Expandable polystyrene (EPS) and polystyrene (PS)

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Singapore's petrochemical shipments rose by 26.5% year on year in April to Singapore dollar (S$) 1.34 billion, reversing the 3.6% decline in the previous month, official data showed on Friday. Overall exports of chemicals and chemical products in April fell by 34.5% year on year to S$3.59 billion, extending the 37% contraction in March, Enterprise Singapore said in a statement. The country's overall non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell by 9.3% year on year to S$13.9 billion, extending the 20.8% decline in the preceding month. Non-electronic NODX – which includes chemicals and pharmaceuticals – fell by 12.3% year on year to $10.9 billion in April following the 23.2% contraction in March. NODX shipments to the US and EU fell sharply in April, while exports to China rose last month. Singapore is a major manufacturer and exporter of petrochemicals in southeast Asia. Its petrochemicals hub Jurong Island houses more than 100 global chemical firms, including energy majors ExxonMobil and Shell. The drop in the country's NODX in April mirrors weaker manufacturing activity seen during the month. The country’s purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 50.5 in April from 50.7 in March, marking the eighth consecutive month that the reading has remained above the 50 mark, according to data from the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM). A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing economy, while a lower number denotes contraction. In a separate survey of private manufacturers, Singapore’s April PMI eased to 52.6 from 55.7 in March, financial information and services provider S&P Global said on 6 May. For the whole of 2024, Singapore's economy is expected to expand by 1.0-3.0%, compared with actual GDP growth of 1.1% growth in 2023, the ministry said. Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman

17-May-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Plastics producers in Rio Grande do Sul remain shut following the floods but are working under the “hypothesis” operations could normalize by the end of May, a full month after the floods hit the Brazilian state, trade group Abiplast said. As such, they have made calculations for losses in revenue during a month, since 29 April when the floods started until the end of May. According to the trade group, the estimated impact on plastics producers in the state could come up to Brazilian reais (R) 680 million ($132 million), or an estimated daily impact of R$23 million since the floods started on 29 April. Rio Grande do Sul and its petrochemicals hub in Triunfo, near the city of Porto Alegre, is home to 40% of Brazil’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) production capacities. Despite the end of May hypothesis, a spokesperson for the trade group conceded that as things stand – with hundreds of roads still blocked and workers unable to turn up for duty – to set a date for restart of operations would be premature, however. “Plastics transformers’ plant have stopped …The [estimated costs would include the] costs of potential renovations and recovery of assets in the areas degraded,” said Abiplast. “The main plastic products could also suffer price increases if there is an increase [in selling prices] by manufacturers.” Several petrochemicals companies based at the Triunfo production hub, near the state’s largest city of Porto Alegre, declared force majeure last week, including Brazil’s polymers major Braskem, Innova and Arlanxeo. Thai major Indorama’s subsidiary in Brazil said to ICIS it had suspended operations. Meanwhile, fertilizers players have said to ICIS demand could be hit considering the state’s prowess within Brazil’s large agricultural sector. Analysts at S&P Global have also said fertilizers could be greatly hit, although they said petrochemicals could be spare from a large impact if the situation normalizes in coming days or weeks, at most. TRIUNFO: KEY TO PLASTICSAccording to figures by Abiplast, Triunfo has production capacities of 740,000 tonnes/year for PP, and of 1.2 million tonnes/year for PE, with a large chunk of that belonging to Braskem, for whom the Triunfo facilities represent 30% of its production capacity in Brazil. Braskem is the sole manufacturer of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Its market shares in 2023 were about 56% and 70%, respectively, according to figures from the ICIS Supply and Demand Database. Brazil’s PP capacity is nearly 2 million tonnes/year, while PE capacity is about 3 million tonnes/year, of which 41% is high density polyethylene (HDPE), 33% is linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and 26% is low density polyethylene (LDPE). The Triunfo complex can produce 740,000 tonnes/year of PP, 550,000 tonnes/year of HDPE, 385,000 tonnes/year of LDPE and 300,000 tonnes/year of LLDPE. The company said last week it was confident it will be able to deliver material from its other sites in the country, but sources have pointed out some of the specialized PE grades are only produced at Triunfo, and feared a hit to supply and increasing prices if the disruption in Rio Grande do Sul prolongs. According to Abiplast, there are 1,428 plastic processing and recycling companies in Rio Grande do Sul, the second largest state in Brazil in number of plastic processing companies, behind Sao Paulo’s 5,200 companies. The state’s plastics sector employs 33,100, added the trade group. Their sales in 2023 stood at R8.2 billion, or 7.1% of the total revenue posted by Brazilian plastics processing industry of R117 billion. The tragedy has consumed the Brazilian government since the second week of the floods – after a rather slow response during the first days. Some analysts have described this as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s ‘Katrina moment’ as a reference to the poor handling of the Hurricane Katrina in the US in 2005 by former President George W Bush. Additional reporting by Bruno Menini Front page picture: A sign in Sao Paulo calling residents to collaborate in the floods relief effort Source: Jonathan Lopez/ICIS 

14-May-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Increases in crude oil supplies from outside the OPEC+ bloc of countries is expected to decline slightly year on year in 2025, with the US and Canada expected to remain the backbone of OECD production increases and Latin America driving the rest of the world, according to OPEC. The group projects that crude supply growth from countries that are not signed up to the declaration of cooperation (DoC)– encompassing OPEC member states and ally nations that have agreed to coordinated production cuts – will stand at 1.1 million barrels/day next year. Representing a modest decline from the 1.2 million barrel/day production growth OPEC projects for non-DoC nations this year, the 2025 increase is expected to drive total output from the region to 54.1 million barrels/day. The US is expected to drive a substantial proportion of the total production growth expected from non-DoC nations, representing nearly half of the total projected growth at 0.5 million barrels/day, while Canada is expected to increase output by an average of 0.2 million barrels/day. Latin America is expected to be the key source of non-OECD growth excluding OPEC+ countries, with output expected to grow 0.3 million barrels/day next year on average, a slight decline from the 0.4 million barrels/day projected for this year. Interest rates, inflation, geopolitics and reduced investment in exploration and production by oil majors as players seek to clip costs are all serving to cloud the picture on future demand and output, OPEC added. “The anticipated trajectory and pace of inflation's decline, particularly within the services sector, are poised to influence crude oil production costs going forward,” OPEC said in its monthly oil report. “The potential influence of the present limited investment commitment in upstream E&P projected for 2024 and 2025 on production levels remains uncertain amid an ongoing drive for efficiency and enhanced productivity throughout the industry,” the cartel added. The organization left its 2024 non-DoC oil supply, global demand and GDP forecasts unchanged from its April report, at 1.2 million barrels/day, 2.2 million barrels/day and 2.8% respectively. Thumbnail photo: An oil well in Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain. Source: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

14-May-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The entire Americas Styrenics (AmSty) joint venture (JV) is for sale, and not just Trinseo’s 50% stake, Trinseo CEO Frank Bozich said on Thursday. The company announced in March it started the process to sell its 50% in the styrene and polystyrene (PS) JV with Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem). During Trinseo’s Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Bozich clarified that the entire AmSty was for sale, not just Trinseo’s stake. He added that since the March announcement, Trinseo has seen indications of interest from a number of potential strategic and financial buyers. He did not name potential buyers or say how much money Trinseo expects from the sale. The process of “actively” marketing the JV has not yet started, he said. The JV agreement between Trinseo and CPChem includes a number “prescriptive elements” that need to be completed before a joint marketing of the JV begins, he said. Trinseo expects a deal with a buyer to be signed by early 2025 and will use the proceeds from its share from the sale of AmSty to pay down debt, he added. Trinseo is also trying to sell its wholly owned styrenics assets. The company's other businesses include Latex Binders, Base Plastics and Engineered Materials. Additional reporting by Al Greenwood Thumbnail shows a cup made of polystyrene. (Image by ICIS)

09-May-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the week ended on 3 May. NEWS Besieged by imports, Brazil’s chemicals put hopes on hefty import tariffs hike Brazilian chemicals producers are lobbying hard for an increase in import tariffs for key polymers and petrochemicals from 12.6% to 20%, and higher in cases, hoping the hike could slow down the influx of cheap imports, which have put them against the wall. Mexico’s manufacturing slows on weaker exports, Chinese competition Mexico’s manufacturing sectors slowed down slightly in April on the back of tough competition, particularly from China, and weak demand from abroad, which caused a fall in output, analysts at S&P Global said on Thursday. Brazil’s manufacturing at nearly three-year high on booming demand Brazil's manufacturing sectors continued booming in April on the back of a sharp increase in new business intakes, which led to higher output and job creation, analysts at S&P Global said on Thursday. Mexico increases PET import tariff again in attempt to shield economy In the last week of April, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador introduced an amended version of the Tariff within the General Import and Export Duties Law to enforce import duties, or temporary duties, on products falling under 504 tariff items, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin. These new duties will vary from 5% to 50%. Brazil's Braskem Q1 resin sales fall 5% yearly, on prioritizing sales with higher added value Braskem resin sales in its domestic Brazilian market dropped by 5% in Q1, year on year, on the back of prioritizing sales with higher added value in the period, the Brazilian petrochemicals major said on Friday in its quarterly production and sales report. INSIGHT: Six decades on, Brazil’s Unigel founder fights the ultimate battle The founder of Unigel, aged 87, is actively fighting the Brazilian chemicals and fertilizers producer’s most decisive battle, one for its survival, as it tries to restructure its debts, one step away from bankruptcy. PRICING Lat Am PE domestic prices fall in Argentina, Brazil on cheaper imports, soft demand Domestic polyethylene (PE) prices fell in Argentina and Brazil due to competition with cheaper imports and soft demand. In other Latin American countries, prices were unchanged. LatAm PP domestic prices fall in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico on lower feedstock costs, soft demand Domestic polypropylene (PP) prices fell in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico on the back of lower feedstock costs and soft demand.

06-May-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Eurozone industrial sector momentum sank further into contraction territory in April, to hit a four-month low as new orders declined by the sharpest rate seen in 2024. The eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for April slumped to 45.7 in April compared with 46.1 in March, a third month of consecutive declines, after jumping to 46.6 in January from 44.4 in December. Driven by still-bearish conditions in Germany, Austria, France and Italy which counterbalanced firmer growth in Greece and Spain, the figure represents the 22nd straight month of recession for the sector. A PMI score of above 50.0 signifies growth. On the plus side, factory output shrank at the slowest rate this year, delivery times shortened during the month and declines in manufacturer operating costs were the most modest seen in 2024. Released on Thursday by S&P Global, the data is in line with recent reports from the UK and the US, showing that manufacturing activity in both economies sank back into contraction territory last month. For the UK and US, March was the first month of tentative expansion in months, but since then demand in the US has softened and the Red Sea crisis has exacerbated declining output, new orders, employment and stocks of purchases in the UK. What is going to rescue the eurozone economy? Although it is a difficult question, one thing is clear: It’s not the manufacturing sector,” said Hamburg Commercial Bank chief economist Cyrus de la Rubia. “A plethora of evidence highlights the stark absence of demand, as evidenced by a rapid decline in new orders, unmatched in speed over the past four months and devoid of international support,” he added, noting that current conditions “portends a postponement of any semblance of recovery.” Thumbnail photo source: Photo source: Ying Tang/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

02-May-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Brazilian chemicals producers are lobbying hard for an increase in import tariffs for key polymers and petrochemicals from 12.6% to 20%, and higher in cases, hoping the hike could slow down the influx of cheap imports, which have put them against the wall. For some products, Brazil’s chemicals trade group Abiquim, which represents producers, has made official requests for the import tariffs to go up to a hefty 35%, from 9% in some cases. On Tuesday, Abiquim said several of its member companies “are already talking about hibernating plants” due to unprofitable economics. It did so after it published another set of somber statistics for the first quarter, when imports continued entering Brazil em masse. Brazil’s government Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Camex) is concluding on Tuesday a public consultation about this, with its decision expected in coming weeks. Abiquim has been busy with the public consultation: it has made as many as 66 proposals for import tariffs to be hiked for several petrochemicals and fertilizers, including widely used polymers such polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), or expandable PS (EPS), to mention just a few. Other chemicals trade groups, as well as companies, have also filed requests for import tariffs to be increased. In total, 110 import tariffs. HARD TO FIGHT OFFBrazil has always depended on imports to cover its internal chemicals demand, but the extraordinary low prices coming from competitors abroad has made Brazil’s chemicals plant to run with operating rates of 65% or lower. More and more, the country’s chemicals facilities are becoming white elephants which are far from their potential, as customers find in imported product more competitive pricing. Considering this dire situation and taking into account that the current government in Brasilia led by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva may be more receptive to their demands, Abiquim has put a good fight in publica and private for measure which could shore up chemical producers’ competitiveness. This could come after the government already hiked import tariffs on several products in 2023 and re-introduced a tax break, called REIQ, for some chemicals which had been withdrawn by the previous Administration. While Brazil’s chemicals production competitiveness is mostly affected by higher input costs, with natural gas costs on average five times higher than in the US, the industry is hopeful a helping hand from the government in the form of higher import tariffs could slow down the flow of imports into Brazil. As a ‘price taker region’ given its dependence on imports, Latin American domestic producers have taken a hit in the past two years. In Brazil, polymers major Braskem is Abiquim’s commanding voice. Abiquim, obviously, has always been very outspoken – even apocalyptic – about the fate of its members as they try to compete with overseas countries, namely China who has been sending abroad product at below cost of production. The priorities in China’s dictatorial system are not related to the balance of markets, but to keep employment levels stable so its citizens find fewer excuses to protest against the regime which keeps them oppressed. Capitalist market dynamics are for the rest of the world to balance; in China’s dictatorial, controlled-economy regime the priority is to make people feel the regime’s legitimacy can come from never-ending economic growth. The results of such a policy for the rest of the world – not just in chemicals but in all industrial goods – is becoming clear: unprofitable industries which cannot really compete with heavily subsidized Chinese players. The results of such a policy in China are yet to be seen, but subsiding at all costs any industry which creates employment may have debt-related lasting consequences: as they mantra goes, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” Abiquim’s executive president urged Lula’s cabinet to look north, to the US, where the government has imposed hefty tariffs on almost all China-produced industrial goods or raw materials for manufacturing production. “[The hikes in import tariffs] have improved the US’ scenario: despite the aggressive advance in exports by Asian countries, the drop in US [chemicals] production in 2023 was of 1%, while in Brazil the index for production fell nearly by 10%,” said Andre Passos. “The country adopted an increase in import taxes of over 30% to defend its market from unfair competition. The taxation for some inputs, such as phenol, resins and adipic [acid], for example, exceeds three digits. “Here, we are suggesting an increase in rates to 20% in most claims … We need to have this breathing space for the industry to recover,” he concluded. As such, the figures for the first quarter showed no sign of imports into Brazil slowing down. The country posted a trade deficit $9.9 billion during the January-March period; the 12-month accumulated (April 2023 to March 2024) deficit stood at $44.7 billion. A record high of 61.2 million tonnes of chemicals products entered Brazil in Q1; in turn, the country’s industry exported 14.6 million tonnes. Abiquim proposals for higher import tariffs Product Current import tariff Proposed tariff Expandable polystyrene, unfilled, in primary form 12.6% 20% Other polystyrenes in primary forms 12.6% 20% Carboxymethylcellulose with content > =75%, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Other polyurethanes in liquids and pastes 12.6% 20% Phthalic anhydride 10.8% 20%  Sodium hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate) 9% 35% Copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefin, with a density of less than 0.94 12.6% 20% Other orthophthalic acid esters 11% 20% Other styrene polymers, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Other silicon dioxides 0% 18% Other polyesters in liquids and pastes  12.6% 20% Commercial ammonium carbonates and other ammonium carbonates 9% 18% Other unsaturated polyethers, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Polyethylene terephthalate, with a viscosity index of 78 ml/g or more 12.6% 20% Phosphoric acid with an iron content of less than 750 ppm 9% 18% Dinonyl or didecyl orthophthalates 11% 20% Poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with other substances, obtained by suspension process 12.6% 20% Poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with other substances, obtained by emulsion process 12.6% 20% Methyl polymethacrylate, in primary form  12.6% 20% White mineral oils (vaseline or paraffin oils) 4% 35% Other polyetherpolyols, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Other unfilled epoxy resins in primary forms 12.6% 20% Silicon dioxide obtained by chemical precipitation 9% 18% Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber in plates, sheets, etc 11% 35% Other organic anionic surface agents, whether or not put up for retail sale, not classified under previous codes 12.6% 23% Phenol (hydroxybenzene) and its salts 7% 20% Fumaric acid, its salts and esters 10 ,8% 20% Plasticizers and plastics 10 ,8% 20% Maleic anhydride 10 ,8% 20% Adipic acid salts and esters 10 ,8% 20% Propylene copolymers, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Adipic acid 9% 20% Unfilled polypropylene, in primary form 12.6% 20% Filled polypropylene, in primary form 12.6% 20% Methacrylic acid methyl esters 10 ,8% 20% Other ethylene polymers, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Acrylic acid 2-ethylhexyl esters 0% 20% 2-Ethylexanoic acid (2-ethylexoic acid) 10. 8% 20% Other copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Other unfilled polyethylenes, density >= 0.94, in primary forms 12.6% 20% Polyethylene with a density of less than 0.94, unfilled 12.6% 20% Other saturated acyclic monoalcohol acetates, c atom <= 8 10. 8% 20% Polyethylene with a density of less than 0.94, with filler 12.6% 20% Triacetin 10. 8% 20% Sodium methylate in methanol 12.6% 20% Stearic alcohol (industrial fatty alcohol) 12.6% 20% N-butyl acetate                              11% 20% Stearic acid (industrial monocarboxylic fatty acid) 5% 35% Alkylbenzene mixtures 11% 20% Organic, non-ionic surface agents 12.6% 23% Ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solution 0.0% 15% Monoethanolamine and its salts 12.6% 20% Isobutyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-propanol) 10.8% 20% Butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) 10.8% 20% Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), food grade as established by the Food Chemical Codex, in primary forms 10.8% 22% Styrene                                9% 18% Hexamethylenediamine and its salts 10.8% 20% Latex from other synthetic or artificial rubbers 10.8% 35% Propylene glycol (propane-1, 2-diol) 10.8% 20% Preparations 12.6% 20% Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids and their salts 12.6% 23% 4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A, diphenylolpropane) and its salts 10.8% 20% Dipropylene glycol 12.6% 20% Butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) 10.8% 20% Ethyl acetate                                 10.8% 20% Methyl-, ethyl- and propylcellulose, hydroxylated 0.0% 20% Front page picture: Chemical production facilities outside Sao Paulo  Source: Union of Chemical and Petrochemical industries in the state of Sao Paulo (Sinproquim) Focus article by Jonathan Lopez Additional information by Thais Matsuda and Bruno Menini

30-Apr-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China's manufacturing activity expanded for a second month in April amid improved overseas demand, but the rate of expansion weakened amid higher production costs, official data showed on Tuesday. China’s April manufacturing purchasing manager's index (PMI) moderated to 50.4 in April from 50.8 in March, but remained in expansion territory, indicating that the recovery of industrial activity will continue into the second quarter, data from to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing economy, while a lower number denotes contraction. The production subindex rose to 52.9 in April from 52.2 in March, hitting a 13-month high, while both new orders and new export orders remained in expansion, indicating that the demand recovery seen in March "was not just a blip", Dutch banking and financial services firm ING said in a note. “Though economic activities continued to expand, more manufacturers are facing higher costs,” said senior NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe. “The new order index and new export order index for industries including automobiles and electrical machinery and equipment are both above 53, indicating domestic and foreign market demand in related industries has increased.” The employment sub-index was little changed but remained in contraction for the 14th consecutive month, as there continues to be a mismatch between hiring demand and the labor supply, it said. Separately, a joint private-sector survey conducted by Chinese media group Caixin and S&P Global of Chinese manufacturers rose to 51.4 in April from 51.1 in March, marking the sixth successive monthly improvement, with growth the most pronounced in 14 months. The April reading was the highest since February last year as manufacturers’ output and total new orders continued to grow, with the corresponding subindexes reaching new highs since May 2023 and February 2023, respectively. “Price levels remained low. Although the gauge for input costs reached a six-month high, the cost increase was limited," said Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group. Improved supplier logistics in April led to shorter delivery times, encouraging manufacturers to increase purchasing and build larger inventories of raw materials and finished goods, he said. “China’s economic performance in the first quarter surpassed market expectations, with steady growth in manufacturing and a gradual recovery in consumption," Wang said. "Across different product categories, consumer goods were no longer the best performer as investment goods gained momentum in April with increased production and sales, showing signs of the improved downstream gradually benefiting upstream markets." Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman

30-Apr-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Eurozone private sector activity continued to thaw in April, moving further into growth territory as a resurgent service sector offset a manufacturing industry sinking deeper into contraction. North-south divide eases as Germany, France condition improve Manufacturing sector weakens in eurozone, UK Input cost inflation likely to pressure European Central Bank The eurozone composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the month firmed to 51.4, a substantial increase from 50.3 in March and the highest level in nearly a year, as the bloc continued to gradually lift out of a protracted downturn. A PMI score of above 50.0 signifies growth. The north-south divide that has characterised recent months, with Mediterranean nations firming while Germany and France remained mired in contraction, eased during the month, with more-broad-based momentum among key economies. Germany returned to growth during the month, while France came close to stabilising, according to PMI data provider S&P Global. Momentum also continued to build for the UK economy, which hit an 11-month high of 54.0, despite the manufacturing sector slipping back into recessionary territory at 49.1, with momentum also sinking for producers in the eurozone. At 45.6, the eurozone manufacturing sector PMI reading represented a four-month low and the 13th consecutive month of contraction, although the industry outlook was buoyed by signals of firmer demand driven by the global inventory cycle. Price pressures intensified slightly during the month as average input costs across the goods and services sector saw the fastest combined increase over the past year after cooling in March. Despite manufacturing sector input pricing remaining on contraction footing, the decline was the smallest in 14 months. Higher cost and sales price inflation is likely to be noted by the European Central Bank’s monetary policy committee, according to Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, which helps to assemble the eurozone PMI dat. Odds are still strong for the first interest rate cuts to fall in  June, he added, but the price increases are likely to present a stronger challenge to the decision, and potentially slow the cadence of additional reductions. “The PMI figures are poised to test the ECB's willingness to cut interest rates in June. Accelerated increases in input costs, likely driven not only by higher oil prices but also, more concerningly, by higher wages, are a cause for scrutiny,” he said. “Concurrently, service sector companies have raised their prices at a faster rate than in March, fuelling expectations that services inflation will persist. Despite these factors, we expect the ECB to cut rates in June. However, we… expect a more cautious approach,” he added. Consultancy Oxford Economics also expects the first rate cut to come in June despite the growing evidence of stronger upward pressure on inflation. “The increase in output prices remains above its long-term average, driven by the services sector, but we do not think sticky services prices will prevent the ECB from cutting rates in June,” said Oxford senior economist Leo Barincou. Despite the ongoing disruption in the Red Sea, supply chains continued to tighten, with manufacturing supplier delivery times falling for the third consecutive month as a result of fewer shipping delays. A steep reduction in input purchases by eurozone manufacturers also eased pressure on logistics. Early second-quarter conditions point so far to a 0.3% expansion in eurozone GDP and a 0.4% uptick in for the UK compared to the first three months of the year, according to the data. Focus article by Tom Brown. Thumbnail photo: A statue of a bull outside the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, Netherlands (Source: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)

23-Apr-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the week ended on 19 April. NEWS Brazil’s Petrobras, China’s CNCEC mull petchems, fertilizers joint projects Petrobras and China’s chemicals major CNCEC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore petrochemicals and fertilizers joint projects, the Brazilian state-owned energy major said on Thursday. INSIGHT: Argentina’s petchems hit hardest by recession as country holds breath under Milei Argentina’s petrochemicals are taking a severe hit amid the recession, with falls in demand for some materials of up to 50%, but companies and the country are holding firm under the new President’s economic shock therapy. Brazil's Petrobras re-enters fertilizers sector with restart at ANSA plant Petrobras is to restart its large-scale ANSA fertilizers plant in Araucaria, state of Parana, which has been idle since 2020, the Brazilian state-owned energy major said late on Wednesday. Pemex to remain ‘fiscal challenge’ for Mexico's new administration – S&P Beleaguered finances at Pemex, the Mexican state-owned energy major, will require support from the federal budget for years to come, the analysts at S&P said this week. Argentina’s lower rates helping central bank shore up balance sheet at savers’ expense – economist Argentina’s latest cut to interest rates had more to do with shoring up the central bank’s balance sheet, possible thanks to currency controls implemented by the prior Administration, than the actual control of price rises, according to the director at Buenos Aires-based Fundacion Capital. Latin America's fiscal consolidation at risk of slippages as plans postponed – IMF Latin America’s countries high debt levels require fiscal consolidation plans which in some cases are being postponed, increasing risks for the long-term financial stability of the region, the Director of the Western Hemisphere Department at the IMF said on Friday. Chile inflation falls to 3.7% in March Chile’s annual inflation rate fell in March to 3.7%, down from 4.5% in February, according to the country’s statistics office INE. Brazil’s automotive output barely up in Q1, sales rise 9% Brazil’s petrochemicals-intensive automotive output rose by 0.4% in the first quarter, year on year, to just below 550,000 units, the country’s trade group Anfavea said on Monday. LatAm PE domestic price lower in Chile on cheaper US export offers Domestic polyethylene (PE) prices were assessed lower in Chile because of cheaper US export offers. In other Latin American (LatAm) countries, prices remained steady. Latin America’s February lube demand holds steady Lube demand in Latin America was relatively steady in February at a time of year when consumption typically falls in other markets like the US and Europe. The steady consumption coincided with lower base oils output in the region in February. LatAm PP international prices stable to up on higher freights from Asia International polypropylene (PP) prices were assessed as stable to higher because of increased freight rates from Asia to the region. However, Asian offers remain competitive compared to other origins like the Middle East and the US. Plant status: Dow Argentina shuts HDPE and LDPE plants on technical issues – sources US chemicals major Dow’s subsidiary in Argentina shut on 16 April a high density polyethylene (HDPE) plant due to a mechanical pump failure and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant due to technical failure, several sources said. Weather conditions starts to slightly shift PET demand in Latin America Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices remained stable in Brazil, with a slight softening in consumption coinciding with stabilized temperatures. However, demand continues to exceed expectations when compared with the corresponding period last year. Weather conditions starts to slightly shift PET demand in Latin America Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices remained stable in Brazil, with a slight softening in consumption coinciding with stabilized temperatures. However, demand continues to exceed expectations when compared with the corresponding period last year.

22-Apr-2024