Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 25 August 2017.

Asia, GCC TDI prices poised to hit new record highs
Spot prices of toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are set to break new record highs if the current uptrend continues next week, tracking similar moves in Asian TDI prices.

China methanol import prices surpass $300/tonne mark
China’s import prices for methanol crossed the $300/tonne mark this week, hitting their highest levels in more than four months, in line with gains in the futures market.

Asia SM trending up on healthy demand, buyers resist
Asia styrene monomer (SM) prices remain on an uptrend supported by firm demand for prompt cargoes though buyers are resisting saying it is hard to pass on the costs to downstream markets.

Southeast Asia biodiesel may firm but US duties cloud outlook
Prices of palm methyl ester (PME) biodiesel in southeast (SE) Asia are expected to be supported in the near term by firm feedstock palm oil values, but the market outlook is clouded by the US’ decision to impose antidumping duties on imports from Indonesia, market sources said on Thursday.

LAB suppliers to India adopt bullish outlook in September
India’s linear alkylbenzene (LAB) spot price outlook is bullish as sellers try to increase prices to account for higher feedstock costs although demand is not expected to be firm enough to absorb further price gains.

Asia SBR may surge in September on soaring BD costs
Spot styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices in Asia may spike on the back of surging costs of feedstock butadiene (BD) and improved demand, as well as market gains in rival product natural rubber (NR).

Asia etac surges 13% over six weeks; stays supported near term
Asia’s ethyl acetate (etac) prices have been on a steady uptrend in the last six consecutive weeks on the back of tight supply, and will likely be buoyed up in the near term by firm values of feedstock ethanol, market players said.

China BDO imports to remain subdued amid lower domestic prices
China’s imports of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) are likely to remain curtailed in the near term amid availability of local material at lower prices, market sources said on Tuesday.

China H2 crude imports to stay robust as local output shrinks
China will continue to import strong volumes of crude in the second half of the year due to shrinking domestic production and as the world’s second-biggest economy is beefing up its reserves, industry sources said.

China Q3 imports of US LPG to remain low on poor margins
Shipments of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from US to China are expected to remain limited in the third quarter as the arbitrage window may still remain shut amid strong US domestic demand and weak China prices, industry sources said on Monday.