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 22 September 2017.

Asia BD may fall as China domestic market weakens pre-holiday
Spot butadiene (BD) prices in Asia may fall in the near term as sentiment has turned bearish amid a weakening domestic market in China ahead of the country’s week-long holiday in October.

GCC PMDI at record highs; may extend gains on tight supply
Spot import prices of polymeric methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (PMDI) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rose to fresh record highs after rising for four straight weeks amid a shortage of available spot cargoes.

Asian SAN prices up on upstream gains; upside potential limited
Asia styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) prices hit 3-month high, supported by strong upstream gains during the period, although thin buying interest may dampen upside potential, market participants said on Friday.

China BD under pressure on unexpected supply, softening demand
China’s butadiene (BD) spot prices suddenly fell on an unexpected supply from a major local producer and the trend is likely to be bearish ahead of national day holidays in the first week of October, market sources said on Thursday.

Asia SBR may be near peak as NR falls; China retreats before holidays
Asia styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) spot prices may be near peak because of falling natural rubber (NR) price and weakened SBR domestic prices in the key China market.

Asia R-PET under pressure from oversupply as China restricts imports
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) prices in Asia are under pressure from oversupply, stemming from China’s decision to ban imports of waste plastics by the end of the year.

Asia caustic soda seen stable-to-firm; supply to stay tight
Caustic soda prices in Asia are expected to be stable-to-firm in the near term due to continued tightness in spot cargo supply in the region.