ICIS Market Expert Blogs
Asian Chemical Connections
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.
China goes global in PP perhaps quicker than had been expected, badly disrupting the global industry
8th August 2022CHINA’S polypropylene (PP) industry is in the short- to medium- term is being pushed into going global perhaps quicker than it had intended. This is
European polyolefins could be dragged down by China
3rd August 2022Will China, the world’s most important HDPE demand centre, and an increasingly important supply centre, drag Europe down to its levels? Or will the
China’s PP demand growth: A bubble that may have burst beyond repair
31st July 2022WAS IT JUST an almightily big bubble that cannot now be re-inflated, even if Beijing follows through on its plans to inject $148bn in loans into the c
China petrochemicals spreads data: until or unless it recovers, growth will remain weak
27th July 2022IF THERE IS no return to the historic patterns of spreads between China's petrochemicals prices and feedstock costs, there will be no economic recover
Chemicals and the Economy
Guest 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.
IMF warns the risks “for the economy are overwhelmingly tilted to the downside”
31st July 2022Millions of people around the world are already having to cutback on buying food for their families due to today's high prices. By wintertime, the ris
The blog’s 15th birthday – and the chemical industry remains the best leading indicator for the global economy
24th July 2022The US is moving into recession as the Atlanta Fed chart confirms. Chemicals have been warning of this for some time. But policymakers and commentator
China’s housing bubble starts to deflate
17th July 2022But now, the bubble is starting to deflate, as the zero-Covid policy cripples the economy. GDP grew just 0.4% in Q2. Beijing is issuing record amount
“Things get to a point where you have to do the right thing”, Lord McDonald, former head of the UK Foreign Office
10th July 2022The election's timing could hardly be worse, with Johnson now just a caretaker premier. Russia is threatening food and energy security by cutting fert
Energy Connections
ICIS 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.
Spot LNG stuck in bullish mood
21st July 2021Spot LNG prices remain firmly in bullish mood, with little prospect of an immediate easing of tight market conditions. Low storage levels in Europe, g
Spot LNG strong as China equals Japan
18th June 2021Spot LNG strong as China equals Japan Spot LNG prices remain bullish as China’s demand growth continues and Australia enters a period of heavy maint
Spot LNG bullish on storage, summer peak
21st May 2021Spot LNG bullish on storage, summer peak Spot LNG prices have broken back into double figures, over $10/MMBtu, as Europe continues to pull in gas to r
Asia, Europe LNG converges as US turns cold
16th February 2021Spot gas markets in Europe and Asia have re-aligned after splitting apart during last month’s cold weather and price spikes in east Asia. But it may
Chemical Connections
The ICIS Chemical connections blog delves into the chemicals and commodities behind some of the world’s biggest companies. Daniel tracks and provides analysis on 167 companies in the oil and gas, commodities, chemicals, speciality chemicals, plastics, packaging and fertilizers markets and Jeremy analyses macro and micro trends affecting the North American chemicals industry, from olefins, aromatics and solvents to general-purpose and engineered plastics.
Crude oil’s meteoric rise to ripple through supply chains
3rd March 2022Crude oil prices are rising at a rate at which passing on the increases downstream is proving untenable in some markets. Its volatility will spur furt
Sustainability challenges posed by recycled plastic inflation’s long game
23rd February 2022The packaging supply chain needs to come to grips with inflation, but in a context few are considering at the moment – the sustainability movement.
Logistics will signal pathway to market normalisation
12th January 2022Prices precipitously falling from their highs after months of feverous run-up is typical commodity market behaviour, but the conditions in which the c
Volatile resin markets require rethinking 2022 contracts
5th November 2021Negotiations on annual contracts are under way for many in the plastics supply chain, and the market conditions looming over the bargain table have ra
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