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 HAVE gone beyond the point of no return because of a major societal shift. Millennials, and a good number of a lot older people such as myself, have come to believe that “less is more”, that the environmental cost of throwaway consumption is intolerable. Take this comment from this Wall Street...
The views below are my own, and, as always, do not express the opinion of ICIS By John Richardson REGARDLESS of your politics you should worry about D...
ReadThe following opinions are my personal views, and, as always, do not express the views of ICIS By John Richardson PRESIDENT TRUMP could have blinked a...
ReadBy John Richardson EVEN IF our base case growth rate* for PE in China in 2019 proves to be correct the H1 data still suggest excess inventories of 755...
ReadBy John Richardson IT IS very likely that China will impose 25% additional imports duties on LDPE in response to the latest US escalation of the trade...
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.
Oil markets remain poised between fear of recession and fear of a US attack on Iran. But gradually it seems that fears about a war are reducing, whils...
ReadGlobal smartphone sales have now been falling for 8 consecutive quarters, since Q3 2017. They are now down 9% from their peak, as the chart shows, bas...
ReadNew UK premier, Boris Johnson, said last week that the UK must leave the EU by 31 October, “do or die, come what may”. This means UK, EU27 and EEA...
ReadAfter the excitement of Wimbledon tennis and a cricket World Cup final, Londoners were back to their favourite conversation topic last week – ho...
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.
This article was written by Harriet Roberts. It discusses the findings of the ICIS European Energy Mid-Year Outlook 2019 European energy prices weak o...
ReadSpot LNG prices remained low around the world in mid-June, prompting continued speculation over whether US producers might cut back output later this ...
ReadGlobal spot LNG prices held steady over the four weeks from mid-April to mid-May, remaining at a low level compared to last year, with no major change...
ReadIn just eight months, the International Marine Organisation (IMO) 2020 regulation will cut the maximum sulphur content in marine fuels worldwide, in a...
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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