyethylene demand is at risk from ageing populations, climate change and geopolitics.
China’s petrochemicals capacity growth: A new normal of much greater uncertainty
UNDERSTANDING what was going to happen next with petrochemicals capacity additions in China used to be easy. Now we are in a world of muddle and ambiguity.
China PP exports could reach 2.6m tonnes in 2024 as markets become ever-more complex
As recently as 2020, China’s PP exports for the whole year were just 424,746 tonnes. Between 2021 and 2023 they ranged between 1.3m to 1.4m tonnes. If the January-May 2024 export momentum were to continue for the rest of this year, full-year 2024 exports would reach 2.6m tonnes, double last year’s level.
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