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HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 24 May. Canada freight rail strike unlikely to begin before mid-July, rail carrier says A possible freight rail strike in Canada is not likely to begin before mid-July, according to rail carrier Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). DuPont flags $60 million in dis-synergies from break-up, assures on PFAS liabilities DuPont expects about $60 million in dis-synergies from its break-up into three independent publicly traded companies, CEO Ed Breen and CFO Lori Koch told analysts in a conference call on Thursday. US tariff hikes on China EVs, batteries take effect 1 August Starting August, US tariffs on imports of electric vehicles (EVs) from China will quadruple to 100%, while those for battery materials will more than triple to 25%, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said. US DuPont to separate electronics and water businesses DuPont plans to separate its electronics and water businesses into two publicly traded companies, the US-based specialty chemicals producer said on Wednesday. Mexico’s Tamaulipas drought hits some chemicals producers as water supply halved A severe drought affecting Mexico’s sate of Tamaulipas has prompted an order to halve water supply to chemicals and other industrial companies, although some chemicals producers have said to ICIS they are operating normally. PPG to build new US paint plant, invest in existing two sites PPG plans to spend $300 million to build a new plant in the US and to make investments at existing sites in North America, the paints and coatings producer said on Tuesday. Brazil’s Braskem restart at Triunfo to kick off petchem hub normalization Braskem has restarted operations at its Triunfo facility in the flood-hit state of Rio Grande do Sul, which will allow other players in the petrochemicals hub to start up their plants as many depend on input from the Brazilian polymers major to operate.

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the week ended on 24 May. NEWS Brazil’s Triunfo petchems restart odd one out as wider industry still disrupted – consultant Most of Rio Grande do Sul’s industrial plants remain shut or operating at very low rates as the Brazilian state reels from the floods, with the restart at the Triunfo petrochemicals hub an exception rather than the norm, a chemicals consultant at MaxiQuim said to ICIS. Mexico’s Orbia/Vestolit’s Altamira plant ceases operations due to water scarcity Orbia/Vestolit ceased operations at its Altamira, Tampico facilities in Mexico on 21 May due to water scarcity. The company operates there a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) facility with a production capacity of 690,000 tonnes/year. The company estimates it could resume activity on 19 June. SABIC declares force majeure at Tampico Mexico ABS plant SABIC Innovative Plastics Mexico (SABIC) declared force majeure at its Tampico, Mexico acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plant on 23 May. The products affected include CYCOLAC ABS.  This facility has a capacity of 30,000 tonnes. Mexico’s Q1 GDP grows 0.3%, economic activity remains healthy in MarchMexico’s GDP rose by 0.3% in Q1, an acceleration from Q4’s 0.1% quarterly growth, the country’s statistic office Inegi said on Thursday. Brazil’s antitrust authority paves way for Petrobras to shed refinery sales Brazilian state-owned energy major Petrobras has been allowed by the country’s antitrust authority CADE to backtrack on planned refinery sales. Argentina’s manufacturing down nearly 20% in March Argentina’s petrochemicals-intensive manufacturing output fell in March by 19.6% year on year, the country’s statistics office, Indec, said this week. Brazil’s Unigel creditors mull fertilizers divestment The debt restructuring agreement at Unigel, under which the Brazilian chemicals producer’s creditors are to take a 50% equity stake, could result in a divestment of the company’s beleaguered fertilizers division. Brazil’s Unigel to give creditors 50% equity stake in debt restructuring Unigel has obtained the support of enough creditors for a debt restructuring plan although it comes at a price as they will be getting a 50% equity stake in the Brazilian chemical and fertilizer producer. Brazil’s Braskem restart at Triunfo to kick off petchem hub normalization Braskem has restarted operations at its Triunfo facility in the flood-hit state of Rio Grande do Sul, which will allow other players in the petrochemicals hub to start up their plants as many depend on input from the Brazilian polymers major to operate. INEOS Styrolution declares force majeure at Altamira Mexico facility INEOS Styrolution declared force majeure at its facility in Altamira, Mexico, on 20 May. The products affected include Teluran ABS, Novodur High Heat ABS and Luran ASA. This facility has a capacity of 113,000 tonnes. Chile’s Q1 GDP up 2.3% on strong consumption, manufacturing up 1.1% The Chilean economy started 2024 on a strong footing with GDP growth in the first quarter at 2.3%, year on year, the country’s central bank said on Monday. Volkswagen, Stellantis idle car plants in Brazil, Argentina after floods Volkswagen (VW) idled its three plants in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo on Monday, as suppliers in the floods-hit state of Rio Grande do Sul are unable to produce any automotive parts, a spokesperson for the German automotive major told ICIS. PRICING LatAm PP international prices stable to up on higher Asian freights International polypropylene (PP) prices were assessed as steady to higher across Latin American countries due to the surge in freight rates from Asia to the region. LatAm PE domestic, international prices steady on sufficient supply, stable demand Domestic and international polyethylene (PE) prices were assessed unchanged this week across Latin American countries on the back of sufficient supply and stable demand.

MUMBAI (ICIS)–India and Iran are currently charting plans to acquire equipment and machinery to enhance the capacity and increase vehicular movement at Chabahar port, after the two countries signed a 10-year deal to develop part of the Iranian port. State-owned Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) and the Ports & Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran signed the agreement to develop and manage the Shahid-Behesti terminal at the Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran. “These efforts had been hampered in the past due to the US sanctions on Iran,” a source from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said, citing international sanctions imposed on the Middle Eastern country, which is suspected to be developing nuclear weapons. IPGL will invest around $120m in equipping the port, with India offering additional financing worth $250m for the development of mutually identified projects aimed at improving port infrastructure, the source said. Iran’s Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman consists of the Shahid Beheshti port, which will be developed by India, and the Shahid Kalantri port. “The long-term contract will further strengthen ties between the two nations and highlights the importance of Chabahar as a gateway for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries,” the shipping ministry said in an official announcement on 13 May. “The Chabahar Port has easy access to India’s west coast. The long-term contract will give a significant boost to economic activities and establish our growing role in developing global trade & commerce,” Indian shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted on social media platform X on 14 May. India imports methanol, bitumen, liquefied propane, inorganic/organic chemicals, among others from Iran; while it exports pharmaceuticals, rice, tea, sugar and fruits to the Middle Eastern country. The Chabahar project is part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi-modal transportation network of ship, rail and road route for moving goods between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. India and Iran had initially signed an agreement for the development of the port in 2003, but the project was stalled due to opposition from the US. The current deal replaces a 2016 agreement between the two countries that was being renewed periodically. IPGL, which took over operations at the Shahid Beheshti port in 2018, has handled more than 90,000 20-foot-equivalent units of container traffic and more than 8.4m tonnes of bulk and general cargo since then, the source from the shipping ministry said. The lack of a long-term agreement was, however, impacting investment by shippers and investors in the region. “The industry was initially uncomfortable about allowing its long-term supply chains to pass through Chabahar port as the Indian government did not have a long-term agreement with Iran for the port,” the official said. Negotiations for a long-term deal between the two countries had been stalled due to differences on several issues, including a disagreement on an international arbitration framework in case of disputes, he added. The Shahid Beheshti port is being developed in four phases; and on completion of all four phases, port capacity will be 82m tonnes/year, as per IPGL’s website. The first phase of the development was inaugurated in December 2017. Despite its potential, the Chabahar project could face hurdles due to the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran, the government source said. US state department spokesman Vedant Patel on 14 May warned of possible sanctions against those engaging with the Iranian government. Focus article by Priya Jestin

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 24 May. Brenntag CEO says Europe must play to its strengths Europe’s chemical sector is seeing a wave of commodity production closures, which is likely to accelerate as the region is suffering from structurally higher energy costs and depressed margins since it lost access to cheap Russian gas. Europe epoxy sentiment stable, Asia imports may face EU antidumping claim Europe epoxy resins prices have been mainly agreed with rollovers for May so far, in spite of a drop in feedstock costs this month. Speculation is also growing over EU anti-dumping claims against Asian imports. Europe naphtha and gasoline prices firm on improved liquidity, summer optimism Liquidity in Europe’s naphtha and gasoline markets improved in the week to 17 May as stable-to-soft prices encouraged buying appetite, just as the market is gearing up for an uptick in demand ahead of the summer holidays. Europe PE, PP contract prices down beyond monomer for May Europe’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) freely negotiated prices for May are down, with variance by grade

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets are expected to see some uncertainty in the coming months, with factors like China’s domestic demand, the impact of India’s monsoon and some policy changes likely to shape the landscape. June offers from Asian producers awaited Healthy SE Asian Q1 GDP growth to support PVC demand Low domestic demand in China encourages exports, especially to India In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Jonathan Chou, Damini Dabholkar and analyst Lina Xu discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia. (This podcast first ran on 8 May.) Visit us at Booth 13, Grand Ballroom Foyer, Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in South Korea. Book a meeting with ICIS here.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s industrial profits in April increased by 4.0% year on year, reversing the 3.5% contraction in March, official data showed on Monday. For the first four months of the year, industrial profits in the world’s second-biggest economy grew by 4.3%, unchanged from January-March, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. Manufacturing profit for the period rose by 8%, while utilities had a 36.9% increase in earnings, while mining registered 18.6% decrease on profits in the first four months. Computer, communication, and other electronic devices’ manufacturing had the strongest profit growth of 75.8% in January to April 2024; while profits for non-ferrous metal smelting and welding and power/ heat production and supply increased by 56.6% and 44.1%, respectively. Thirty-one out of the total 41 industries tracked by the NBS reported profit growth in January to April 2024. The share of industries that posted profit growth for the period increased to 75.6% from 68.3% in the first three months of the year. NBS said that “the foundation for such recoveries still needs to be strengthened as domestic market still lacks effective demand and external environment remains gloomy.” Thumbnail image: At Yantian port in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province in south China, 16 May 2024. (Shutterstock)

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s propylene market will continue to see weak demand, although potential curbs in plant run rates in China amid weak margins could lend market support. Downstream, China’s propylene oxide (PO) import demand may continue to be adversely impacted by domestic start-up capacities, while demand in the main downstream polyols sector is unlikely to recover in the second quarter. South Korea June-loading propylene volumes likely to increase month on month Domestic Chinese PO start-ups to keep domestic supply lengthy, hampering import demand Global PO supply ex-China remains tight; downstream polyols likely muted in Q2 In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Shannen Ng discuss trends in the Asian propylene and PO markets. (This podcast first ran on 9 May.) Visit ICIS during APIC ’24 on 30-31 May at Booth 13, Grand Ballroom Foyer of the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in South Korea. Book a meeting with ICIS here.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 24 May 2024. INSIGHT: Asia plasticisers producers brace for mounting selling pressure amid soaring freight rates By Julia Tan 24-May-24 12:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Recently surging freight rates have led to a largely pessimistic outlook for the Asia plasticisers spot market, particularly for producers who rely heavily on export sales, as higher freight rates will continue to keep selling pressure high as sellers find it difficult to move product out of the region. SE Asia PE June offers firmer due to shipment delays, tight supply By Izham Ahmad 24-May-24 11:16 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Initial spot import offers for June shipments of polyethylene (PE) in southeast Asia were announced mostly firmer so far in the week ending 24 May, with gains driven by tight supply, which is being aggravated by delays in cargo delivery from the Middle East. US tariff hikes on China EVs, batteries take effect 1 August By Fanny Zhang 23-May-24 13:37 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Starting August, US tariffs on imports of electric vehicles (EVs) from China will quadruple to 100%, while those for battery materials will more than triple to 25%, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said. Freight rates on China exports soar amid Red Sea crisis By Fanny Zhang 22-May-24 11:56 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Freight rates for China’s exports, including petrochemicals, have been spiking in recent weeks and are expected to remain firm in the next three to six months on the back of improving overseas demand and amid continued logistics disruptions in the Middle East. INSIGHT: China’s industrial activity gathers pace but lopsided April data clouds outlook By Nurluqman Suratman 21-May-24 12:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s industrial output grew by 6.7% year on year in April, signalling a further strengthening of its manufacturing sector, but weaker retail sales and bleak property data suggest that its overall growth momentum remains weak. INSIGHT: Asia MEG market continues to brace for headwinds By Judith Wang 20-May-24 20:17 SINGAPORE (ICIS)– Asia monoethylene glycol (MEG) market continues to face headwinds in the near term as it is grappling with the ample supply in China and soft global textile demand. Asia IPA supported by acetone strength; demand lagging By Joy Foo 20-May-24 14:13 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–After seeing a sharp increase in late April, tracking a surge in feedstock acetone cost, Asia’s isopropanol (IPA) spot prices have remained buoyant on cost support.