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Asian Chemical Connections

Changing expectations

By Malini Hariharan A turnaround in petrochemical fortunes in the US, as a result of falling gas prices, means that Dow Chemical is willing to wait to get the best value for its basic chemicals business. At an earnings call last week, the company’s ceo, Andrew Liveris, was clear that while Dow was committed to […]

Was The Chinaplas Optimism Justified?

Too good to be true?,.,,,,, Source of picture: http://www.arico.tw/en/index.php     By John Richardson I VISITED the Chinaplas plastics exhibition in Shanghai late last month and was greeted with a wall of unremitting optimism. Here are a few samples of the incredibly bullish comments from senior industry executives (a fuller version of what was said […]

What’s the Future of Ras Tanura?

By John Richardson One wonders what might be the future of the Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical project in Saudi now that it has been officially confirmed that it might be relocated from Ras Tanura to Al-Jubail because of escalating costs. An ICIS news report earlier this week said that the proposed complex could be […]

China Chlor-alkali A Real Industry Still Struggling

By John Richardson The mood on the proverbial factory floor can be very different to that in buoyant stock and other commodity markets as the impact of the economic crisis lingers, with the chor-alkali to vinyls industry in China just one an example of a real industry that is still struggling. “From the perspective of […]

Tide is turning

By Malini Hariharan After seeing very strong pricing for the last few months US propylene and polypropylene (PP) buyers have started talking of imminent correction. PP buyers expect a 7-10cent/lb ($154-200/tonne) drop in May prices, reports ICIS news. The prediction is based on improved propylene availability. Earlier this week the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) […]

Aramco-Dow project to be scaled down?

By Malini Hariharan If you are moving a project to a new location then why not take some time to re-examine its configuration? That appears to be the thinking at Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical for their proposed cracker and derivatives complex in Saudi Arabia. As reported on this blog recently, the mega petrochemical project […]

Reliance eyes 2014 start for Jamnagar cracker

By Malini Hariharan Reliance Industries is moving ahead with its Jamnagar cracker project and is looking at completing it in 2014, reports ICIS news. Preliminary activity on the project, which was put on hold after the 2008 economic crisis, has resumed. Discussions are on for technology selection and a firm start up date will be […]

Indonesia is back on the projects scene

By Malini Hariharan After a decade of inactivity since the Asian financial crisis, Indonesia is once again drawing attention. Two news reports indicate that companies are evaluating major investments in refining and petrochemicals. Taiwan’s Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) is said to be planning a $2.8bn petrochemical complex at Kalimantan in Indonesia. Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for […]

Good Chance Of Polyolefin Trough Delay

By John Richardson THE betting remains on trough conditions arriving for polyolefins at some point later this year with new supply expected to begin to severely lengthen markets towards the end of Q2. A temporary buying strike in China that dragged on for too long – following overbuilding of local resin inventories – has helped […]

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