John Richardson and Malini Hariharan'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 CHEMICALS companies are at great risk of getting Chinese demand very badly wrong in 2019 if they rely too heavily on flawed government data. This article from the South China Morning Post is another example of the long-standing practice of official data underestimating economic weakness when a downturn is taking place. The...
By John Richardson IF WE all had a dollar for every time we’d heard the phrase, “the growth of the Asian middle classes”, as just about the only...
ReadBy John Richardson That didn’t last long, did it? But anyone paying attention to the detail, or rather the lack of it from the Chinese perspecti...
ReadBy John Richardson I PREDICTED that there could well be warm smiles, handshakes and some kind of trade deal at this weekend’s meeting between Presid...
ReadBy John Richardson THE PICTURE on the left shows the Easter Day Parade in New York in 1900. As you can see, the parade is almost entirely made up of...
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.
The chemical industry is easily the best leading indicator for the global economy. And thanks to Kevin Swift and his team at the American Chemistry Council, we already have data showing developments up to October, as the chart shows. It confirms that consensus hopes for a “synchronised global recovery” at the beginning of the year...
There will be no shortage of important topics to discuss on Thursday, at my regular Chemistry and the Economy: 2019 Outlook webinar for the American C...
ReadThe Brexit debate had appeared to be a simple game of Snakes & Ladders till now. The Leave campaign landed on the ladders that led to its goal o...
ReadThe chemical industry is the best leading indicator for the global economy. And my visit to Singapore last week confirmed that the downturn underway...
Read“The UK is now facing a national crisis”, according to Margaret Thatcher’s former Defence Secretary, Michael Portillo, speaking to a...
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.
The UK had indicated in 2015 that the generation tariff under the FiT scheme would end in March 2019 but Thursday’s announcement means the export ta...
ReadAs the bill to cut production from the Netherlands’ giant Groningen field makes its way through the Dutch halls of power, the challenges of implemen...
ReadTime is running out for energy companies that have to work out if they will be included or exempted by upcoming financial rules that will make some of...
Read“Alternative energy”. Is that still a common phrase? In some quarters, it is. In a recent New York Times Trump-themed article, the phrase was in t...
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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