By Malini Hariharan The Wednesday post on this blog highlighted some of the unexpected turns that the Asian polyolefins market has been taking. There have been more developments over the last two days that are likely to influence markets in the short term. • ICIS news reports that Sabic will significantly cut its January and […]
Asian Chemical Connections
China And The Cold Weather: Heating The Great Outdoors
Stop complaining – it’s actually colder inside! Source of picture: www.gulfnews.com By John Richardson As northern China shivers from the coldest temperatures in decades, one Western ex-pat based in the country vented his spleen on cultural impediments which cause huge energy wastage – and prevent everyone from keeping a little bit warmer. “My colleagues […]
Polymers start the year on a robust note, but how long will it last?
By Malini Hariharan and John Richardson Expect the unexpected and you probably stand a good chance of making money in the polymer market. Defying expectations of a slowdown in demand ahead of the Chinese new year in February markets have started 2010 with a bang – material is short and prices are steadily moving up. […]
Korea’s Kumho faces heavy dose of restructuring
By Malini Hariharan The financially troubled Kumho Asiana group, with assets stretching from petrochemicals to airlines, has finally been able to work out a plan that should satisfy its creditors. The Korea Herald reports that the group plans to raise $1.13bn by selling assets as part of a restructuring programme. Kumho Tire and Kumho Industrial […]
Cash Will Remain King in 2010
Still too crowded… Source of picture:www.tripadvisor.com By John Richardson Dear Readers – Welcome Back. Having spent the last two weeks lying on Western Australian beaches, drinking beer and reading books on European history – while also building sand castles etc with my three-year-old son – I have given little thought to chemicals. But […]