Mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil

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Discover the factors influencing mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil markets

Gain a transparent view of the opaque mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil markets in Europe. With the growth of chemical recycling in Europe, competition for mixed plastic waste feedstock is intensifying. Pyrolysis-based plants targeting mixed plastic waste (with a focus on polyolefins) as feedstock account for ~60% (2023) of all operating chemical recycling capacity in Europe.

Remain at the forefront of this rapidly evolving market, with comprehensive pricing and market coverage of key recycling and burn-for-energy feedstocks and pyrolysis oil prices. Waste bale prices include mixed polyolefins, refuse derived fuel (RDF) bales and unsorted materials recovery facility (MRF) waste.

Pyrolysis oil pricing includes naphtha substitute, non-upgraded and tyre derived grades.
Integrate your expertise with ICIS’ comprehensive portfolio, which includes pricing benchmarks for mechanical and chemical recycling enabling direct price comparisons for feedstocks and outputs of the two sectors for the first time. ICIS also offers the Recycling Supply Tracker – Mechanical and Recycling Supply Tracker – Chemical, covering recycling projects globally and allowing you to track capacities, output volumes, feedstock sources and site statuses within these two major routes to circularity.

ICIS has been covering recycled polymer and plastic waste markets since 2006 and holds multiple price benchmarks across the major recycled polymers of R-PET, R-PE and R-PP, as well as across virgin chemical markets. Our experience gives us the insight to contextualise and evaluate the latest market developments and industry trends in a trustworthy, timely and impartial manner.

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Mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil news

SE Asia reliance on fossil fuel to stay high at 70% by 2030

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Fossil fuels will still account for a huge portion of southeast Asia's energy mix, projected at 70% by the end of the decade, but carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects should help the region achieve its emissions goal. SE Asia not hitting renewable energy targets CCS deemed most cost-effective means to hit emission targets Subsidies key to promote CCS investments Currently, the region relies on coal, oil and gas for about 80% of its energy requirement amid strong economic growth, with the share of renewable energy low at less than a fifth of the total. Southeast Asia has only achieved 16% of renewable energy in its current energy mix, well below the 22% target by 2035, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) deputy executive director Beni Suryadi at the recently concluded Asian Downstream Summit in Singapore. The Asian Downstream Summit on 23-24 October was held during the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) conference, which ends Friday. Economic development and geopolitical uncertainties have played roles in the region’s inability to achieve the targeted energy mix, he said. Southeast Asia is expected to become the world’s fourth largest regional economy in 2030, he said. Against this backdrop, CCS is expected help the region ensure energy security while helping it to become carbon neutral, Suryadi said. CCS will be the “most cost-efficient” support for energy security in the region, but the energy transition will need significant financial and technical support, said Pattabhi Raman Narayanan, advisor at engineering consultancy Becht Canada. Raman also stressed the importance of international cooperation in this undertaking. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR CCS PROJECTS The main challenges facing countries in southeast Asia in implementing CCS include cost of capture, cost of shipping and bankability. To encourage more investment in carbon capture technology, governments may be required to step in and offer subsidies, as is currently the case in Europe, said Neeraj Kumar, director of commercial chemicals and business development at Vopak Terminals Singapore, a unit of Dutch logistics firm Vopak. Infrastructure also needs to be built up, he added. “To begin any project, to have a long-term infrastructure … we do need a long-term commitment. We are talking about 15, 20 years of commitment to make that value chain sustainable, to pay for it,” Kumar said. “The government needs to step in and coordinate the first three people to make that jump (and invest in CCS).” Singapore has taken the first step. The city-state announced in March this year that it is partnering a consortium formed by global energy majors ExxonMobil and Shell to study the feasibility of a cross-border CCS project and start development by 2030. Indonesia’s state-owned energy company Pertamina is also working with ExxonMobil to advance an evaluation on a CCS hub as of May 2024, while its government has agreed with Singapore to collaborate on cross-border CCS. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas in June 2024 agreed to collaborate with Norway-based risk management firm DNV to develop CCS value chains across southeast Asia. Separately, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said on 22 October that southeast Asia needs to increase its clean energy investments to $190 billion by 2035 to achieve its climate goals. Focus article by Jonathan Yee

25-Oct-2024

PRE calls for regulatory intervention to support Europe recycling industry

LONDON (ICIS)–Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) has called on the EU to restrict imports of material failing to meet the EU’s environmental requirements to bulwark the industry against recessionary pressures, the industry association said in a press release on Thursday. The press release cited recommendations in a report by Mario Draghi on EU Competitiveness, and stated that “Creating a level playing field will be key to making the green transition sustainable and safeguarding the competitiveness of the EU’s industry in the long run.” The press release also called measures and targets introduced in core EU legislation “unrealistic,” given what it perceives as stalling growth in the sector, “as capacities would need to at least double by 2030.” The press release calls on the recently elected EU institutions to enact immediate measures to “solve the key issues threatening the existing plastics sorting and recycling infrastructure, as well as future investments. Without these measures, the future of European plastic recycling appears uncertain.” PRE listed a number of challenges facing the sector, including limited investment in domestic recycling, an increase in imports of recyclates from outside the EU, and increasing lack of demand for recyclates produced in Europe. “These issues are feeding the existing recession on the market – driving many recycling companies out of business in 2023, with further closures happening or planned in the course of 2024. This downturn will continue unless the situation is addressed urgently,” the press release stated. PRE cited its PRE Plastic Recycling Industry Figures in Europe, 2022 study (the latest year for which data is available) as evidence of underinvestment, highlighting a drop in growth of installed recycling capacity in Europe to 10.6% year-on-year in 2022, down from 17.7% in 2021. PRE estimated year-on-year recycling capacity growth (in millions of tonnes/year) Percentage increase year-on-year 2018 0.6 9.99999 2019 1.9 28.8 2020 1.1 12.94 2021 1.7 17.7 2022 1.2 10.61 Average since 2017 1.3 16.009998 *source: extrapolated from PRE Plastic Recycling Industry Figures in Europe, 2022 European recycling capacity in 2022 stood at 12.5 million tonnes/year, according to PRE estimates. If the 10% growth rate estimated by PRE in 2022 were to continue in the subsequent years to 2030 this would result in a capacity increase to just under 27 million tonnes/year and a growth from 2022 of just over 114%. Nevertheless, if market capacity were to grow at a consistent capacity year-on-year increase to 2022 of 1.2 million tonnes/year, this would result in around 22.1 million tonnes/year of capacity by 2030, an increase from 2022 of just under 77%. The long-term average yearly growth since 2017, according to data from PRE’s study is 1.3 million tonnes/year, this would result in approximately 22.9 million tonnes/year of capacity by 2030 at a consistent rate, an 83% rise in capacity from 2022. Headline figures do not tell the whole picture for recycling capacity because of the wide variation in technical properties of different grades of recycling material, which limit usage of multiple grades in key end-use applications such as packaging. 2022 saw record high prices for recycled polyolefins, and multiyear high prices for R-PET because of supply shortages across the chains and rising demand because of regulatory and consumer pressure. Prices and demand fell back was in 2023 due to the energy cost crisis, followed by the cost-of-living crisis. PRE also named the influx of imports as the primary issue facing the market that needs addressing by regulators. "Many recyclers are struggling to survive in a market flooded with uncontrolled imports that fall short of EU requirements,” Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe’s President, was quoted as saying in the press release,. As evidence of the damaging role of imports, PRE cited a study it published in February 2024. That study was solely focussed on recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET). High freight costs and unfavorable exchange rates have limited the arrival of imports from Asia in 2024 across recycling markets. But falling freight rates in recent weeks have reopened the arbitrage window for R-PET flakes. Imports of recycled polyolefins in to Europe have historically been considerably less common than imports of R-PET and have been particularly limited in 2024, with macroeconomics largely unfavorable. PRE estimates that recycled polyolefins and R-PET account for around 80% of market capacity for recycled polymers. Demand in 2024 across these recycled polymers has become increasingly fragmented by grade, end-use, location, and individual player circumstances. Buying interest across the majority of non-packaging applications remains weak, with construction offtake particularly limited. Display packaging demand for recycled polyolefins has remained more robust due to the onboarding of projects from the sector during Q4. This has been driven by a variety of factors, including:- The restarting of packaging projects previously delayed in 2023 The approach of 2025 fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) recycling targets and FMCG players looking to broaden the range of materials they use to help meet those targets Ambitious recycled content mandates forming part of the proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which have led some buyers to seek to establish relationships with new suppliers to pre-position themselves R-PET colourless flake and food-grade pellet demand, meanwhile (which typically serve packaging applications), varies from seller to seller with some seeing good demand and order volumes, while others choose to build stock ahead of an anticipated pick up in demand in 2025. Some sellers are less happy with the current mood however, and there are concerns that high stocks and the bearish PET outlook could lead to tougher price talks in November and December. Buyers in the sheet sector, in particular, can afford to be more selective with their R-PET flake purchases as they are not subject to the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) target that requires 25% R-PET in PET beverage bottles from 1 January 2025. Focus article by Mark Victory Additional reporting by Matt Tudball

24-Oct-2024

INSIGHT: Some US chems have started layoffs, defaulting

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Higher interest rates and weaker demand have led to shutdowns, layoffs and a couple of distressed debt exchanges that were considered defaults by ratings agencies. Nylon producer Ascend Performance Materials is closing a plant and laying off workers at another site. Cornerstone and SI Group held distressed debt exchanges. Mid-2025 recovery could be delayed if US mortgage rates remain elevated due to growing government debt. ASCEND SUMS UP CHALLENGES FOR CHEMSAscend's nylon 6,6 business is contending with a troubling mix of rising supplies in polyamides and weak demand from its key end markets of consumer goods, automobiles and housing. ICIS keeps track of global capacity for nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. By 2027, capacity should be nearly 70% larger than levels in 2022. Nearly all of the new capacity is being built in northeast Asia, which includes China. Another company, US-based paints and coatings producer PPG, is planning possible shutdowns and layoffs, but these will be primarily in Europe and certain other global businesses. DISTRESSED DEBT EXCHANGES FROM SI GROUP, CORNERSTONESI Group is expected to complete what a ratings agency considers to be another distressed debt exchange, which would lead to the company's second restricted default this year. SI declined to comment when the ratings note was issued in September. SI Group is facing the same difficult business conditions as Ascend, according to Fitch Ratings. Sales fell amid new capacity in China. SI Group makes specialty chemicals used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) as well as in lubricants, fuels, surfactants and polymers. Cornerstone, the sole melamine producer in the US, is trying to sell some of its assets to avoid a second default. The company also makes acrylonitrile (ACN). Demand fell for both products fell, leading to large operating losses in 2023. COMPANIES HOLD OUT FOR SECOND HALF RECOVERYThe chemical industry is hopeful that falling inflation and interest rates will lead to a recovery in demand in 2025. "It is only a question of when, not if," said Heidi Petz, CEO of Sherwin-Williams, a US-based paints and coatings producer. Polyurethane producers expect a recovery could start in mid-2025, coinciding with the start of the US construction season and the cumulative effects of what it expects to be subsequent declines in interest rates. Lower mortgage rates would make housing more affordable, which would increase sales of new and existing homes. That would increase demand for furniture and appliances as well as for chemicals used to make paints, coatings, sealants and insulation. Lower interest rates would also make automobiles more affordable. The industry is suffering from a temporary lull, with PPG noting that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) started taking unscheduled and prolonged downtime in Q3. The decline in interest rates will depend, in part, on US inflation remaining on track to reach the central bank's target of 2%. The danger is that inflation remains stubborn or, if it does fall, the lower benchmark interest rate does not fully translate into declines in longer term rates like US home loans. US home loans typically rise and fall with yields on 10-year Treasury notes, and an economist has warned that yields could remain elevated because of the growing US debt. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also warned about the consequences of growing government debt. If the link between longer term rates and government debt holds true, then that could limit or delay the recovery in demand expected by many chemical companies that sell materials used in durable goods. Insight by Al Greenwood

24-Oct-2024

Brazil's GDP to grow 3% in 2024, Mexico's to slow down to 1.5% – IMF

LIMA (ICIS)–Brazil’s GDP is expected to grow by 3% in 2024, up sharply from prior forecasts of 2.1% growth published in July, the IMF said this week. Mexico’s growth, however, is expected to slow down to 1.5%, down sharply from the previous 2.2% forecast. For the Latin America and the Caribbean region as a whole, growth is projected at 2.1% in 2024, slightly up from the 1.9% forecast published in July, said the IMF. “[Brazil’s GDP growth forecast] is an upward revision … owing to stronger private consumption and investment in the first half of the year from a tight labor market, government transfers and smaller-than-anticipated disruptions from floods,” said the IMF. “However, with the still-restrictive monetary policy and the expected cooling of the labor market, growth is expected to moderate in 2025.” The more conservative forecast for the Mexican economy reflects weakening domestic demand on the back of monetary policy tightening, said the IMF, who projected the country’s growth would continue slowing down in 2025. The Fund expects Argentina's GDP to fall by 3.5% this year, a forecast considerably more optimistic than most economists. For detailed country-by-country figures see bottom table. INFLATION BATTLE WON – MOSTLYThe IMF celebrated how for most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean inflation rates have dropped significantly from their peaks and continue to be on a downward trend. The Washington-based body highlighted, however, how in some countries inflation is ticking up on the back of, among other factors, weather events, which can suddenly push prices for agricultural products. “Large countries in the region have experienced upward revisions since the April 2024 World Economic Outlook that reflect a mix of 1) robust wage growth preventing faster disinflation in the services sector (Brazil, Mexico); 2) weather events (Colombia); and 3) hikes in regulated electricity tariffs (Chile),” said the IMF. “[For example] Coffee prices rallied, rising by 33.8%, following weather-related supply concerns in key producers Brazil and Vietnam.” Despite adverse weather events, Brazil’s national supply corporation Conab said earlier in October that the 2024-2025 fertilizers-intensive agricultural season is set to reach a record high. Conab is forecasting grain production to reach 322.47 million tonnes in the 2024-2025 harvest, up 8.3% compared with the previous harvest. IMF forecasts (in % change) GDP growth 2023 GDP growth forecast 2024 GDP 2025 growth forecast Inflation 2023 Inflation forecast 2024 Inflation forecast 2025 Brazil 2.9 3.0 2.2 4.6 4.3 3.6 Mexico 3.2 1.5 1.3 5.5 4.7 3.8 Argentina -1.6 -3.5 5.0 133.5 229.8 62.7 Colombia 0.6 1.6 2.5 11.7 6.7 4.5 Chile 0.2 2.5 2.4 7.6 3.9 4.2 Peru -0.6 3.0 2.6 6.3 2.5 1.9 Ecuador 2.4 0.3 1.2 2.2 1.9 2.2 Venezuela 4.0 3.0 3.0 337.5 59.6 71.7 Bolivia 3.1 1.6 2.2 2.6 4.3 4.2 Paraguay 4.7 3.8 3.8 4.6 3.8 4.0 Uruguay 0.4 3.2 3.0 5.9 4.9 5.4 Latin America and the Caribbean 2.2 2.1 2.5 14.8 16.8 8.5

22-Oct-2024

A practical approach to energy could support EU competitiveness – GIE

EU energy policy must be less ideological in next five years, GIE conference hears Lowering high energy prices, which harm industry, a key goal for incoming Commission Commissioner confirmation hearings to take place 4-12 November MUNICH (ICIS)–The incoming European Commission must move away from ideological energy policy if it hopes to stabilize prices and keep industry competitive, delegates heard at the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) conference in Munich on 17-18 October. However, despite an announced focus on a ‘clean industrial deal’, doubts remain that Europe can apply the lessons learned from the energy crisis. Speaking to ICIS on the sidelines, Tsvetelina Penkova, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s energy and industry committee said the thought the upcoming commissioner hearings would be “dynamic”, though she hoped the meetings would be constructive rather than unpleasant. Nominated commissioners must be confirmed by the European Parliament before they can take up their roles. Hearings are scheduled for 4-12 November. “The problem is quite a lot of topics are overlapping [in commissioners’ portfolios], so it’s very difficult to distinguish exactly the area of expertise,” she said, citing concerns over who would ultimately be responsible for decisions and the time involved if multiple people sign off policies. Penkova told delegates that fluctuations in energy prices between different regions harmed competitiveness and energy security. The discrepancy “really depends on the energy source that’s being used at the moment,” she said, as a lack of proper grid interconnections created bottlenecks, and without fixing this Europe’s energy landscape would remain dominated by local, regional or national solutions. The topic of surging heatwave-driven power prices experienced in central and southeastern Europe also dominated a meeting of EU energy ministers in Luxembourg on 15 October. Penkova called for energy resilience as well as a diversity of sources, including renewables, hydrogen, ammonia and other carriers, alongside storage and flexibility solutions. “We must understand that dependency only on one single sector or energy source is naive. That’s definitely not going to work,” she said. GIE president-elect Arno Bux stressed to delegates that gas infrastructure would remain vital for decades to come, citing nascent hydrogen, biomethane and carbon dioxide markets. “We all know pipelines … are by far the most efficient way to transport and store energy,” he said. But the industry was hindered by 1990s-era regulation, Bux said, which failed to foresee the need to maintain and expand infrastructure under uncertain conditions or the costs involved. NUCLEAR SCEPTICISM? Penkova dismissed concerns over nuclear skepticism previously voiced by the nominees for energy commissioner, Denmark’s Dan Jorgensen, and executive vice-president Teresa Ribera from Spain, tasked with delivering the ‘clean, just and competitive transition’. Noting that the parliament considered nuclear generation as strategic and sustainable technology, Penkova told ICIS she didn’t foresee any change in Europe’s policy, but instead hoped for better integration. “When we’re speaking of nuclear waste, we shouldn’t be looking only [at] the countries that are producing nuclear energy, but also at countries that are consuming [it], because we are all part of the waste creation,” she said. CLEAN AND INDUSTRIAL Ilaria Conti, gas expert and coordinator for strategy and development at the Florence School of Regulation, told delegates it was important the EU had not watered down its commitment to decarbonize, instead aiming to use industry as the “engine” of the transition. The shift followed the results of European parliamentary elections in June, which saw a perceived backlash against green policies. "The election results forced people to realise that achieving climate neutrality targets on time but losing the economy and the electorate along the way was unhelpful, " said Niko Bosnjak, head of policy and communication at the German grid operator OGE. Bosnjak said he worried that there was less urgency for policymakers to act since the pressure had eased, despite net-zero goals rapidly approaching. “I’m afraid we’re getting into the regular slump that we’ve been in before. I’m not saying I’m all for crises, ok? I think no one wants that, but we need to do better a better job in translating the learnings,” he said. For example, Bosnjak wondered why there was not middle ground between the 9-month construction of an LNG-import pipeline during the crisis and the return to an average of 6-8 years to build infrastructure. Conti said she thought plans to make the Commission more interdependent was “actually in my opinion a very smart move by Ursula von der Leyen.” The overlapping briefs would hopefully force incoming commissioners to cooperate, Conti said, breaking down past silos where each commissioner focused only on their own portfolio.

22-Oct-2024

INSIGHT: ‘Bridge’ countries bring new opportunities as global trade flows fragment – Bertschi

BARCELONA (ICIS)–Changing trade flows driven by increasing friction between China, the US and their allies mean there will be demand for new chemical logistics routes and infrastructure, according to the executive chairman of chemical logistics group Bertschi. As direct chemical exports from China to the US decline, and more trade barriers go up, countries in Eastern Europe, southeast Asia plus Mexico and Turkey are acting as a stopping off points for indirect exports, while new chemical manufacturing also springs up in these areas, said Hans-Jorg Bertschi. He said: “The geopolitical situation also plays an important role – there are two blocs now – western countries and the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China) led by China where we see a certain fragmentation of global trade. Chemical flows between China and the US are shrinking and we also now see a lot of triangulation trade where bridge countries in between take advantage of the situation.” Speaking on the side lines of the European Petrochemical Association’s annual conference in Berlin, he explained that China now transports a lot more chemicals to Mexico, where local manufacturers add value and then export finished goods to the US. Chemical producers – some from China – are building plants and businesses in Hungary and Turkey. There is also a flurry of activity in Morocco, India and Vietnam, which are all changing trade patterns around the globe, the executive believes. He said: “The reality is that new countries are emerging, which I call bridge countries between the blocs – some do not yet have the right chemicals infrastructure so here I would expect to see more investment in chemical logistics and supply chain infrastructure where there is growing local demand in addition to demand from regional fragmentation.” OTHER CHEMICAL TRADE FLOWS ALTER Bertschi pointed out that there is a clear increase of imports from the US to Europe based on the US feedstock advantage and growth of new-build facilities which are very efficient. “This has been going on for 3-4 years and will develop further. If you look at the average cracker size in Europe it’s about 350,000 tonnes/year whereas new world scale crackers are around 1 million tonnes/year. Also the average age of Europe’s crackers is 40-50… so I expect to see more closure announcements here, and more imports from the US, the Middle East and eventually from China.” CHEMICAL RECYCLING WILL DRIVE NEW LOGISTICS The chemical recycling sector is growing, with 83 projects in Europe alone recorded in the ICIS Recycling Supply Tracker – Chemical.  Globally the database records 173 sites and this nascent part of the chemical industry will create some completely new logistics requirements and trade flows according to Bertschi. He pointed out that the current linear model for chemical production just requires oil and gas to move mainly by pipeline to refinery and cracker sites. The finished products –  chemicals and polymers – are then distributed to downstream customers. The circular economy creates new flows of material which will require logistics support: “But now, with renewables, we have new flows of product which will require inbound logistics to deliver feedstocks into these plants. Pyrolysis oil will then be produced across regions which will require complex inbound logistics to refineries.” Bertschi has started placing storage centers near to crackers, plus heating and testing facilities for pyrolysis oil, which is a product of chemical recycling which can be used as a circular feedstock for chemical production. “This is not homogenous – it needs to be analysed before it is put into a cracker.  Previously just a pipe was needed but now complex inbound logistics will be required. We will import pyrolysis oil from across Europe and the US and some of this is already happening – this is at the beginning but it is becoming one of our growth drivers.” Interview by Will Beacham Image credit: Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock

22-Oct-2024

Latin America stories: weekly summary

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the week ended on 18 October. NEWSArgentina’s Rio Tercero shuts TDI plant on global oversupply Petroquimica Rio Tercero has shut its toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) plant in Cordoba on the back of global oversupply, a spokesperson for the Argentinian producer confirmed to ICIS on Tuesday. Brazil’s higher chemicals import tariffs kick off Brazil’s higher import tariffs on dozens of chemicals kicked off on Tuesday after the government published them on the Official Gazette late on Monday. Brazil’s Senate approves EU Reach-like rules to increase chemicals control Brazil’s Senate approved on 15 October the creation of a National Inventory of Chemical Substances aiming at “reducing negative impacts” of toxic chemicals on human and environmental health. PRICING Mexico PE domestic prices lower on weak demand, ample supplyDomestic polyethylene (PE) prices dropped in Mexico due to weak demand and ample supply. In other Latin American countries, prices were unchanged. Brazil hydrous and anhydrous ethanol sales surgeIn Brazil, 1.73 billion liters of hydrous ethanol were sold by Center-South units, representing a 4.36% increase over the same period in the previous harvest. This expansion demonstrates the domestic market's ongoing need for hydrous ethanol. Dow plans maintenance at LLDPE unit in Argentina – sourcesDow is having a scheduled maintenance at its linear 310,000 tonne/year low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plant in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, until 5 November, according to market sources. Chile, Peru international PP prices drop on lower Chinese offers International polypropylene (PP) prices dropped in Chile and Peru on the back of lower offers from China. Chinese offers retreated this week, after rising the previous week due to higher crude oil prices.

21-Oct-2024

PODCAST: Waste collection, chemical recycling and investment in recycling for low carbon solutions

LONDON (ICIS)–Join global analyst team lead for recycling Helen McGeough as she looks ahead to the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference on 7 November in Berlin and tells Matt Tudball what she's looking forward to seeing from the diverse group of topics and presenters, including: Waste collection challenges and developments ICIS study on penetration rates of recycling in the wider virgin polymer market Chemical Recycling and its impact on the market Investment in recycling for low carbon solutions Prices of feedstocks impacting the recycled polymers chains 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference | Europe Hotel Palace Berlin, Germany | Conference: 7 November Training: 6 November You will be able to hear from out ICIS experts on the following session: Set the scene with ICIS: The European plastics recycling market landscape Panel discussion: Waste collection challenges and developments ICIS insight on pricing trends for plastics, mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil To discover more and register you place click here > https://events.icis.com/website/11605/home/

21-Oct-2024

Energy transition plan reset needed with renewed focus on Asia – Aramco President

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser on Monday called for a new energy transition plan that considers the needs of all countries, specifically those in Asia and the broader Global South, amid growing oil demand. Single one size fits all plan for every country is unrealistic – Nasser Transition will be a costly affair, with an estimated $100-200 trillion required globally by 2050 World not yet at peak oil demand “This may be Asia’s century. But Asia’s voice and priorities, like those of the broader Global South, are hard to see in current transition planning, and the whole world is feeling the consequences," Nasser, the President and CEO of Aramco, told delegates at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) conference in Singapore. "Transition progress is far slower, far less equitable, and far more complicated than many expected… Our main focus should be on the levers available now.” Each country needs to choose an energy mix that helps them meet their climate emissions “at a speed and a manner that is right for them”, Nasser said. Asia, accounting for over half of the world’s energy supplies, still relies on oil and gas for 84% of its energy needs. Alternatives are mostly meeting consumption growth, not displacing demand for oil and gas, he said. Furthermore, large segments such as heavy transportation and petrochemicals have few economically viable alternatives to oil and gas. Instead of forgoing conventional energy, Nasser encouraged countries to invest in these “proven and reliable” energy sources that developing nations need and can afford. At the same time, the world needs to invest in technologies that will reduce the cost of renewables and that can compete in price and performance. “We need to provide… energy that is secure, affordable, and sustainable. You cannot talk about sustainability without making sure you ensure security and affordability,” he said. On energy transition costs, Nasser said: “Transition will be expensive for everyone, with estimates of between $100 and $200 trillion required globally by 2050." "For developing countries, almost $6 trillion may be required each year. Moreover, in a transition that requires staggering amounts of front-end capital investment, the cost of capital is more than twice as high in developing countries where the need is greater.” GLOBAL SOUTH OIL DEMAND TO CONTINUE GROWTH TRAJECTORYEven though oil growth has plateaued in some mature economies, such as the EU, the US, and Japan, they still consume large amounts of oil, Nasser said. “While US oil consumption is roughly 22 barrels per person per year, and the EU is around 9 barrels, it is 2.4 barrels in Vietnam, 1.4 barrels in India, and only 1 barrel in Africa,” Nasser said. This means that oil demand will continue to grow in the Global South, he said. Currently, the world is consuming “record amounts of oil”, at 100 million barrels, or 80% of energy, compared to 84% thirty years ago. More than 100 million barrels per day will realistically still be required by 2050, a stark contrast to some predictions that oil will fall to 25 million barrels per day by then, Nasser said. “Being short 75 million barrels every day will be devastating for energy security and affordability,” Nasser added. Focus article by Jonathan Yee

21-Oct-2024

Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 18 October. China VAM exports may slow throughout October By Hwee Hwee Tan 14-Oct-24 16:55 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Persistent increases in China’s vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) domestic prices have pushed up spot export offers, dampening buying interest for Chinese cargoes in Asia this month. China Sept crude imports dips 0.6 on year; down 7.4% on month By Fanny Zhang 14-Oct-24 17:51 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s crude oil imports in September totaled 45.5 million tonnes, down by 0.6% year on year and lower by 7.4% from the previous month, official data showed on Monday. India Sept inflation at nine-month high; Aug industrial output shrinks By Priya Jestin 14-Oct-24 22:46 MUMBAI (ICIS)–India’s retail inflation hit a nine-month high of 5.49% in September, mainly on firmer food prices, while the country’s industrial output in August shrank for the first time in 22 months. Oil prices fall by more than $3/barrel on abating Mideast tensions By Nurluqman Suratman 15-Oct-24 14:57 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Oil prices fell by over $3/barrel on 15 October on moderating concerns over potential supply disruptions, following news that Israel may refrain from targeting oil facilities in Iran. Asia fatty alcohols demand to remain firm near term despite proposed EUDR delay By Helen Yan 15-Oct-24 16:41 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s fatty alcohol mid-cuts demand is expected to remain firm in the near term despite the proposed one-year delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Asian synthetic rubber discussions in limbo as buy-sell differences deepen By Ai Teng Lim 16-Oct-24 13:28 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Spot trade liquidity for Asian spot imports of various synthetic rubbers, from styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (PBR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-rubber (NBR), are tapering amid widening differences in near-term pricing outlook between buyers and sellers. Asia BG demand expected to stay weak in Q4 By Joy Foo 17-Oct-24 13:22 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The gap between China and southeast Asia butyl glycol (BG) import markets narrowed in October as lackluster demand has weighed down southeast Asia's import discussions. India petrochemicals demand subdued pre-Diwali; weak rupee effects unclear By Jonathan Yee 18-Oct-24 13:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–India's petrochemicals demand is losing momentum, hindered by the prolonged monsoon season, economic uncertainty, and volatile crude prices.

21-Oct-2024

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Keep up to date in today’s dynamic commodity markets with expert online and in-person training covering chemicals, fertilizers and energy markets.

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In today’s dynamic and interconnected chemicals markets, partnering with ICIS unlocks a vision of a future you can trust and achieve. We leverage our unrivalled network of chemicals industry experts to support our partners as they transact today and plan for tomorrow. Capitalise on opportunity, with a comprehensive market view based on trusted data, insight and analytics.

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