John Richardson’s Asian Chemicals Connections looks at Asian and global commodity chemicals and polymer pricing trends, supply and demand, macroeconomics, energy and environmental issues.
By John Richardson WE ALL know, or at least we all should know, just how important is the Chinese economy to the global economy. Assume significantly weaker-than-consensus Chinese demand growth in everything from base chemicals to autos, smartphones and TVs, and there is no statistical basis for believing that strong growth in other regions can...
By John Richardson THE WORLD is becoming a much more complex and fragmented place as the consensus about the benefits of open markets and the largely ...
ReadBy John Richardson SURE, there are tremendous opportunities for petrochemicals and polymers companies in booming Southeast (SEA) Asia and South Asia a...
ReadBy John Richardson THE IRONY IS that if the US trade deficit with China shrinks because of the trade war, its deficits with other developing countries...
ReadBy John Richardson ALL is not suddenly right with China’s polypropylene (PP) demand despite our revised data for January-April 2019 indicating growt...
ReadGuest blogger, Paul Hodges looks behind today's headlines and studies key influencers shaping the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months. He takes a closer look at oil prices, economic growth and the environment among other things, along with some light-hearted commentary along the way.
Trade wars, Dieselgate and recession risk are having a major impact on the European auto industry, as I describe in my new video interview with ICIS Chemical Business deputy editor, Will Beacham. One key pressure point is created by the downturn in China’s auto industry. As the chart shows, it has been a fabulous growth...
Last week, 95 year-old Harry Read repeated the jump that he and his fellow parachutists had made as the advance party for the D-Day landings. He told ...
ReadThere will be no shortage of important topics to discuss on Thursday, at my regular Chemistry and the Economy: 2019 Mid-Year Update webinar for the A...
ReadOne of the best things I learned at school was the simple mnemonic: “To ASSUME can make an ASS of U and ME” Unfortunately, most of those i...
ReadOil markets are once again uneasily balanced between two completely different outcomes – and one again involves Iran. Back in the summer of 2008...
ReadICIS energy editors post their expert opinions on the major topics facing participants in the European gas, electricity, LNG and oil markets. This blog will look behind the headlines and critically analyse the impact of market developments on the industry, with some more light-hearted posts thrown in for good humour.
In just eight months, the International Marine Organisation (IMO) 2020 regulation will cut the maximum sulphur content in marine fuels worldwide, in a...
ReadThis article was written by Vija Pakalkaite (EU Carbon and Power Analyst) and Matthew Jones (Senior Market Analyst) and it discusses the trend of mult...
ReadThe ICIS Dutch TTF gas benchmark closed above the East Asian Index (EAX) spot LNG price on 20 March for the first time in three years, inverting the u...
ReadAfter losing nearly one fifth of its value within the last week, the Turkish lira recovered some losses, stabilising at TL6.5 to the US dollar in Tues...
ReadICIS editors and consultants give their views on the big questions raised by market events and developments. By analysing market conditions, supply and demand, and other factors influencing future profitability, they set today’s markets into context and provide an outlook for 2016 and beyond.
Taking look at the latest EIA data (published 4/28/2017) with a little ICIS analytics thrown in: The amount of ethane recovered in February was up 20%...
ReadOne of the most disheartening parts of being in the price forecasting business, particularly in the energy price forecasting business, is that, despit...
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