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 PP exports decline but the reason is hardly cause for cheer
24th November 2022In November 2021, the premium for overseas PP injection grade prices over prices in China reached a historic peak of $408/tonne. But in 1-18 November
Little prospect of China recovery in 2023 as zero-COVID, property downturn set to continue
23rd November 2022CFR China PP injection grade price spreads over CFR Japan naphtha costs averaged $546/tonne in 2003-2021 compared wit $251/tonne so far this year –
Why European chemicals can emerge from this crisis as a winner
20th November 2022IT REALLY ISN’T doom and gloom if you take the longer-term view. Instead, for the chemical companies with the right strategies, the opportunities to
China’s real estate rescue and zero-COVID tinkering will make little difference
16th November 2022China's real estate rescue only involves shoring-up lenders. The property bubble will not and cannot be reflated. Most of the zero-COVID rules remain
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.
China has locked down again. Yet World Cup TV shows people that the rest of the world is back to normal. And the real estate bubble (29% of GDP) continues to burst
27th November 2022The World Cup runs till December 18. That's a long time for Chinese viewers to ask themselves "Why am I still locked down, when the rest of the world
Global economy set to go ex-growth as world population hits 8bn
20th November 2022Underlying growth has been slowing since 2000 as more people joined the Perennials generation. Now, the bursting of the central bank stimulus bubbles
Apple’s China problems highlight smartphone market downturn
13th November 2022Apple symbolises the major changes underway in the economy. Its stock price is in decline as central bank stimulus disappears. And its profits are thr
‘The chemical industry is screaming “Recession”‘
6th November 2022The chemicals industry is a bellwether for the global economy and its message couldn't be any clearer: A severe global recession is imminent.
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.
Ethylene-derivative opportunities take centre stage at IPC
28th March 2022Huge opportunities are at hand for US producers of ethylene and its derivatives, especially in a world where security of supply remains tenuous in man
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
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