THE direction of Asian polyethylene markets, once again, serves as a good guide for the overall global petrochemicals industry. Producers in every region and in every sector of our industry should, therefore, take note of what follows. They must prepare for what we worry will be a much more challenging 2015. By John Richardson […]
Asian Chemical Connections
China Credit Squeeze Further Weakens “Real Demand”
By John Richardson DESPITE the 26% increase in China’s polyethylene (PE) imports in Q1 of this year over the same period in 2013, “real demand” continues to weaken – i.e. the resin bought by end-users to actually make things. The main reason is that China’s determined credit crackdown is having a bigger and bigger effect on […]
China Credit, Commodities Bubble
By John Richardson China announced last week that its state-owned banks had lent Rmb1.07 trillion ($172m) in January, which was more than double the amount in December. Financial markets have taken as evidence that the economic recovery has gained momentum. But when you combine January-February lending for 2012 in order to get rid of the […]
Asian Polyolefins – A Dead Cat Bounce
Source of picture: anirudhsethireport.com By John Richardson WE reported earlier this week that cautious confidence is being expressed that the worst might be over in polyolefin markets with prices having reached the bottom. “The market seems to be improving and my view there is no much room for further price corrections from a […]
China Property Sector Dangers Grow
Source of picture: www.chinadigitaltimes.net By John Richardson HOPES for strong China chemicals and polymer demand growth in H2 partly rest on government stimulus money for infrastructure projects compensating for a weakening real-estate sector. Whether its direct consumption of chemicals and polymers, such as the obvious polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – or indirect benefits […]
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